Remember when you moved into your new home? You were filled with excitement and a little apprehension. After all, moving is a big change. Will the people next door be friendly, or will you want to run back inside every time you hear their screen door open?
When we first moved into our house, our neighbors invited us over to their family BBQ and introduced us to all their relatives. We felt right at home and have been friends ever since.
Those neighbors recently moved away. Now it was our turn to welcome the new neighbors. We invited them for a BBQ. That became the start of a reciprocal exchange of home cooked meals and baked goods. These welcome to the neighborhood gifts will help make your new neighbors’ transition to their new environment smooth. Who knows? You might even make some life long friends.
1. Home Cooked Dinner
Best gift for new neighbors
Can you think of a better way to welcome your new neighbors than with a home cooked meal? They probably don’t know where they packed their kitchen stuff. And they don’t know where to get the best take out, if they are new to the area. But they did work up an appetite moving all those boxes. So get a casserole cookbook for yourself. Shop for ingredients. And mix up a one pan meal to bring over welcoming them to the neighborhood.
Pick up some heavy duty disposable casserole pans with lids. This way they won’t feel rushed to return your pan. The last thing you want is to give them extra work.
Then give them some eco-friendly compostable plates and utensils. This way they don’t have to wash the dishes, while still being environmentally friendly.
2. Welcome Journal
Welcome basket for new neighbors
Make a welcome gift basket by starting with a journal. This can be a neighborhood effort. Fill pages with recommendations for plumbers, electricians, day care, etc. Each neighbor can write a welcome message and contact info if they want. Include any tips or important things to know that will help them adjust to their new home.
You will need a basket. Some baskets come as a kit that include wrapping materials. Place the journal in it along with gift cards or coupons for local places. Throw in some emergency supplies like a roll of toilet paper and a pack of toothbrushes with toothpaste already on them.
3. Succulent Gift Box
Thoughtful welcome to the neighborhood gifts
Plants always give a homey feeling. Succulents are easy to care for even for those without a green thumb.
If you are a DIY person, you can make your own welcome gift. Get a flower pot in the size you want. Then get some acrylic paints and brushes to create a one of a kind gift. Add some dirt and a plant. I like to grow herbs, aloe, and spider plants, so I often take cuttings from these to share as gifts.
4. Meals in Jars
New neighbor gift ideas
It’s their first week in their house. They started unpacking the kitchen and bathroom but have not even thought about going to the grocery store yet. Give them a few meals in jars that require minimal preparation. Use one of these books for recipes.
Then stock up on jars. You may already have a lot of the ingredients you need in your pantry. If not, add them to your grocery list. Then mix up some meals to drop off. This will get them by until they make it to the store. Get some decorative ribbon to add extra pizazz to the jars.
5. Charcuterie Board
Traditional new neighbor gifts for entertaining
Our new neighbors entertain a lot now that they have a house of their own. A charcuterie board makes a great housewarming gift to serve snacks on. Many of these even come with their own utensils.
A wine opener will also come in handy when celebrating with friends.
Or give them a decorative glass cutting board. Because these are ornamental, they can be left out when not in use. They help protect the counter, but can also be used to serve snacks when having guests.
6. Gardening Tool Set
New neighbor gift for the yard
If they just moved from an apartment, they probably don’t have any outdoor tools. A cool gardening set will help them settle into domesticity.
If you don’t want them constantly borrowing yours, you can get them a shovel or a set of hedge trimmers.
7. Infused Oils & Vinegar
Welcome gifts for new neighbors
Homemade gifts are usually inexpensive, while still showing you care. If you grow your own herbs you can infuse olive oil and vinegar with rosemary, oregano, or even garlic. A handy book will show you all you need to know to accomplish this.
Or mix up your favorite rub for grilling meats, cinnamon sugar, or any other favorite spice mix.
All you need are some spice jars and vinegar bottles.
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