Holiday Gift Ideas for the Neighbors

Every holiday season we go through the same anxiety: Are we expected to give the neighbors gifts? What happens if they show up at our door bearing gifts? How much should we spend? What kind of gift is appropriate? Well, I've put together a list of gift ideas below to help ease your anxiety.

My advice is to plan on giving gifts to those neighbors with whom you socialize with during the rest of year. For example, the neighbors whose kids play with yours, the neighbors you barbecue with, the neighbors you may have the occasional dinner and drink with, etc. Definitely include the neighbors who have watched your house or taken care of your pets while you've been on vacation. It doesn't have to be anything too expensive. A box of chocolates or a small houseplant is perfectly acceptable.

Inevitably, though, other neighbors you may not be as close to will show up on your doorstep bearing gifts. To avoid embarrassment, keep some extra gifts on hand every holiday season for just this occasion. Keep these gifts gender-neutral and something the entire family will enjoy. Also, try to be sensitive to the non-Christian neighbors by making sure the extra gifts kept on hand aren't specific to any faith. Don't assume that because they are celebrating this time of year automatically makes them Christian. While indeed many are celebrating Christmas, there are many celebrating other observances, such as Hanukkah, Yule (which contrary to what many believe, is NOT the same as Christmas), and Kwanzaa. Christmas is rapidly growing into a more and more secular holiday, and people from all faiths and cultures celebrate it.

Here are some holiday gift ideas appropriate for your neighbors:

Gourmet Gift Baskets - These will usually contain at least one thing that's bound to please each member of the family. During the holiday season, there is a large selection of gourmet gift baskets available in a wide variety of themes and price ranges, so you're sure to find something to fit your budget.

Gardening Tools - A great gift that will help your neighbors keep their yard, and therefore the neighborhood, looking great. Put together little sets of gardening gloves, trowels and knee cushions, for example. It may not be the season for gardening, but the theme incorporates something you have in common as neighbors.

Garden Decor - Going with the same ideas as mentioned above, but with decor such as garden stakes, stepping stones, etc.

Holiday Decor - If you're neighbors enjoy decorating for the holidays, giving them more holiday decor to add to their collection will usually be appreciated. However, be sensitive to their theme and color scheme, if they have one. If they have an all-white theme, for example, that green and red wreath you give them will probably go right into the box with the other stuff for the charity truck to pick up next time it's in the area. If you're not sure what type of decor they have, it's better to choose another gift idea rather than presume they'll like whatever you think looks good.

House Plants - Who doesn't like house plants? And they go with just about any decor (as long as you're not selecting something really exotic). Just make sure they're fresh and in good condition.

Potted Poinsettia Plants - These are a traditional holiday gifts that never go out of style and one can never have too many of during the holiday season. Like houseplants, they come in a variety of sizes to fit any budget.

Wine or Champagne- Reserve this idea for your neighbors whom you are certain dink alcoholic beverages. Otherwise, you could end up offending them. For those who do drink wine or champagne, however, this can be one of the most appreciated gifts you could give. Champagne is a great belated gift for neighbors who drink because they can crack it open to celebrate the New Year.

Whatever you choose to give the neighbors this year, the best thing you can do to make this less stressful is to shop early and have plenty of "extra" holiday gifts on hand, so when that doorbell rings you can say, "Oh, how thoughtful! We have something for you as well!"