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Bringing food to a new neighbor used to be tradition in many parts of the world but things have changed over the years. Although it’s still perfectly acceptable to bring baked goodies to the family there are lots of new welcoming ideas to replace the old tradition. One is to make a tote with a few gifts from well-wishers in the neighborhood. There are many cute ways to decorate the tote. If you know the family’s name in advance use fabric markers to write a personal welcome on the bag. On one side it can say something like “Welcome to the Smiths” and on the other, “From Your Neighbors On Main Street”. If you don’t know the name a simple “Welcome” will do nicely. Choose to do one welcome bag for the entire family or one for each member of the family if you know how many there are.
Depending upon how many people want to be included in the offering of the tote you can use snapshots of each family to decorate the bag. Under the snapshots you can write the family’s name so the new people recognize the neighbors more rapidly. If you’re the only family making the bag use individual snapshots of the members of your family. Include your pet for a whimsical touch. Write the names of each family member under the photos. You can draw a copy of the street onto the bag and put house numbers on each one, draw swing sets, a sun and clouds, sidewalks and pets.
Include in the bag items you think the new family might need immediately. Local maps and area attraction brochures could come in handy. An address book with local hospital, emergency and neighbor’s numbers is a friendly and caring touch. A disposable camera, flashlight or can opener show your thoughtfulness. Often upon arriving at the new place the household items have yet to be unpacked and things are temporarily lost. In this case other handy items might be pen and paper, deck of cards, coupons for local restaurants or a tape measure.
Making a “Welcome Neighbor” bag doesn’t have to be expensive. Visit your local dollar store to fill the bag with trash bags, paper towels, paper plates, disposable utensils, scotch tape, rubber gloves, foil, plastic zipper bags, measuring cups or other thoughtful selections.
If the new neighbors have kids don’t leave them out. Toss in a bottle of bubbles, some coloring books and markers, a kite, craft items or other small gifts. If they have a pet don’t leave it out either. Dog or cat treats and little animal toys are good choices.
Other ideas for welcome bags can be more specific. For example, if there’s a bird bath or bird house in the yard offer the new neighbors a bag containing a small ceramic ornament for the bird bath along with birdseed and other related items.
Don’t give a gift that might thoughtlessly hurt the neighbors feelings. If the new place is a little sparse on grass, don’t offer them grass seed and fertilizer. Or if their shutters really need painting forego the notion of buying painting supplies. Although these aren’t cheap gifts the neighbors could get the idea that you’re sarcastic.
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