“Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.” Francis C. Farley

Christmas is the perfect time to love your neighbor without being weird! Here are some tips to connect:

• Ask your neighbor where she got her poinsettias, lighted wreath or giant inflatable Grinch. She’ll receive a compliment, you’ll receive some great advice.
• Host a Christmas card party. Serve hot chocolate and play carols while everyone fills out their own cards.
• Have a gift wrapping party—everyone wraps their own presents while you share boxes, bows and finally get rid of that leftover paper.
• Arrange a cookie exchange and let the children decorate cookies.
• Befriend a single mom or dad, offer to watch their children—in their home, while they are home—so they can get some things done
• Call a neighbor the next time you’re going to the grocery store, post office, or the mall and offer to pick up anything she might need. Better yet, invite her to come along!
• Deliver a Christmas card to your neighbor’s door with a plate of cookies.
• Offer to fill out Christmas cards for an elderly neighbor.
• Learn one neighbor’s name. You might have to that embarrassing conversation when you say, “I’m so sorry, but I don’t know your name.”
• Start a walking club in January, when everyone wants to get healthy. Or start a book club, a gardening club, or a cooking class.

And, it’s not too late to host a Christmas Open House!

1. Print as many copies of this pretty invitation as you need
2. Invite your neighbors to create a Christmas Countdown Craft.

• Tips for planning your Christmas Open House
• Step-by-step instructions for the Christmas Countdown Craft with photos