The holidays have a way of inviting us to slow down. Between twinkling lights along quiet streets and the cheerful hum of local shops, the season reminds us that connection matters most. True holiday spirit isn’t measured by how much you give or spend, it’s in the small ways we show up for the people living right next door.
Being a good neighbor doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s sharing a plate of cookies, inviting someone over for a casual gathering, or lending a shovel when snow piles up. Even small acts, like keeping an eye on a neighbor’s home while they’re away, can leave a lasting mark. This year, try weaving in moments of kindness that turn ordinary days into memories that warm the heart.
Host (or Join) a Neighborhood Gathering
Nothing strengthens connection like breaking bread. A casual potluck, a backyard chili night, or a simple cookie swap can create memories that outlast the season. Start a Facebook group or post on Nextdoor—often neighbors are just waiting for someone to take the first step.
Bake and Share
When the oven’s already on, double the recipe. Deliver a plate of cookies or a loaf of bread to the family across the street. A homemade treat says “you matter” in a way store-bought gifts rarely do—and it’s a gesture that’s hard to forget.
Shop Local Together
Holiday markets and small shops sparkle this time of year. Invite a neighbor to join you for a Saturday stroll through a market or a visit to your favorite boutique. Supporting local businesses strengthens your neighborhood’s character while building friendships at the same time.
Swap Wisdom
Practical advice is a gift, too. Share a trusted babysitter, a reliable plumber, or a snowy trail that only locals know. These little exchanges help new neighbors feel at home and foster a spirit of generosity.
Lend What You Can
Kindness sometimes comes in the form of tools: a ladder, a snow shovel, or a lawnmower. Offering to share resources saves money, builds trust, and sparks a cycle of goodwill.
Keep Watch
If someone’s heading out of town, offer to help with packages or keep an eye on their home. Simple gestures like these bring peace of mind and reinforce the idea that neighbors truly look out for each other.
The magic of the season isn’t only in festive décor or beautifully wrapped gifts. It’s in the everyday ways we care for each other, knitting a neighborhood together. Make this holiday season about connection, the kind that lasts long after the snow melts.
Be Like Ellie Kindness Challenge
Spread Love. Be Kind. Play Music.
You can immediately make a positive difference in the lives of others with small acts of kindness. This fall, join us in the Be Like Ellie Kindness Challenge. Rip this page out, keep it on your fridge and work on checking things off of the checklist! Below you will find a list of things that you can do (both involving a cost and not involving a cost) to help others and make the world a better place.
- Send a kind message to a friend or family member
- Donate blood
- Compliment an employee to their boss
- Encourage someone who seems down
- Help someone carry their groceries
- Shovel a neighbor's driveway
- Contribute books to a Little Free Library
- Donate sheets, towels and blankets to an animal shelter
- Hold the door open for someone
- Bring in treats for your coworkers
- Send flowers to someone unexpectedly
- Pay and deliver a meal for a community member
- Give a barista $20 to start a secret tab for those behind you
- At a store, notice a worker's name tag and say hi using their name
- Return a stranger's cart at the grocery store
- Mail a letter to a friend with a kind message
- Buy someone a copy of your favorite book
For more ideas, or to share your acts of kindness, visit BeLikeEllie.com/Kindness