Hello world! Welcome friends! Someone new moved into a house down the street and it struck me, as I was putting together a neighborhood welcome gift basket, that it would be a great blog idea to explain how I do it. Here’s how you, too, can make a great gift basket for the new family on the block.
Foodstuffs
One of the key ingredients of a gift basket is food. Or, as I like to call them: treats. My family loves it when I decide to make a basket for somebody because I usually start baking. And when I bake, I always bake extra! For a gift basket I usually start with cookies and brownies, and if I’m in a really good mood I’ll serve up a batch of homemade fudge. I also make a mean saltwater taffy. If baking isn’t a gift you weren’t born with, that’s okay. You can purchase store bought cookies, fruit preserves, candied popcorn, and similar items to put in your basket. For a beverage ingredient I make my own hot cocoa mix. I jar this in a cute container with a hand-made label tag (complete with instructions), and it usually goes over well – especially in the winter. I’ll include a few sticks of cinnamon in a small bag, too, as cinnamon can take a mug of hot cocoa to a whole new level. Then, to finish the food and drink portion of the basket, I’ll include a few high-end tea bags from my tea drawer.
A Wellness Gift
The wellness part of the basket varies depending on what I have in supply. Usually whenever I’m out shopping at stores like Bath & Bodyworks, I’ll pick up some extra lotions and soaps if they’re on sale — for just this very reason. Another item I like to include is a natural hemp oil. These oils are becoming really popular among homemakers for both relaxation and dealing with ailments.
Aromatherapy Candles
For a really classy gift basket, I like to include an aromatherapy candle or two. I mean, if you’re just moving into a house, it would be nice to burn a candle, right? I like to splurge when I buy candles. Sometimes $30 seems like a lot of money for something you’re going to give a complete stranger, but remember that the point is that you don’t want to stay strangers. You’re going to be neighbors. Also, look at it this way: If you were moving into a new house and someone gave you a gift basket, would you rather have a low-end candle from the grocery store or something from Anthropologie? Now go and do likewise.
A Church Brochure
Everyone prays that the newest member of the neighborhood will also become the newest member of the congregation. One way to start the conversation is by slipping a brochure from your church in with the other goodies. This way you’re not going too far over the top, as some have suggested by including a nice red-letter edition Bible or a tract. A good pamphlet will outline the basics of the church’s position in faith, and will hopefully spark a conversation down the road. Sometimes when I drop off the basket, I’ll even mention the brochure. “And if you’re looking for a good church in the area, I have you covered,” I’ll say with a little wink.
Delivering Your Basket
If you’ve followed my instructions, by now you’ve probably built a really welcoming gift basket. The finishing touches are all first-year home-ec basics. You’ll want filler and a bow, basically. You can find these ingredients at stores like Michaels.
Now that you have a completed gift basket, it’s time to go ring the doorbell and meet your new neighbors! Thankfully, since they’re moving in, you’ll probably be able to see when they’re home. Put on your Sunday best, but don’t expect to be invited in. Even if they offer, it is polite to decline and tell them that you would love to come in… after they’re settled in and comfortable.
Congratulations! You’ve just welcomed a new neighbor into your neighborhood.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Improve your Home’s Energy Use
Reduce Stress & Spend Less on your Next Move
Tackle those Home Improvement Projects
The Best Cocktails to Make at Home
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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