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For the Home Holiday Home

4 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Neat When You Have Guests

Overnight guests can be a pleasure to host, even if playing host can get a little tiring after a while. It’s fun to have friends or family to stay, especially when they’re well-behaved. But more people in the house often means more mess. It’s just a reality when you have more people with their stuff, eating off your plates and using your sheets and towels. It can make it more difficult to keep your home clean and tidy, but it’s not impossible. There are a few things you can do to keep your home neat and pleasant for you and your guests.

Ask Your Guests to Pitch In to Keep Your Home Neat

When you have guests, you might not want them to do too much. You’re the host, after all. But if they’re in your home, it’s also polite of them not to be too much of an imposition. The best thing to do is wait for them to offer help, then accept it. They might automatically be polite enough to clean up after themselves and avoid making too much of a mess. But sometimes you might have to ask them to do their part and pitch in with some of the work. It isn’t always that they’re being rude, but they may not know that it’s social protocol or have other internal battles.

Social anxiety is one of the reasons someone might be afraid to ask what they can do to help. Instead, they’ll internally stress that they’re not doing their part but also feel frozen when they want to step in. It’s an internal battle, and asking if they can help you with something will make it easier for them, and you’ll both benefit in the end.

Do a Little More Laundry and Dishes

Both dishes and laundry can increase when you have guests. Even if you’re not washing your guests’ clothes, you can have more towels and bed linens to wash. Doing a little more laundry might be necessary if you want to stay on top of things. You might even need to do one load of laundry a day to prevent it from piling up. When it comes to dishes, try to do them every evening before going to bed. Or, depending on how many people are in the house, you might need to put the dishwasher on after every meal.

Use an Air Purifier to Keep Your Home Neat

You might be concerned about air quality with more people in your home. This can be a particular concern if any of your guests smoke or just like to enjoy a cigar over the holidays. Using an air purifier is a smart choice to keep your home clean and healthy. Air purifiers help to remove impurities from the air so that it’s cleaner and less likely to cause health problems. They could help remove unpleasant odors from your home, so everything still smells nice and clean.

Quickly Tidy Each Morning/Evening

A few minutes tidying up in the morning or evening is one of the best ways you can stay on top of everything when you have guests. It doesn’t take long to pick up a few things to put them away or to straighten out anything that might be a little wonky. Of course, your guests can help by tidying up their things so that you don’t have to pick up after them.

Recap: How to Keep Your Home Neat

It might be a struggle keeping your home clean and tidy when you have people living on top of each other, but a few simple habits will make it easier.

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Home How To

4 Secrets To Living A Comfortable Urban Life 

At first look, moving to the city can appear daunting. The hustle and bustle of city life can be overwhelming, and it can be a substantial lifestyle transition for people who have spent most of their lives in the suburbs or rural regions. Today, about 56% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Knowing how to make the most of your urban environment can create a fulfilling and delightful experience. To help you adapt to the city lifestyle, here are five essential life tips for living a comfortable urban life.

1. Get out there and explore for living a comfortable urban life

Getting out and exploring your new city is one of the finest ways to get to know it. You will be astonished at how much you can learn about a location just by roaming about with no purpose other than to uncover its distinctive nooks and corners. Spend some time each week exploring your neighborhood and trying out any restaurants, stores or appealing sights you come across. This will allow you to become acquainted with the environment and locate hidden jewels that you would have never discovered. 

2. Use public transportation 

If you want to move about town quickly without spending a lot on petrol or parking, public transit is the way to go! Most cities have transportation alternatives ranging from buses and subways to bike-share. It is worthwhile to spend time researching which choice is best for your lifestyle and budget. A number of public transit networks provide reduced fares to students, older people, and individuals with disabilities. Other cities provide prepaid cards, allowing you to save money by paying for numerous journeys at once. If you want to save money on transport, these discounted fares and prepaid cards might be incredibly useful. 

3. Select the best living space

It might be difficult to find affordable accommodation in the city that meets your budget and lifestyle. However, if you take the time to explore the region and know what you are looking for, the procedure may be considerably simpler. The first step is to decide what kind of housing facility you need, whether a townhouse, studio apartment, loft apartments, and so on. Examine different communities to get a sense of what they have to offer. Consider travel times, public transit and accessibility, and the facilities accessible in each region. These elements can have a significant impact on how comfortable and convenient your living environment is. When choosing a living space, be sure you have considered all of your possibilities and that your chosen location meets your long-term demand. 

4. Utilize local parks and recreational centers

Nothing beats relaxing in one of your city’s gorgeous parks or green areas. Spending time outdoors is beneficial to your mental health, so make use of these areas whenever feasible. These parks are guaranteed to give some much-needed relief from the rush and bustle of city living, whether going for a jog or enjoying a picnic with friends. Even in the busiest cities, these places allow you to experience nature. So spend some time exploring your city’s parks and outdoor areas. You will be amazed by how much they have to offer.

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For the Home Home

Creating A Beautiful Yard Will Take Some Time: Here are 3 Tips

Creating a beautiful yard will take some time. Rushing through it leads to mistakes and poor decisions you’ll later regret. We don’t want this for you, and you don’t want this for yourself, either. Take the time to get it right the first time so you don’t have to change things again. Here are some tips for creating a beautiful yard:

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Maintain Your Garden

Of course, the most important thing is that you are keeping your garden maintained. If you don’t have time to do this, some companies will do this for you. But, you’ll want to put the effort in first to create your stunning back garden before hiring someone to take over. Pull out weeds, cut the grass to a reasonable length, and create a border between the grass and the paving. 

You may enjoy knowing that research shows gardening is good for your physical and mental health. Don’t let things get overgrown, and avoid leaving spiky weeds around. These two things can make all the difference.

Decking for a Beautiful Yard

Another thing that you should think about doing is adding some decking to your outdoor space. There are many different types of decking, so research before making any decisions. For example, trex decking is durable and high quality, so this might be a good option for you to consider. 

Some people will choose to have a patio instead of decking, and that’s entirely up to you. But, decking takes you a little off the ground and gives your yard a bit of a different aesthetic. 

A Centerpiece

Another idea is to consider a centerpiece for the yard. What you get will depend on several things, including how much space you have, your budget, and so on. Some people will choose a pool as their centerpiece, while others will choose a different type of water feature. 

If water is not your thing, you could choose a fire pit. It will be perfect on those nights when you want to be outside. 

Recap: Creating a Beautiful Yard

While it might take some time to complete, it’ll be worth it. You can enjoy your outdoor space without thinking about the things you wish you could change.

What is one thing you’ve always dreamed of doing to your yard? Tell me in the comments! 🙂

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For the Home Home

4 Ways To Keep Your Home In The Best Condition Without Spending Too Much

Many people feel that to achieve a well-maintained and beautiful home, you need to spend a ton of money. However, that is not the case if you know about inexpensive home upkeep. You can have a beautiful home and keep it in the best condition without spending much money. All you need to know are some helpful tips and put them into action.

On that note, here are some smart money moves to keep your home in the best condition without spending your entire savings. 

Assess broken appliances and try to fix them before replacing them

From time to time, all homeowners will experience damaged or faulty appliances. These things happen and can be frustrating. However, it doesn’t always mean you need to replace them. Sometimes, a simple assessment and fix can solve the problem.

For instance, if your lawn mower is experiencing issues, you might require extra help with starting your lawn mower. The best things to do are check the oil levels, ensure nothing is blocking the system, check your switch’s fuse, and pull the start rope (or push the start button) harder. Garden maintenance tools can often be temperamental, so don’t worry that they are broken if they don’t start with a simple button click. 

They can become cold or develop rust, making them more difficult to start if you leave them outside. With these tips, you can guarantee to get them started instead of spending money on fixing or replacing them. 

Rearrange the furniture for inexpensive home upkeep

Another way to make your home look better without spending money is to rearrange the furniture. You might be bored of your home because it has looked the same for the past five years. 

Instead of buying new furniture, it will help your bank account if you move things around. You will be surprised how different your bedroom can feel if you move the bed to the other end of the room and switch the position of your living room sofa.

Deep clean the floors

Instead of getting frustrated with the dirty marks on your carpets or wood floors, the best thing you can do to save money is deep-clean them.

You don’t need to replace your carpets or wood floors for a clean look and feel. Simply hiring a cleaning expert or investing in a floor cleaning device will ensure you can maximize the cleanliness without spending a fortune on replacing them.

Wash the windows weekly for inexpensive home upkeep

Your windows can hinder the look and feel of your home, especially if they are dirty on the inside. 

Aim to wash the windows weekly to maximize their appearance and make your home feel brighter and cleaner. For the outside of your home, you can invest in an expert window cleaner if it’s worth the cost.

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Home Mental Health

4 Easy Ways To Create A Mood-Boosting Home Environment

Your home provides a haven for relaxing after a hectic day, so you should create a mood-boosting home environment. However, your home can affect your mood if the space isn’t ideal. Making a few environmental changes helps improve your mood, no matter the time of day. It gives you the peace of mind to attend to other aspects of your life. Below are four ways to improve your home and make you feel better instantly.

1. Keep it tidy 

Keeping your surroundings clean and clutter-free is the quickest way to boost your mood. Research shows having a messy home can impact your mental health, so aim for a neat house and improved mindset. Fortunately, keeping your home tidy can be as simple as making your bed, decluttering your space, and organizing your workspace if you work from home.

2. Open your windows 

Your home can feel stale without the outdoor breeze, but opening your window can solve that as it lets in natural air. Practice a few deep breaths while the fresh air flows through for an instant mood boost and stress reduction. Additionally, research has linked sunlight to many benefits, including mood enhancement and increased vitamin D production. Consider harnessing natural light to boost your overall happiness and well-being. Fortunately, window treatments like custom glass cutting enhance the natural light in your space by brightening rooms and creating an open and inviting atmosphere, so feel free to consider this. 

3. Make it personal to Create a Mood-Boosting Home

Personal things in your environment are a visual reminder of good times. They will also bring back pleasant recollections of relatives and close friends you may not have seen in years. You can showcase mementos from memorable excursions, frame photographs from significant occasions with family and friends, and display special items, such as artwork from a relative or loved one. You may also hang uplifting and inspiring photographs and graphics in your home.

4. Adopt a pet 

According to research, even minor pet interactions induce the human nervous system to create oxytocin, sometimes known as the “cuddle chemical.” Oxytocin promotes calm, trust, and sensitivity while decreasing stress and anxiety. There’s never been such an ideal moment to play with your furry friend, who craves attention and action as you. Enjoying each other’s company around your home can take your mind off any stressful situations you may be facing. Bonding with your pet can enhance your emotional condition and make your furry friend feel loved. If you live alone, having a pet can also give you something to look forward to after a busy day.

Recap: Create a Mood-Boosting Home

Your living space can instantaneously improve your attitude and well-being. By implementing these tips, you can create a place that fosters enjoyment, relaxation, and a sense of customization. These tiny but significant changes may convert your house into a haven of joy and satisfaction, instantly helping you feel better.

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For the Home Home

Clear Signs Your Home Might Need A Deep Clean

A deep clean is needed every once in a while. Once a month or once every couple of months, make sure your home is ticking over just fine. However, things can slip sometimes, and it can be hard to keep up with a cleaning routine when you’ve got so many other things to do. Watching for the signs your home needs a deep clean will help you choose efforts with the most effectiveness, and you won’t waste any time trying to keep your home tidy. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

You’re Sneezing Quite a Bit

Sneezing around the house more often these days? It probably isn’t a summer cold you’ve picked up. No, instead, it might be your allergies! You’ll want to get the duster and polish out when it happens. You might also need a ladder to reach the highest surfaces in your home. There’s a good chance a buildup has occurred without you realizing it. Before you get even more sniffly, you’ll want to clean up in the target areas!

There are a Few Unbudging Stains

Some stains are more persistent than others. When you notice these, it’s time to get the hardest scrubbing brush you can. Then, take at least 20 minutes to attack the stain. Get inside cupboards and appliances (the washing machine can get super dirty with all that limescale buildup), and target stains on the walls and floors with a similar method. The sooner you get it shifted, the better your perception of the space will be. 

Some Pests Can Be Attracted By Waste

Rats and other rodents or pests like a clean home. However, some bugs and other smaller critters like waste, especially the organic kind. From ants to spiders to silverfish, it’s best to call in a pest control service when you notice the problem spiraling. The first step is tackling the accumulation of garbage, usually in outside areas like the bins or in the yard. Then, call someone in to ensure there are no unwelcome visitors. 

Signs Your Home Needs A Deep Clean – Mold Easily Turns Up in Wet Rooms

When you don’t take time to clean between tiles and other grouting in your wet rooms, mold can grow overnight. It can cause a big problem when you walk in in the morning. You don’t want to breathe in mold spores of any kind. So get your old toothbrush out, make up a mold solution, and get right in there to remove the stains. Just spraying it won’t quite do here – you’ll need to use some elbow grease! 

Recap: Signs Your Home Needs A Deep Clean

These signs can help you recognize if your home needs a deep clean. If so, don’t worry! You can clean it easily with these tips.

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For the Home Home Parenting

Don’t Ignore These 4 Hidden Dangers Around Your Home

Many people assume the home is a safe space, but there are many hidden dangers around your home. It is reassuring, particularly if you have children, but it’s not always the case. Knowing some dangers to manage or eliminate around your home can make a difference. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Hard Or Slippery Floors

Slips and falls are probably one of the most common accidents around the home. It can happen to someone of any age, so ensure your floor is safe. Floor safety is especially important if you have little ones who love running around and playing.

You can do this by putting down some rugs to soften the blow and make it less slippery. Or, you might want to consider replacing hardwood floors with softer options. If you don’t like carpet, laminate floors always have more give. 

Hidden Dangers Around Your Home and In The Walls

You could also find that dangers lurk in the walls of your home. For instance, you could have asbestos in your home because it was used for insulation as late as the eighties. However, experts found a significant link between asbestos and certain rare types of cancer. If it’s in your walls, you must get it removed professionally. Companies like G3 Environmental can check any property if you are worried that asbestos might be hidden inside your home.

Pests

You should also be aware of the issue that pests can cause around your property. Sometimes, they can be harmless and may only be a nuisance or eyesore. However, other pests (especially if you have little ones) can be harmful. You might also find that certain pests bite (like the dreaded bed bug) and leave you with nasty welts.

Some pests are hard to get out of your home, especially if you opt for a DIY solution. It’s best to call professionals to handle the situation and ensure these pests don’t return. 

Water Woes 

Finally, you might want to consider whether water issues could cause problems in your home. It’s common for tap water to contain many chemicals that are not friendly and could be harmful to your health. 

If you worry about the danger here, consider using a water filter. Using a water filter is the best way to remove harmful chemicals and ensure with near absolute certainty that the water in your home is safe to drink. Bottled water is another option, but it presents other complications and isn’t environmentally friendly

Recap: Hidden Dangers Around Your Home

We hope this helps you understand some of the hidden dangers around your home and how you can fix them. Don’t wait until something happens when you could prepare your home now.

Do you have anything to add to this? Leave a comment and let us know.

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For the Home Health Healthy Living Home

Cleaner Air, Healthier Home: 4 Top Tips To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is a topic that’s not talked about enough. We spend a lot of our time indoors breathing air, but how clean and healthy is the air we breathe?

Outdoor air quality can fluctuate – and we’re aware of this. Most of us know that pollution can make some air dirtier than others. However, have you ever stopped to consider the air in your home? It’s probably not harmful, per se, but it can trigger or cause underlying health problems.

In this guide, you’ll see some easy tips to improve indoor air quality in your home. As a result, you can breathe easily knowing that the air is clean and not a detriment to your health

*this post may contain affiliate links*

Clean your home regularly

Regular cleaning improves the air quality by removing dust particles and other airborne allergens that linger when uncleaned. If people in your house sneeze frequently or wake up with stuffy noses, there are probably too many allergens in the air.

Make an effort to clean your home at least once a week. It doesn’t need to be a deep clean, but ensure you vacuum all surfaces and wipe away dust to prevent it from accumulating. Try to get a deep clean at least three or four times a year. Deep cleaning is where you get deep into the crevices and tackle areas that maybe get less attention during regular cleaning.

Do this yourself, or consider professional cleaning services if you don’t have enough time or lack the tools for deep cleaning. Either way, cleaning your home will clean and purify the air. 

Utilize an HVAC system

An HVAC system is one of the best things you can buy for your home. Many houses are built with them, especially in hot or cold parts of the country. They heat your home during the winter and cool it in the summer.

However, HVAC systems can also cycle and ventilate your home. It essentially uses the air conditioning part to take air from inside your home, blow it outside, and then transport fresh air back in. Air passes through a filtration system that blocks out pollutants, allergens, and anything else potentially dangerous. 

As a result, your home is left with fresh air cycling through! You don’t need to keep your HVAC unit on all day, but it is good to use it for an hour or so just as an air purification tactic. Be sure to change the filters regularly as well – look at them once a month/every two months, and swap them out if they look excessively dirty.

Ventilate your home every day for better Indoor Air Quality

Nothing beats the classic idea of opening some windows for fresh air. Throw your windows wide open every single day to allow fresh air in and stale air out. A poorly ventilated home will have awful air quality – and you can immediately tell the difference. 

When you open the windows and let the air circulate for a few hours, your house smells and feels much better. The air almost feels thinner and easier for you to breathe in. Any particles or bad things floating and lingering have now left. Many homeowners stop doing this during winter because it’s cold, so air quality reduces drastically. When the temperature drops, stay in the habit of opening windows for a bit.

Furthermore, proper ventilation keeps the air humidity levels low. You don’t want an overly humid home because it leads to dampness and mold growth. Consequently, mold spores can trigger allergy symptoms and be possibly dangerous for anyone with asthma. Again, keep your windows open – particularly in rooms that get humid. For example, always keep a window ajar in the bathroom when someone’s showering. Likewise, use extractor fans here and in the kitchen to further remove moisture and decrease humidity

And if you’re living in an area where radon is a concern, proper ventilation is key, though in some cases, full radon mitigation systems may be necessary to safely reduce levels of this naturally occurring gas. Sure, it’s not really ideal, but it really can’t be stressed enough how dangerous radon gas is.

Get some houseplants

House plants aren’t just great at making your home look pretty. Some added greenery goes a long way to improving air quality. When you think about it, this makes so much sense! Plants need carbon dioxide to thrive and produce oxygen for us to breathe. House plants will increase oxygen levels, making the air much healthier and more breathable.

The magic doesn’t stop there! Researchers have looked into this theory, and studies show it’s more than a wild idea. Some recent research from a university in the United Kingdom shows that house plants can reduce air pollution in the home. The study looked at a few species – the Peace Lily and Corn Plant – discovering that they reduced nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 20%. Nitrogen dioxide is a common pollutant linked to damaging your respiratory system and causing breathing problems. 

You don’t need to turn your house into a forest, but a few plants in some rooms will work wonders for the overall air quality. It’s worth looking into – as a bonus, plants make your rooms look much nicer. 

Recap: Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is super important as you spend lots of time indoors breathing the air around you. Bad air quality can be unhealthy and lead to various health concerns. Improving indoor air quality is beneficial, and there are many ways to do it. Ventilating your home is a big one, along with using HVAC systems for air filtration. Keep your home nice and clean to prevent dust build-up, while adding in a few house plants can remove pollutants and leave you with cleaner, fresher air!

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For the Home Home

3 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Home

It can sometimes be hard to notice when your home needs a bit of an upgrade. If you’ve lived there for a while, everything will seem fine. However, it’s always worth taking an objective view of your home now and then. When you do, it’ll help you recognize if an upgrade or two might be worthwhile. If you think it’s time to make some improvements, these ideas might appeal and help you make a start.

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Home Automation 

One of the best things you can do to upgrade your home and make it as modern as possible (not to mention easier to live in) is to install home automation. Home automation can cover as much or as little as you want, from home security lighting to automatic blinds and temperature control. You can install a system that will do everything for you at the touch of a button in an app. 

With the aid of a central hub, you’ll have complete control over your home and everything in it. You can even turn elements on and off when you’re not there. It can help with security and make the place a lot more comfortable to live in. 

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Something else you can do when it comes to upgrading your home and making changes is to reduce your carbon footprint. It means you will be living in a more energy-efficient home, living more sustainably, and saving money. Not only will you be helping the planet, but you’ll also help yourself. 

To live in a more energy-efficient way, you can invest in more eco-friendly appliances, like your washing machine and freezer. You can also install solar panels if you want a bigger upgrade.

It’s worth checking your insulation, too. Yours might need replacing, and this can help make your home more energy efficient because it makes it easier to heat and keep cool. 

Improve Your Curb Appeal for Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Home

You might not think anything needs changing in your home – it looks and feels just how you want it. However, that might be true for the inside, but what about the outside? Could your home’s curb appeal be improved? The curb appeal of a property is how it looks to passers-by. Is it tidy, well-maintained, modern, and presentable? If your home’s curb appeal is lacking, it will give people a potentially poor impression of your property. It might even make it a target for burglars. 

Consider landscaping the front garden and cleaning your driveway to improve curb appeal. You can also install attractive fences and gates. Don’t forget your front door. You can install a new one, paint your old one, or install new door fixtures for a fresh look.

Although you should only make the changes you want, it’s still worth considering the curb appeal. It can be helpful if you intend to sell it one day.

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Adulting For the Home Home

10 Ways to Connect With Your Neighbors and Strengthen Your Relationships

Friends come in all forms – even those living next door! Finding ways to connect with your neighbors can help you maximize the quality of relationships and strengthen bonds in your local community. From volunteering together at events to simply saying hi when passing each other on the street, strong ties can be easy to form. Put on your smile, strike up a conversation, and watch as those neighborly relationships blossom!

*this post contains affiliate links*

Exchange Contact Details to Connect With Your Neighbors

Start off right and introduce yourself to your neighbors by exchanging contact details. You can share it via conversation on the street or sending out notes with your name and number so you can stay in contact.

Invite Them Over for Dinner

Invite your neighbors over for dinner, or prepare extra dishes when cooking at home so that you can share them. It helps build relationships, and you can make some delicious meals! This chili mac and cheese instant pot recipe is a great place to start.

Get involved with Local Groups

Join local community groups such as book clubs or volunteer schemes. You can also collaborate with neighbors to organize activities like lemonade stands and neighborhood cleanups.

Offer to Help 

Consider offering your neighbors help by doing anything you can – walking the dog when they go away or babysitting for an evening. These are both great ways of showing kindness that can strengthen relationships between neighbors.

Block Parties to Connect With Your Neighbors

Plan engaging activities – like barbeques and movie screenings – for your neighbors to participate in and create stronger connections. Hosting block parties will bring people together while showing that you value strengthening these ties.

Participate in Local Events 

Look out for local events like art exhibitions or street markets and join in. Not only will you become involved in your community, but this is also a fantastic chance to meet new people and network.

Share Homegrown Produce

If you own a garden or allotment, share some of your homegrown produce with your neighbors. It will save money while creating opportunities to have meaningful conversations! Not only can it save money on food costs, but it can be an amazing conversation starter too.

Join Forces for Maintenance

Arrange with other homeowners on your block to share any repairs or maintenance jobs, like fixing fences or clearing gutters. Working together means these tasks may get accomplished faster and more efficiently than if each person did it alone.

Organize Swap Parties to Connect With Your Neighbors

Get together with your neighbors to organize clothing, book, and toy swap parties that involve children! They’ll love searching through each other’s stuff and discovering something fun they didn’t already own!

Send Out Greeting Cards

Extend greetings throughout the year to mark special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. It demonstrates how much you care about your community. Not only is sending greeting cards an excellent way of staying in touch, but it is also a great way to show how much your neighbors appreciate your friendship!

Recap: Connect With Your Neighbors

These 10 ways to connect with your neighbors are just the start. Reach out today, show some neighborly love, and begin building bonds in your area – who knows where it could lead?