As most of you know Team Crooks just relocated to Lantana, Texas, a civilian community/special assignment near Denton. We love our neighborhood; it’s beautiful. The only problem is that almost everyone here is new due to the homes being new construction. It was the first time we’ve moved somewhere and not been welcomed by a neighbor.
Usually you can meet people by making yourself available outside and that has worked to meet a few people here. Every night when we first moved we took the dogs on family walks on the nature trail. Now, though, we’re smack dab in the height of summer, and 103-107 degrees does not make a fun family walk.
I was browsing on Facebook when I came across this SpouseBuzz blog, where the author explains how she got creative and decided to greet her neighbors that had just moved in. Admittedly, as I read, I was secretly hoping that some of my neighbors would do something so special. Who doesn’t love fresh baked chocolate chip cookies? Yum!
I really do want to know who my neighbors are. Kevin and I have been blessed almost every location we’ve been stationed—especially Fort Stewart—to have amazing neighbors who we would sit out on Friday and Saturday nights with and have a drink, laugh, and shoot the breeze. We’ve always had someone to trade pet sitting duties with and volunteer to pick up packages. It was time to take matters into my own hands.
I was going to greet them.
I took to Pinterest and was almost immediately inspired by Happy Home Fairy’s popcorn idea. This was easy, cheap, and wouldn’t require me baking thirty sets of chocolate chip cookies (I’m an overachiever, but everyone has their limits).
I wasn’t doing Christmas gifts, so I was going to have to make my own template. I decided what information I was going to offer up and created a graphic that had two sides. “We’re Your New Neighbors…Just Poppin’ In!” was the first one. Then the second side included some personal information.
Don’t despair—you don’t have to be graphically inclined. I’ve made you two templates, and they’re printable! One is fill-in-the-blank and the other with is blank for a personal note. You choose which one you wish to print.
I printed mine out on white card stock. Then simply cut each one out. I used my heavy duty paper cutter, but if you don’t have one of those, a pair of scissors works just fine.
Then I headed to Target to purchase popcorn. It’s up to you what kind you wish to purchase. Because I was doing thirty of these, I went with Market Pantry brand.
You’ll also need some ribbon and a hole punch if you don’t already have any. Fortunately, I had tons.
Cut your ribbon. Punch a hole in each card. Place one of the greeting cards and one of the information/note cards with each package of popcorn.
And Viola! there you have it—a fun and easy “Hi, I’m your neighbor, and look how crafty I am. Don’t you want to craft with me, too?” introduction to the neighbors.
Oh, and by the way, here is my other wonderful piece of advice before I go. Don’t ever, ever, underestimate the wonderful glory that is putting your children to work for you. Trust me, they loved every minute of it!
Since we gave out the gifts this weekend, we’ve gotten three emails from our neighbors thanking us and introducing themselves. It worked!
I love this fantastic idea. Would you mind being a guest blogger on my website and sharing it? My readers would appreciate your ideas.
Hi Carol,
Yes, I would be willing to allow you to share this post on your site. If you copy it verbatim (attributing all photos to “Photo by Tara Crooks”) and post at the top “Originally posted on http://www.www.armywifenetwork.com” and then at the bottom finish with my bio “Tara is the “Commander” at Army Wife Network and functions as the host of Army Wife Talk Radio and speaker at Field Exercises™. As our resident “networker” she handles marketing & sponsorship inquiries and social media integration at Army Wife Network. Tara is a coauthor of 1001 Things To Love About Military Life. Tara is the proud Work At Home Mama (WAHM) of Wrena and Chloe, and wife to MAJ Kevin Crooks, US Army. She has been married to the military for 15 years. In May 2013 Tara was honored as the Armed Forces Insurance™ Army Spouse of the Year. What she is most proud of is attaining the goal of her military journey – to empower military spouses to make the most of their lives. To meet Tara and learn more about her visit http://www.TaraCrooks.com or visit her at http://www.ArmyWifeNetwork.com.”
Also, please email a link of the post upon completion to info@armywifenetwork.com. Thank you!
I love this idea! We’ll be PCSing soon, and I’d like to do something like this for our new neighbors. We’ve never met any of our previous ones.
Thanks Alex! I’d love to see how it goes! 🙂 Make sure to email me – info@armywifenetwork.com.
Tara
What an awesome idea! I’m not moving anytime soon, but what a great way to just let someone know you are thinking of them!
I like this idea!
I have been looking for a cute way to introduce my family to the neighbors when we move. I love this idea!!!!
I love this idea! We just moved and I’d love to try this. I’m having trouble with the links that you provided for the printable templates. Is there another way to get them?
Hey Tara! I love this and am making them for my neighbors right now! Would you mind if I shared this on my blog? 🙂 I know I’m late to the party! Ha!
Of course you can share it on your blog! Would appreciate the link back to AWN in the text. Thanks! (Tara)