Driving around our area and neighborhood it makes my heart swell to see the efforts everyone puts into the exterior of their homes. It really just brings me so much joy. I recently read a short little true story that confirmed to me WHY we decorate and put effort into our homes especially during the Holidays and Christmas Season. And we came up with a way to spread some joy in our neighborhood with some unique Neighbor Gifts!
This is the story in my words…
There was a couple who had different opinions on how to decorate their home at Christmas time, especially what color of lights to use on the exterior. He was color-blind and could see the color blue best. She did not think blue looked like a Christmas color. Being the loving husband he was, he put up traditional lights. He would always take out one white bulb and replace it with one blue bulb. It was a family game and tradition to look for the one blue bulb.
One year he passed away unexpectedly right before Christmas. At his funeral the story was told about the one blue bulb.
A day after the funeral she was home feeling sad and lonely and happened to look out her front window. Among all the white lights was one one blue bulb that her neighbor had strung across their front door. Within a few days many neighbors and friends added blue bulbs to their Christmas Lights. A neighbor even used only blue lights on their Christmas Tree.
Her Christmas was made brighter and her burden of grief was made a little lighter. Her neighbors comforted those that needed comforting. And the memories of her husband came through with a simple Christmas Tradition. Such a great way to show love like Jesus does and did. In your own community.
So this story got me thinking about meeting our neighbors and showing love.
I thought how nice it would be rather than just think “their house looks so festive” or to just snap a picture (talking to myself).
But TELL them.
Tell them you appreciate the effort they put into decorating their homes.
So that is what we did the other night for our family night. Turned on Christmas tunes and drove around admiring all the pretty homes and knocking on doors.
I made these simple cards that say “Thank you for making our neighborhood a little BRIGHTER! Your festive home brings so much JOY!”
You can just save the image below to your photos. I just printed 20 of them online with Walgreens and used a coupon code- they were under $5 to print.
I put together some fun Neighbor Gift Ideas that you could drop off with the note! Even just the card is honestly enough! But these are just some fun, simple gift ideas to have on-hand that you could pickup at the grocery store.
A little box of caramels in a clear plastic bag with a sprig of fresh pine is the perfect little Christmas gesture.
I love to give oranges as neighbor gifts and those breakable chocolate oranges are one of my favorite Christmas treats!
How about giving something practical, a jar of pasta sauce and some festive snowflake pasta shapes.
I don’t know who wouldn’t be happy to have a container of cinnamon rolls they can bake for kids or extra company.
I have done this before- made a bunch of sugar cookies and gave them to a neighbor with the frosting and sprinkles to make with kids.
Here are a couple of the homes we stopped by. Some of them were not home so we are going to go back! My girls just wanted to leave them and run. But I wanted to try to say “Hi” and personally give it to them. Not intrude, just a quick “Merry Christmas!” And after each house my girls were bouncing away. Lola said this is so much fun! Ella said it brings me joy to bring them joy! Basically a Hallmark movie:)
This home was one of the first homes that gave me the idea! When we knocked on her door she was so appreciative and was so thankful that we loved the nativity too. She started to tear up and so did I.
Isn’t this Christmas home so fun? She was on older lady with spots on her face that she told us she just had treated today. She also told us she has been doing this for 40 years and was very kind and thankful we stopped to tell her.
We did leave one in a mailbox. We plan on delivering more tonight so check my Instagram Stories as we are out delivering them! I might share more pictures if I am able to capture them.
If you are looking for other ways to spread some joy and the Light of Christ you can find a wonderful video and ideas HERE.
If you are still looking for Gifts Ideas you can find all my Gift Guides HERE!
PS- Find orignal “One Blue Bulb” story HERE
Jamie says
Such a sweet idea! You are always so thoughtful and kind. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
[email protected] says
Thank you very much Jamie! Merry Christmas to you too!
Molly O'Leary says
Love this idea! So much fun and I am sure such a sweet gesture to receive for your neighbors.
[email protected] says
I thought I would like getting it, so why not:)
Randi Sundsmo says
Love this idea! A great activity to do with the kids and also make a neighbor’s day a little bit brighter.
[email protected] says
yes- it was so fun driving around listing to music and dropping off goodies!
Karen Griffith says
This is such a sweet idea. We live in a neighborhood just off our town center where we have lots of pedestrian traffic. I love when I’m outside and people take the time to stop and tell me how much they like my decorations – warms my heart and feels so good to be brightening up someone’s day!
[email protected] says
that is so sweet that they actually stop and tell you!! Good for them!
Lisa Zahn says
I love this so much! I am definitely going to print these and do it. I do get so much joy from all the outside decorations people take the time to put up.
[email protected] says
yes! Good for you! It was so much fun!
Carrie Steele says
This just made me smile. Thank you for sharing your thoughtful gifts of hospitality with US and your neighbors. Such great ideas! You’re the best.
[email protected] says
Thank you Carrie!
Jennifer says
Oh my heart is broken for the One Blue Light Lady and her sweet neighbors. Thank you. Sometimes we need reminding to love others the way Jesus loved us.
[email protected] says
yes, exactly.
Linda P. says
What a kind, sweet, thoughtful idea. Thanks for sharing. It seems like that type of caring has gone by the wayside, so I love this idea.
[email protected] says
Thank you Linda- yes I for sure need to focus on it daily!
Mare says
I live on a little island in Newport Beach CA called Balboa Island. Every holiday season the island goes crazy and beautifully decorates their homes. We have a holiday home tour and even a boat parade. AND, every year, we receive an anonymous note from Santa thanking us for taking the time to decorate our home and for sharing the beauty & joy of the season with our neighbors. I used to spend summers in Fairfield Beach so I love imagining where you are and how beautiful it must be right now. How lucky your neighbors are…you are truly spreading the joy & thoughtfulness of the holiday. God bless you & your family.
[email protected] says
Thank you for sharing this with me! That makes me so happy to hear. And your island sounds like such a fun place to be!
Lizz says
What a kind thing to do. I know your neighbors appreciate it. Merry Christmas……
[email protected] says
thanks Liz! It was fun for us!
Christine says
Love this idea!! Thank you for sharing!!
[email protected] says
thank you!
Angie says
What an inspiring story! Such thoughtful ideas! Love this!
[email protected] says
Thanks Angie!
Clarissa says
The story made me tear up but then to see the thought and time you put into this really had me going. This is such a beautiful idea. Your heart shined through on this one. Merry Christmas!
[email protected] says
Awe thank you Clarissa! It was so much fun, it really put my girls in such a happy mood!
Mandi says
This is really sweet and your kindness is such an inspiration to me!
[email protected] says
thank you Mandi- it really did so much for us too!
Brandi says
Brooke, I enjoy following your blog and Instagram so much. You always seem so sweet and sincere. This has be one of my favorite posts. Maybe it’s the holidays that has me feeling extra sentimental, but I teared up at the story you shared in the beginning of your post. Thank you so much for sharing. I am so inspired to do something sweet to my neighbors too.
[email protected] says
Thanks Brandi! I teared up when I heard that story too. It is one of my favorites for the Christmas Season. Love to you!
Valeria says
This is SERIOUSLY the BEST FHE I’ve heard of!! You’re not only spreading some joy throughout your neighborhood. You’re also teaching your girls to be more Christ-like. You’re so sweet!
[email protected] says
Thank you! Yes they also learned to not be afraid to approach people and tell them that you think they are awesome! It was a great FHE night for sure!
Allison says
What a great idea! I love that story – He was my next door neighbor growing up. We decorated our Christmas tree blue for him too. They were an incredible family and it’s always so neat to see a community and neighborhood come together in times of need. Thank you for your inspiration of spreading good cheer this season.
[email protected] says
Oh my goodness!! Thank you for telling me you knew him. How neat you decorated your tree. I LOVE hearing this!! Thank you!
Mimi says
Love the inspiration! FYI, I wish you had put a disclaimer at the beginning of your post that if the reader is at work to proceed with caution because I teared up at my desk.
[email protected] says
ahhhhh! I am sorry:) isn’t that the sweetest story!
Sara Jane says
Love this idea. Printed off your layout and did deliveries in our neighbourhood tonight! Very fun!!
[email protected] says
oh yay!! Thank you so much for telling me!