We are now in the thick of the holiday season and it seems that we have no time for others. Our busy schedules are packed with shopping, decorating, wrapping and baking. Who has time to be nice to a neighbor or an elderly relative? But now more than ever you need to reach out and show kindness to your neighbors.
We all have these mile-long to-do lists that seem to grow overnight. How can you take the time to reach out when there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Honestly, we can’t afford not to reach out. There are so many people who struggle this time of year with loneliness, financial need and fear. Sometimes the simplest gesture can warm a person’s heart and give them comfort.
I am not talking about solving world hunger. I’m talking simple, actionable things that you can do even amidst your jam-packed day. And this isn’t just limited to your neighbor. Here are five ideas to get you started thinking of ways to reach out.
5 Ways to Show Kindness to Your Neighbors…
Rake their leaves
Look around the homes on your street. Do you have an elderly neighbor who is having trouble cleaning up the autumn debris? It doesn’t take long for the leaves to pile up. For an elderly person, it might be hard to get out in the cold and rake the leaves. And this time of year, they might not have the funds to hire someone to do their seasonal yard work. So grab a rake and some trash bags and spend an afternoon getting the leaves bagged. Or maybe they need help shoveling snow off their driveway. Just walking to the mailbox can be deadly for an elderly person with fragile bones when the path is covered with snow and ice.
Run errands for them
Some of your neighbors could use help with errands this time of year. That elderly neighbor or the mom with 3 kids at home on a school break, might not be able to run to the grocery store for milk. Be available to help them out when you’re running errands. Give them a call and just check in when you’re heading to the grocery store, the post office or the library. Even if they don’t need any help, just knowing that someone cares can encourage them.
Bake some holiday treats
If you are doing a lot of baking this season, then share the bounty with your neighbors or elderly relatives. Take them a plate of goodies whenever you bake. Or freeze small packages of your baked goods and give them a basketful all at once. I love to bake, but I don’t like to keep too many goodies hanging around. Sharing my baked goods gives me a chance to bake and helps out someone who doesn’t have the time or stamina to bake for themselves.
Babysit for younger Moms
Your neighbors might not be elderly but instead are young families with lots of school-age children. It can be difficult for a young mother to squeeze in holiday shopping with the kids in tow. So offer an afternoon of babysitting while she does some shopping. Or maybe she just needs a few hours of peace and quiet that you can provide.
Ask what you can do for them
Be willing to help your neighbors in a way that they need. Maybe your elderly neighbor needs help addressing their Christmas cards. Or they would like some help setting up their Christmas tree. The neighbor that moved in recently might need suggestions on holiday activities in your town. The young family might need some extra winter gear for their kids such as some new hats and gloves. Maybe your neighbor just needs someone to talk to. Be open to what they can use help with.
When we reach out to our neighbors we begin to create relationships that can provide benefits to everyone. We benefit as well. Raking extra leaves is good exercise. Sharing our baked goods means fewer cookies for us to overindulge in. Having a houseful of kids, even for an afternoon, can remind you of those wonderful days when your kids were little.
You’re not only sharing with your neighbors, but you are bringing some joy to your own life. These days, many of us just focus on our own needs. We have lost the feeling of community and how important we are to one another. When you show kindness to your neighbors, you develop stronger bonds and you take the constant focus off of yourself. The more you look outward to the needs of others, the more joy you will have in your own life.
You might be wondering how to reach out to your neighbors, especially if you are new to your neighborhood. Building bonds can take time. Look for opportunities to engage people living close by. Chat with the neighbor who’s walking their dog. Wave to the family out riding their bikes. And knock on the door of that elderly neighbor whose mail is piling up.
With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to push off our neighbors. But they might be the very ones who need our attention. You might be the voice or the smile that cheers them up or encourages them. So try these 5 ways to show kindness to your neighbors and start making a difference in someones life.