Good neighbors within your neighborhood or community are one of life’s greatest blessings. Mutual respect, trust and friendship between people deserve appreciation. Who is your neighbor?

Neighbors are not only those in your neighborhood or street. They are people in your community and town.

What can you do to show appreciation? This question may have many answers depending on the person’s personality, likes and dislikes, and situation. This suggestion list is to help you think of ways to let your neighbors know they are appreciated.

Send them a note

Tell them face to face

Publicly thanked them in front of groups or families

Thank them on the internet in a blog or Facebook

Attend and volunteer in neighborhood gatherings

Local shelters, senior centers, soup kitchens

Invest your time one on one, not just through donations

Pick up trash where needed

Volunteer to beautify areas, weed, mow, and plant flowers

Watch their homes and animals when out of town

Water their yards and flowers

Walk their dog

Cook 2 dinners and take one to neighbors

Be there for them in difficult times

Volunteer to babysit for newborns

Get involved in neighborhood sports, coach or umpire

Offer to babysit or color with toddlers

Hold newborn babies

Visit the local children’s hospital

Keep up with accomplishments and cut out newspaper honors for them.

Compliment the strengths of children.

Listen to them when they need a friend or advice.

Get involved in elections

Go to town meetings

Volunteer your time and talents

Join a civic club

Join a church and volunteer

Join a community watch program

Tools

Lawnmower

Bikes and special things

There are always times when others need help

Give them a ride when having car trouble

Cookouts

Pot luck dinners

Christmas Caroling

Open house mixers

Put balloons on mailboxes, front yards with new babies

Take deserts, dinners to neighbors just because

Support your neighbors in new endeavors

Send flowers

Give gifts

Cut out newspaper articles that highlight neighbors and send.

If there is a death, it is a tradition to bring food to that family.

There are so many ways to say thank you and that you are appreciated. This list provides suggestions on ways to start.

Remember being a good neighbor can mean different things to different people. Caution is advised when neighbors want to stay to themselves. Some families prefer to keep a distance.

To be friendly, wave and say hello is always a good way to get to know your neighbors. Community activities are ways to get to know them much better.