How amazing is this? A gift basket from our neighbors. Well, actually, from a few members of our neighborhood association. Yes, really. We have a neighborhood association. With meetings and ice cream socials and stuff.
It's oddly comforting and curious at the same time to receive a gift like this, just for being the new kids on the block. I remember the Welcome Wagon when I was a kid. Some lady came by our house in Napa and greeted us with a basket in the 80s. But I was pretty sure that kind of offering was a thing of the past.
Not here. The Welcome Wagon spirit is alive and well. (Though a quick search on Wikipedia tells me that the company was bought by a media group out of Florida in 2009 and now "markets" to new residents through mail, telemarketing and online. I wonder how welcoming those telemarket calls are.)
So far, we are feeling more than welcome in our new home. We have met more people in a few days than we ever met in the last 8 years. That in itself is a gift. Although the flip side, as a friend pointed out on facebook, was that it could get very "Wisteria Lane" and we could find ourselves the topic of juicy neighborhood gossip.
Oh well. I'll take it. Sounds like fun.
Have any of you ever received an amazing welcome gift from a neighbor? Do you make it a habit to introduce yourself to new neighbors and make them feel welcome? There is something contagious about it all. I am already feeling more social at home than I have in years.
Thank you, new neighbors!
We have had a very similar experience where we now live! The neighbors have been just SO warm and welcoming. We've now been here almost two years (yikes!) and now we see newer people moving in... so we are giving a party for four new couples, just as was done for us! And so it continues. When the spirit is right and good, it really does work! And yes, we have met more people in these two years than we met in twenty years up north... good, quality, really nice people too!!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, neighbor! Oh, and yes, one person gave us the absolute best blue cheese dip/dressing. Fabulous.
What a great share, Libby! Awesome to know that you are loving your new neighborhood - still! A party sounds fabulous. We will try to do the same ...after we get some more boxes unpacked. ;)
DeleteYou have great neighbours! The house next to us has been empty for almost 5 months, and yesterday new owners finally moved in. I wouldn't have thought to go over with a welcome gift before, but after seeing the lovely gift you received, hubby and I are going to go over to introduce ourselves and give them a bottle of wine :-)
ReplyDeleteI just hope they cut down all the weeds in their yard soon!