It's that time of year again! The time when sweaters make their debut, hot chocolate is in fashion, towns and homes are lit up, and joy abounds. One year ago I wrote a blog called -  7 Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer to Your Neighbors. As we began to approach December and dove headfirst into the newest holiday season, I thought to myself "there can't be only seven ways, right?!" This time around I've picked seven more ways you can spread holiday cheer to your neighbors, and they are just as sweet and thoughtful as the ones that came before. When you share walls, a ceiling and a floor with someone it makes you a bit more than neighbors, don't you think? 

photo credit: verybestbaking.com

1. Cookie Mix in a Jar

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Mason jars are life.  So why not throw some cookie ingredients into one, shall we? And who doesn't love cookies? This is such a simple way to spread holiday cheer. You can get the jars and ingredients in bulk and just assemble away. There are dozens of recipes to choose from. Chocolate peppermint and s'mores cookies are a couple of festive choices. Once assembled, tie a little tag around the jar with striped twine and include instructions alongside the remaining ingredients needed, and you've got yourself the sweetest little gift. 

photo credit: thecreativityexchange.com

1. Holiday Snack Mix

Here is my P.S.A. first and foremost. Let me forewarn you that you may or may not gain five pounds from making it because you continuously eat it. They don't call this stuff crack for nothing. With that being said - this stuff is just yaaaassss. The number of creations you can come up with could wrap the Earth and most likely once more. The key is mixing salty with sweet so every handful is the perfect handful. The holiday "trash", as it's called, is so silly easy to make and package. When you know which ingredients you want to use, you're just a spatula toss, cellophane bag, and ribbon with a tag away from completion.  Just a side note: I would suggest avoiding the addition of peanuts for allergy purposes.

photo credit: celebratingeverydaylife.com

3. Homemade Bread

There is nothing cozier than homemade bread if you ask me. If your niche is baking, this can very well be your jam. There are so many breads you could bake - gingerbread apple, banana, cranberry swirl, lemon, or a boozy rum eggnog, to name a few. Feel free to let your creative flag fly and go to the wall with the packaging. Pop on a bread wrapper (yes, that is a thing) with a sweet saying and your name and proceed to wrap the loaf in cellophane. Take a ribbon, tie it up like the one in the photo and you've now become the most popular person in your building or on your floor. If you become too popular and everyone wants your bread all of the time...I'm sorry (all that keeps popping into my head the episode of Friends called "The One with All the Candy"). 

photo credit: pinterest.com

4. Holiday Potpourri

When you think of the holidays certain smells come to mind. Smells like cinnamon, apples, gingerbread, and cloves. Stove-top potpourri is an awesome gift to give that is simple not only for you to create, but also for them to enjoy. They just need to grab a pot and add water. You will simply package all ingredients except the water in a jar (*cough* mason *cough*) or cellophane bag and then close it. You can use ribbon or twine to add a little something extra. All that is left to do is a cute tag or label. Either one is perfect for the instructions, your message, and the ingredients. I dare say you may benefit from this while walking past their door.    

photo credit: oldnavy.com

5. Gloves

If you're more of the "I don't cook, bake or concoct type", this is an easy and inexpensive way to spread holiday cheer. You can purchase gloves for as little as $4 a pair or even get an entire 12 pack for as little as $25 on Amazon. Tie a little gift tag at the top, make a loop for door hanging and voila! You can do fun patterns or stick to the classic solid colors. Another great thing about gloves is the fact that they are the perfect for someone who may not necessarily celebrate any of the actual holidays. It's simple and nondescript. 

photo credit: woohome.com

6. Wine or Beer

Reindeer bottles?! Are you kidding me? How cute are these? You can even do this on a bottle of wine. If you are gifting a neighbor that you either feel it is inappropriate to give alcohol or you are not sure if they drink, give a six pack of cider or a bottle of non-alcoholic wine instead. Both are just as awesome and the kind gesture is not lost upon the switch. You just need to hit up a craft store and grab some fuzzy red balls, brown pipe cleaner, a package of decorative eyeballs and some glue. The results are, honestly, about as fantastic as you can get. You'll be getting high fives for creativity as they pass you from here on out. 

photo credit: bedbathandbeyond.com

7. Gingerbread House Kit

How fun is this? Everything they need is right in the box which is one of the best things about it - besides the fact that it requires pretty much no wrapping at all. Just place a tag or stick a card on it and you're good to go.  It's perfect for the neighboring family with kids or grandparents with grandchildren that visit. It encourages family time which is one of the best gifts - if not the best.

As you read these, take a moment and think of all of your Camden neighbors and how much you could make their day by doing any one of these. Holiday cheer does not have to be bought either- just holding the door or elevator, simply saying hello and smiling when you walk past or letting someone else have that parking spot in front of your building will do the trick. A little effort goes a long way. The best thing about neighbors is that they can become some of the best friends you ever had and you could start it all with a kind gesture.

Happy holidays, everyone!