This time of year is a stand out time to spread joy and happiness. There is just something in the air that makes it feel oh so right. Three years ago I wrote a blog called 8 Ideas to Share Your Baking Joy During the Holidays. It was all about nifty ways to package baked goods to delight upon your neighbors during the holidays. This year I thought, how about expanding it past baked goods? I mean don't get me wrong, cookies, peppermint bark and homemade cupcakes in a jar are fabulous but they certainly aren't the only way you can spread holiday cheer to your neighbors. Apartment living can be tricky because you are sharing so many of your walls and flooring with other people who a lot of times you have never even met. This is the perfect time of year to come out and just do something nice for the person that you are living literally on top of, beside or underneath. We had a resident who each holiday would decorate the breezeways for her neighbors and it was something that made them smile and that is what life is about, ya know? Doing good and doing for others. You never know what difference you could be making in someone's life just by the teeny tiniest act of kindness. So without further adieu, here are 7 ways to spread holiday cheer to your neighbors this season - from the ones you hang out with, to the ones you've never even seen or said hi to. 

1. A Simple Card

Cards are wonderful way to make someone's day. When you think about spreading holiday cheer, cards often come to mind because the power of words, as well as the gesture of card giving can be so incredibly impactful. However, not knowing if someone even celebrates any of the holidays this season can be the rub. So if you are unsure, stick to a card that doesn't specify which holiday unless you are positive they do in fact celebrate it. They make beautiful blank cards these days or ones that simply say "happy holidays". You would just simply need to write a short and sweet handwritten message on the inside if it was blank or if you just wanted to add your own flare to any text that may already be inside of the card. If you get stumped as to what to write, here is a great site that offer ideas for the handwritten part of your card that include but aren't limited to general wishes of joy and wishes for a wonderful new year.  

2. Hot Cocoa in a Jar

photo credit: lovegrowswild.com

I'm a sucker for anything in a jar. And if it's a mason jar, it's a wrap. They are classic vessels for so many things - just like this hot cocoa in a jar idea. What better way to spread holiday cheer than to put everything someone needs to make an amazing cup of hot cocoa all in one place?  Just tie the recipe to the lid and play around with some ideas for the layers. This particular one at Love Grows Wild (pictured above), has marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips along with the cocoa ingredients, but you can do sprinkles and marshmallows, or something with cinnamon or even have layers that would make a killer Mexican hot chocolate. The possibilities are endless and the end result is adorable and sweet. And if they aren't home, just place it in a bag with handles or make a handle with ribbon and hang it on their door.  Voila.

3. Cookies

Okay, okay. I know I said I would expand past baked goods, but you cannot discount the power of the cookie. Am I right? And there are countless cookie cutters out there that just scream holiday cheer - you've got gingerbread men, snowflakes, candy canes and Santa hats and the list just does not end. Once they are baked, you get to decorate them if you want. You can have so much fun with it, unleashing your inner child. I work at community in Apex, NC, Camden Lake Pine, and we actually have cookie decorating resident events because it is just one of those things that people love to do. It's fun as all get out and you can let your creative flag fly. As far as the delivery to your neighbors, you can put them in mason jars (stack them of course), bags, cellophane, or tins. They'd love you for it. And even if you store bought them, it's the thought that counts. It truly is.

4. Blankets

photo credit: jacolynmurphy.com

You might be scratching your head right about now but hear me out. You can get blankets so inexpensive and of good quality, too, you just have to search. Here are some inexpensive blankets for starters but see that photo? How adorable is that?! Don't you just want to go out and find the perfect blankets on sale and do this? I say yes. Do it. Be bold, be different. It's precious. Jacolyn Murphy has the most adorable message wraps for blankets and even an Etsy shop where you can purchase the tags if you aren't feeling crafty on your own. 

5. Ornaments

It's tree trimming time! Make sure they have a tree of course, otherwise this gift will be lost on them but if they do, this is a darling idea. If you are very friendly with a neighbor and know an interest of theirs, use that knowledge to your advantage. For the sports lover, for the golfer, for the person obsessed with poodles, they make ornaments for anyone and everyone these days. And if you don't know them well or at all, they have fun and classy ornaments all the same. Put it in a small box wrapped in tissue paper with a little card. Your note can say something like: "from our house to yours" or just simply "happy holidays". Here's that short and sweet tip again.

6. Redbox 

So this is a really, really cool idea. Put a bag of popcorn along with a Redbox promo code, which you can get here, inside a cellophane bag and boom! You've got yourself one fabulous and inexpensive neighbor gift. Put a gift tag on it that says something like - "to all a good movie night!" which is a play off the famous book where Santa yells "and to all a good night!" Get clever with your word play. It makes it that much better and slightly corny and everyone needs corny in their life. 

7. Calendar

This is really simple, inexpensive idea. You're just giving a calendar with a note for best wishes in the new year. It's perfect. They have an entire year to fill up with plans and birthdays and dinners and anniversaries.  Here is a great one where they can add their own photos and here is another one where they can actually make the calendars themselves. Who doesn't love a good doodling opportunity?

Bonus tip: If you are the crafty type or maybe aren't but willing to give it a try, Canva is a crazy cool tool you can use to create the gift tags I mention above and you could even create your own cards to print. Talk about a personal touch! They have a lot of free layouts and elements you can use but they also have selections you can purchase for just $1.00 each. Can't beat it with a stick if you ask me. You are Picasso and Canva is your brush. 

I know gift giving to a neighbor you've never met may be outside of your comfort zone but I have just one thing to say to you - YOLO.

Happy Holidays!!!!

Which one of these would you love to get the most from a neighbor?

Card

Hot Cocoa in a Jar

Cookies

Blanket

Ornament

Redbox

Calendar