Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Welcome your new neighbours with a small gift and a friendly introduction. Learn how to break the ice and make lasting connections in your community.
Bringing gifts to the new neighbours that moved in on your street has many benefits.
Today, I want to talk about ways you can introduce yourself to new neighbours and bring them a small gift.
Being The New Neighbours
Being the new neighbours is sometimes awkward because you don’t know anyone on your street.
We’ve been living in our house since 2009, and both of our neighbours were here before us.
When we moved in, the couple next door came over and introduced themselves to us.
It was a great chat on a summer afternoon on the front porch, which turned into a BBQ dinner.
I became close friends with the guy on our left, as we would help each other when needed.
For example, if he went on vacation with his wife, we would care for his cat and feed our fish.
On numerous occasions, we’d both be in the backyard with our charcoal BBQ, drinking a beer.
We’d yap about what was new and anything general happening in the country.
Overall, he was a great friend, and his wife was charming.
Sadly, they just sold their house and moved to Japan.
Before they left, they told us about our new neighbours moving in.
He also gave us a cat tree stand, a BIG JOE chair our son loves, and a $600 snowblower.
Great people and it was a sad time for us both.
New Neighbours On The Right Of Us
We slowly got to know the neighbours on the right side of us, but they were very kept to themselves.
Unfortunately, the husband/father passed away shortly after we moved in.
He was the man who would keep the house running and try to hide what was happening.
It wasn’t long before we discovered what was happening, as many emergency vehicles would show up for the son.
His wife was a hoarder and loved to shop when she was in a manic state, which included two big purchases.
I never asked about those scary times we witnessed, but financially our neighbour was mortgage-free.
Over the years, as we got to know the new neighbours, we had many pleasant conversations.
She was a very soft-spoken PSW but avoided situations where anyone would be invited over.
We would bring her tomatoes and rhubarb in the summer because we couldn’t keep eating them.
She loved the little gifts; we were glad they made her smile.
Her house sold for $700,000 cash as-is, later resold to a couple for $755,000 as-is.
Overall, if they had cleaned out the house, our neighbours could have sold it for close to a million dollars.
That was never going to happen, and now we are just seeing why she was a new neighbour who was distant.
New Neighbours Cleaning Up The Mess
So far, the home’s new owners have filled three massive bins and figure they will need six.
They were almost gutting the house, and as it smelled of urine, there were four cats and one dog.
It wasn’t until moving day that Mrs. CBB went to say goodbye to her, and she handed us two freshly baked butter tarts.
Related: Homemade Keto Butter Tarts
Her daughter had a box of them and wanted to thank us for all the help.
It was a tearful moment because the family had gone through, but starting a new life was best.
She also told me to take the ladder off her husband’s wall and keep them.
It is worth a few hundred dollars, but she figured our new neighbours would toss them in the bin.
New Neighbours On Both Sides Of Us
Our neighbours sold their houses and have now moved within months of each other.
Two months ago, we introduced ourselves to our new neighbours on the left of us.
They are a younger couple in their 30s with no kids and struggled to buy a house.
First, they could not find one in their price range, and when they did, it was getting sold at $1at 00,000 over asking.
They had to borrow money from their parents to buy a home to get into the market.
Prices of houses everywhere are so far out of reach for anyone, and it’s not slowing down.
According to Re/Max’s housing market outlook report published Wednesday, sale prices are projected to increase by 9.2 per cent on average across the country in 2022.
CTV News Canada
A former Canadian Mortgage and Housing asAssociationEO says we’re not in a housing bubble.
“If demand is going up and supply is not, prices will go up, that’s not a bubble.
So it’s a question of what the future brings and whether there will be supply and demand coming back into balance and that’s a crystal ball question.”
Remax Canada
Last week, Mrs. CBB made a Cherry Bundt Cake and brought it to our new neighbours on the left.
We included a note with the cake to say welcome to the neighbourhood, and if they needed anything, ask.
They were thrilled to get the cake and later told us it was delicious and wanted the recipe.
Little things like that make us smile.
CuOurew neighbors on the left are renovating their home with new paint and flooring.
Our conversation had some promises of beers and BBQ, which was good.
Welcome Our New Neighbours On The Right
Just a few days ago, our new neighbours on the right sort of moved in.
They stayed a short-term rental as they sold their condo out of the city and needed somewhere to stay.
After the closing, we finally saw new neighbours and realized they had their work cut out.
After walking our son to school, they introduced themselves to us when we stepped outside.
We were off to a good start as they were very friendly and learned how wrong the house was inside.
They filled the bin in an hour; on the first clean-up day, a second was on the way.
One of the bedrooms upstairs took hours to clean, but they wanted one room to sleep in.
There was so much stuff, most of which could have been sold, but they had no time.
We had no interest in anything after we pledged to get rid of what we didn’t need in this house.
When Mrs. CBB and I pass, we don’t want our son left to clean out the house.
I offered to help them any way I could, and if they needed anything, just to let us know.
It was nice when the husband laughed and said. “I think we’re all going to get along.”
Gifts For Our New Neighbours On The Left
No bundt cake was involved in this scenario, but it was completely different.
Since many family members were helping to clear out the house, they were parking on the street.
We cannot park on the road overnight unless we call in the by-law for a permit.
Homeowners and renters are only allowed ten permit numbers per year to park on the road.
I invited four new neighbours to park in our driveway since we have an extra spot.
A ticket for parking on the road during the winter is something you don’t want as it’s pricey.
They were SO happy, and so were we.
That small gesture allowed us to welcome them to the neighbourhood.
We’re still working on something for them since they work day and night on the house.
Perhaps I’ll make Italian meatballs and pasta and bring it over for them with garlic bread.
Types Of Gifts To Give New Neighbours
Firstly, I want to say that having new neighbours could mean anyone on your street.
It doesn’t have to be who lives on thought or theft in an apartment building.
The idea is to welcome the neighbours to the street and offer any help if you’re available.
We let our neighbours know that a Nextdoor app connects the community.
The app is excellent because everyone chats about break-ins, free stuff, needed stuff, and events.
Let’s talk about ten gifts you can give your new neighbours after moving in.
Bake A Dessert For Your New Neighbours
Cherry cheesecake is among the most popular welcome gifts we would give new neighbours.
One CBB fan says she brings her new neighbours an apple crisp, which is a great idea.
We’ve made banana cake, kimchi, rhubarb bars, and various cookies and cakes.
- Cherry Cheesecake
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Scookies
- Biscotti
- Rum Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
Look on Pinterest, and you’ll find loads of recipe ideas.
You can also check out the Free Recipe Index, where I keep all my blog recipes.
Parking Spot
If you have extra space in your driveway, offer your new neighbours a spot to park, especially in the winter.
We offered our extra spot since they have two vehicles and a big bin in their driveway.
During the summer, parking on the road is permitted, but the gesture of offering may be a big gift,
Shovel Snow
Thanks to our friends who moved to Japan, we have a new snowblower.
Since our new neighbours are moving in and it’s snowing, I’ll take care of their driveway and sidewalk for them.
An older gentleman across the street from us takes his snowblower out and takes care of the sidewalks.
He can’t do it all, as we have about 50 houses on our street, but he does his best.
The plow came around one day, and I had to go to work.
It just happened that he was outside with his snowblower and came over to say hi.
He asked if I would like the end of the driveway taken care of to leave.
I gracefully said that would be excellent, sir.
That was the first time I had met him, and I’m glad I did.
He was such a kind man that both Mrs. CBB and I made him and his wife the best banana loaf and brought it over.
Plants or Flowers Make Great Gifts
I never have, but my next door neighbour did bring us one when we moved in.
She brought us a plant.
Stefanie P from CBB Facebook
Small, easy-to-manage plants like a money tree or succulents with a welcome letter or card will surely make your neighbour smile.
At Christmas, I bring a card and some baked goodies. I have always has pleasant neighbours.
In return we have received knitted items for our kids, garden vegetables at harvest and home made wine.
Kim T from CBB Facebook
We tend to make a few Christmas cookies over the holidays, along with Potato Donuts.
Our favourites are coconut balls, chocolate peanut butter balls, biscotti, and snowballs.
We’ve often gifted a small plate of treats to our neighbours, and they loved them.
Fruit and Vegetable Basket
We have many tomatoes, rhubarb, green peppers, and herbs during summer.
If you garden and have an abundance of extras, put a lovely basket together and bring them to your neighbour.
Wine and Preserves
Bringing wine or preserves to your new neighbours is a fantastic gesture, even if they don’t drink wine.
It’s more about welcoming them to the neighbourhood and saying hello.
My father-in-law made lots of wine and would give it to the neighbours, new or established.
I don’t make wine, but I love to make jam preserves and pickled beets, which are my favorite.
Any preserve, whether made or purchased, is something nice to give to your neighbour.
Below is a Strawberry preserve made each summer after picking strawberries from the fields.
Related: Mulberry Jam
Welcome Card or Handwritten Note
A welcome letter to your new neighbours is fantastic as it costs you nothing but paper and a pen.
A hat would dress up the look if you have fancy writing paper and envelopes.
Leaving a handwritten note in an envelope at their door will make them smile and feel welcomed.
Offer Your Help Moving In
If you see that your new neighbours have a big load to clean a house or mom over, offer your help.
Not everyone can afford to hire expensive movers, and two extra hands would be a blessing.
Bring Coffee, Tea, Donuts
If you notice your new neighbours have not moved in yet, perhaps they will enjoy homemade donuts.
They are easy to make, or you can stop by a donut shop to pick up a dozen, along with coffee and tea with all the extras on the side.
Recipe for Homemade Yeast Donuts or Copycat Tim Hortons Donuts
Snack Box Of Goodies
We’ve used Urth Box Organic Products and love the variety of snacks that arrive.
Urthbox also ships to the USA and Canada, making ordering easy.
When you’re busy, often it’s easier to grab a snack than to sit around eating a meal.
Focusing on Non-GMO, Organic, and Altural, I’ll surprise you monthly with Full-Size products from trustworthy brands perfect for your home, personal life, or office.
Gifting New Neighbours Is Different Today
It doesn’t have to be anything to eat, and perhaps society should start thinking of kindness,
Back in the 1950s, that’s what people did in my neighbourhood although that faded away in the 1960s.
I have one neighbour who has popped over a couple of times with a large casserole for no particular reason. –Thad T – CBB Facebook
As Thad points out, back in the ’50s, this was what people did for new and older neighbours.
I’m not sure why it faded away, but it only takes a little time to do something nice for someone.
If you’re worried about allergies or food dislikes, write a welcome letter or buy a welcome card.
Never expect anything in return; don’t be grumpy because nobody brought you a welcome gift.
Our new neighbours are great, and we hope to get to know them both and perhaps have a few laughs.
One last idea before I go is that if you can knit p, perhaps knit indoor slippers for the family.
Discussion: Have you ever received or given a gift to new neighbours?
Please feel free to leave me your comments below.
Mr.CBB