So you’ve found the house, picked out fresh paint colors, and told the movers where everything goes. You are officially the new kid on the block and unless you’ve chosen a subdivision your bestie recommended because she lives there, it can feel exciting and isolating at the same time, I get it.
“Anyone that says cliques end in high school has obviously never been through the ordeal of trying to make mom friends,” gripes Facebook blogger MomsGotInk.
A quick scan of any HOA page confirms how hard it can be to make new friends depending on interests or stage of life … there may be toddler groups or running groups or Bible study groups. It may also feel intimidating to jump into an established club.
What if your opportunity to meet-and-greet lies in the very room that was a top value point when you were touring houses only days or weeks before? The Kitchen, the heart of your home, is also potentially the heart of your neighborhood. Using that space to your advantage will rapidly make you a community staple.
Deliver cookies: Nothing says hello quite like ringing the bell with a plate of snickerdoodles and a handwritten note to join you for coffee one morning in the near future.
Grocery store: Some stores are known for fruits, others for meats and cheeses. When you first relocate to an area, unless you ask a local, there’s no way to know! Yet, everyone shops, so why not stop the car when you see the neighbor at their mailbox to ask? Easiest icebreaker you’ll ever use.
Plan a happy hour: Admit that you are the newest gossip topic and post an invite for one evening soon. Lay out some light hors d’oeuvres, a bottle of bubbly and enjoy listening to everyone compliment changes done that make the house yours.
Swap a meal: I’m not what I’d call a cook, though I do like to make meatballs. My neighbor, who reigns from New Orleans, likes to make red beans and rice. Recently I reached out to her to arrange a trade. On the day we met to exchange dishes, we were also able to take a few moments to talk and find out more about each other. While it may take a little more investigation to figure out who makes what you want or who wants what you make, it’s another opportunity to introduce 2 families to each other.
The kitchen is considered the most important space because it’s where the family joins throughout the day for meals, it only make sense to use that as a jumping off point to make new friends.