Author:
Ellen Moore
Date Of Creation:
18 January 2021
Update Date:
2 July 2024
Content
Greeting new neighbors is always a nice gesture to create a good first impression and possibly start a strong relationship that will bring you lots of positives in the future. If you notice that the neighbor's inscription "For Sale" has changed to "Sold", then you can wait for new neighbors. Here are some helpful steps and tips to help you create a welcoming environment for your neighbors!
Steps
1 Find out who is moving to you. Are they a newly married couple, a family with children, or an elderly spouse? It is important to know this information so that you can greet them appropriately and have an idea of what they need after or before they arrive. Ask friends, other neighbors, or an agency sales person. There is nothing wrong with curiosity, but do not give the impression of a person deliberately prying into other people's affairs. 
2 Consider making or preparing something as a gesture of attention for your new neighbors. Think about how it is - when you just move into a new home. Sometimes you can't even find anything to make a good cup of coffee! Use the following ideas to make a good welcome gift when you first meet new neighbors: - Prepare a batch of fresh cookies. You can always offer to make a cup of coffee when you need it! If they find it uncomfortable to go for drinks at first, offer to lend them an extra teapot until they buy theirs.
- Prepare a hot meal so they can eat right away. Probably it is worth giving it along with disposable plates and appliances in case the new neighbors have not yet found theirs. If you are concerned about their dietary preferences and tastes, ask ahead of time.
- Prepare a welcome basket. A basket filled with carefully selected items is a beautiful gesture that new residents will remember. Buy a convenient sized basket from your local craft store, or use your own and fill it with a variety of items (see Tips) and include a welcome card. Finally, wrap it in cellophane. Personally deliver a welcome basket shortly after your new neighbors move in (although it's best not to do this on the day of arrival, when they are busy moving and have something to worry about).
- Give them a flower for their garden, or better yet, a potted herb garden. This way they will have fresh herbs to serve as a little decoration until they take care of their own garden.
- Let the children greet the neighbors too. Usually children are happy with new people; let them cook something together for the neighbors.
3 Greet your new neighbors personally. A day or two after the new neighbors move in (when the furniture truck leaves), walk up to their house with your family members, knock on the door, and introduce yourself. Tell them that you are happy to welcome them and are willing to help them or answer questions about the area (if they are from another location).As you start the conversation, point out the simple things that you notice so that you don't feel like you're conducting a thorough investigation or sniffing around. Here's what you can mention: - Have you noticed toys - ask how many children or grandchildren they have, and explain how many you have, and so on;
- Have you noticed their gardening equipment - let them know that you yourself are passionate about gardening, or that you have spare gardening equipment that you can borrow, and the like;
- You see their dogs or other pets - don't miss the chance to point out that you share their love for animals! You might even suggest walking the dogs together.
- Outside, you noticed sports equipment or hobby equipment - tell them that you are also into this or that you know where there is such a club of interest nearby.
4 Keep the first conversation short and to the point. Moving is already an exciting event and it was not enough for the neighbors to stand on the porch waiting for lengthy stories. Just introduce yourself, say that you are ready to help, if anything, and that you have noticed that you have some common interest. Here you can already gauge their willingness to continue the conversation by giving them some personal space. 
5 Offer to host a welcome dinner for them or invite them to barbecue. Invite them to your place for a delicious hot lunch and get to know each other better. Make sure to let them know that this is a daily activity and they don't need to bring anything with them. 
6 Continue to greet your neighbors. It is important to keep in touch even after the first knock on the door. Smile and say hello every time you see each other; if you keep getting to know them, they will feel appreciated and welcomed beyond just their arrival. This will help create good neighborly bonds between you. You yourself will not notice how long-term friendships will develop between your new neighbors and your family!
Tips
- There are some really useful things you can tell your new neighbors about, including:
- Garbage collection days and any special recycling requirements;
- If they have children, then where are the local schools located, where you can find a gym, sports, ballet, creative circles; and what the children in your area usually do or whether there are regular meetings at someone's home. Explain to them where the local library is located and what they need to get a library card;
- What security programs exist in your area;
- Regular, traditional special events in your area throughout the year, such as general annual sales or street parties;
- Options to take turns to take each other by car;
- Any questions regarding benefits, priority rights, sharing facilities, and so on. But do not throw all this information on them at once - let people settle down a little first!
- If you and your neighbors have children of the same age, help your little ones introduce themselves. This will be especially helpful on moving day to keep the kids in your new neighbors busy while things are in chaos.
- If you give something to your neighbors, try not to give what they have to return to you - like a basket or a plate. It is often difficult to keep track of what should be returned when you are in the midst of all these unpacking procedures after the move.
- Here are some ideas for what to put in the welcome basket for new neighbors:
- Food: coffee or tea bags, snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, biscuits, perhaps some staple foods that do not spoil for a long time, such as pasta, rice, packaged ready meals, and the like;
- Toys if you notice children (crayons, stickers, etc.);
- District or county map;
- Fridge magnet or diagram with local emergency contact numbers (obtain from your local municipality);
- A gift certificate to a local restaurant, hairdresser or children's play center;
- Application for a library card at the local library or a brochure advertising library services or events;
- Washing gel and hand towel (preferably embroidered).
- An alternative to the gift basket is the picnic basket. It already comes with plates and cutlery and you just need to add food.
- If you are unable to personally introduce yourself to your new neighbors, call them. If you know their phone number, call and leave a nice welcome message.
Warnings
- Don't tell them how good or bad the previous neighbors were. This shows your tendency to judge and compare, and your new neighbors may worry that they will not meet your already formed and probably high standards.
- If you have not been able to immediately make friends with new neighbors, keep an open mind. It is not necessary to become best buddies, but it is important to maintain good relationships and friendliness so that you can interact and get along when you need to.
- Don't be luscious or overly curious. Your neighbors will be happy with a little greeting, but don't step outside or flicker under your feet while they settle down, or you'll leave a bad impression on them.
What do you need
- Shopping cart and belongings, if you settled on the welcome cart, plus some items suggested in the "Tips" section.
- Ingredients for freshly baked dishes
- Basic things for dinner or kebabs
