Growing up, I lived on a small cul-de-sac where every Christmas the neighbors would exchange little gifts.  On December 23rd, my mom would hand my sister and me each a bag filled with cookie tins and set us off to deliver our homemade goodies. We lived in a multi-cultural neighborhood and the goodies that we’d come home with included lumpia from our Filipino neighbors, almond cookies from our Chinese neighbors, and baklava from our Greek neighbors.

But it wasn’t just about the goodies. We’d also spend time visiting with our neighbors.

Sometimes, in fact, we’d spend so much time visiting that my mom would holler for us and we’d have to rush home. But, as a result of those Christmas visits, we built life-long relationships with our neighbors. Many are still a part of our lives today.

When I married my husband and we moved into our first house, I couldn’t wait to deliver tins of cookies to my new neighbors. Then we moved to North Dakota and had kids. Now my kids run down the driveway on December 23rd with bags filled with cookie tins. They too like to talk with our neighbors and I often have to call them home.

Not every neighborhood is like that melting pot cul-de-sac of my childhood. In fact, these days, most people don’t know their neighbors, much less exchange gifts with them. And that makes me sad because my life was so enriched by our neighbors who became family to me.

But I get it. Time is short. Everybody is busy. There’s concerts and programs, parties and dinners, gift exchanges and charities. Still, people matter. And that’s something I want my kids to understand. I want them to see our neighbors as extensions of our family.

What you give doesn't have to be fancy. In fact, the best gift of all is a simple visit. So instead of mailing a card to your neighbor, walk it over and chat for a few minutes. And if it's not possible to visit everyone in your neighborhood, that’s okay too. Pick one or two neighbors. If you have the budget, here are some ideas for easy neighbor gifts that will surely bring joy to you and to them:

• Packets of hot cocoa in a dollar store mug
• A “coupon” for free snow removal one time this winter
• Hot apple cider, put it in a disposable cup with lid, and delivered right away.
• A treat for their dog or cat with a stick-on bow
• A stocking filled with candies and chocolates, with an anonymous note tucked inside wishing them a “sweet” Christmas
• A bargain bin movie and a packet of popcorn
• A jar of your homemade jam, pickles or spaghetti sauce, the lid decorated with ribbons and a bow
• Cards or other artwork your kids have made (elderly people, whose own family is far away, really appreciate these handmade gifts)

In the end, it’s not what you give. It’s that you gave. And the relationships that might develop out of a simple gift will bring you joy for generations.

Who in your neighborhood can you reach out to this Christmas with a visit or a simple gift? Who are some other people you can give to this year? Mailman? Trash collector? Delivery people?

Kristy Rose is a Gen X homeschooling mom who sells Avon to support her writing habit. In 2006, God transplanted her to North Dakota. Moving to the state her great-grandparents homesteaded in 1903 and the ensuing adventures on the prairie have deepened her faith and given her a heart-felt understanding of God's amazing mercy and grace. You can get her take on pretty much everything at throughrosecoloredglasses.weebly.com. Read more JOY Blog posts by Kristy.