DIY Network

Welcoming Neighbors From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-408

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Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G

Q: My neighborhood association wants to welcome new families who move into the area. Do you have any creative ways to make an introduction?

A: (from DIY's expert on entertaining, Jeanne Benedict) Consider making a "welcome wagon" to break the ice with new neighbors. Here are just a few ideas.

• You may want to literally use a child's wagon as a welcome-wagon container, and just include a number of items that will help welcome newcomers to the neighborhood. Include a copy of your neighborhood newsletter (figure A) if your area has one. Helpful items to include in a newsletter for newcomers might be a map of the neighborhood, a list of points of interest, recreational areas nearby, calendar of area events, recipes, etc.
  
  
  
• You might also include a coupon booklet (figure B) containing coupons redeemable at area businesses. Offering discounts and coupons to newcomers benefits both the new resident and the business. The business owner will be making contact and a positive first impression with a new potential customer.
  
  
  
• Consider making and including a laminated sheet for writing down important and emergency phone numbers, shopping lists, etc. (figure C). The laminated sheet can be decorated and affixed with a magnetic backing so that it can be fastened on a refrigerator door.
  
  
  
• Arrange these and other helpful items in the wagon or basket along with some houseplants, flowers, food items, etc. And a cup of sugar wrapped in cellophane will provide the obvious symbolism for a new-neighbor welcome.
  
  
  
• Another variation on the welcome-wagon theme might include a gift set of gardening items contained in a watering can (figure D). You might include seeds, gardening gloves, gardening tools, a gardener's journal, etc.
  
  
  
• For a family with children, consider a "lemonade stand" basket (figure E). Line a bushel-basket with yellow and white gingham, then fill the basket with lemons, a "lemonade" sign (figure F), cups, a piggy bank for lemonade-stand proceeds, a tablecloth and some sunflowers.
  
  
  
• For a historic neighborhood -- or for a 4th-of-July theme during the summer -- consider a patriotic Americana gift basket (figure G). Decorate a wood crate in red, white and blue, and fill it with welcoming gifts -- such as a color-coordinated tablecloth, flowers, picnic items, sparkling cider, apples, and an apple pie. Use floral foam in the bottom of the crate to raise the contents up for a better visual display.