Fall in the US means that the holiday season is just around the corner. This can be a fun and eventful time of year filled with apple picking, pumpkin patch visits, Trick or Treating, and spending the holidays with friends and family. It can also be a lonely time for those of us who don’t have loved ones nearby or a strong local community to celebrate with. This made me wonder – how do you build your community and celebrate the holiday season with a larger network when it can be so hard to meet new people in our busy everyday lives?
This holiday season, try these 3 impactful ways to build your community:
1. Build your local community by adopting a community-centered mindset
We are busy and our plates are full. Is there a way for us to build our community without doing more than we already are? Yes, we can, by adding a community-centered mindset to our everyday actions.
What does that mean, exactly?
Community centered mindset is the idea that we can do the normal things that we do in our everyday lives while keeping a larger circle of care in mind that might benefit from these actions.
Here are some examples:
- Buying pumpkins for the holidays? Get an extra two and offer them to older neighbors who might not be able to carry them home or afford to buy one in the first place.
- Came back from apple picking? Take your extra apples to share at your next playground visit.
- Purchasing flowers for the holiday? Make mini bouquets to give to local businesses or neighbors.
- Have Thanksgiving leftovers? Make some plates to take to someone who might not be able to cook elaborate meals anymore.
- Making Christmas cards? Create a few extras to drop off at a local retirement home.
- Using an online shopping service? Text a neighbor to see if there is an item or two they’ want’d like to add to your order.
- Need a ride to the airport? Hire a neighbor who offers paid trips rather than using a service.
2. Build your community by redefining who you include in it
One of the impactful aspects of a village is its diversity of age, abilities and experience. This holiday season, look beyond your current network to include neighbors, work colleagues, less-known families at school, staff at local businesses, and non-profits in the area.
Here are some examples of what redefining community could look like:
- Having an informal holiday get-together? Invite people you don’t know so well from your work, neighborhood or child’s school, or attend new local events yourself.
- Outside playing with your kids? Talk to ALL the people you meet there – it’s worth it. Read Why talking to strangers can make us smarter for the science behind how talking to strangers improves our wellbeing.
- Know of a non-profit in your area? check their volunteering page to identify future volunteering events for you and your family.
What all these acts have in common is that they allow us to cast our net wider than we usually would. They also teach our kids to think beyond who they know and like already and to recognize the meaningful connections that can be made locally if we just pay attention.
3. Build Your Local Community by sending out open Invitations and requests for help
Lastly, ask for help and send out open invitations for people to take part in projects or events you are working on.
What does asking for help have to do with building community? It gives people who don’t know you as well the opportunity to participate in a way that highlights their values, intentions, and interests.
Here are some ideas to try:
- Is your neighborhood a popular Halloween destination? Leave a note on the front lawn for neighbors to stop by for some pre Trick O’ Treating snacks.
- Making some handmade gifts with your kids for the holidays? Send an invitation for classmates to join.
- Planning to decorate for Christmas or Chanukah? Invite neighbors to decorate with you using lights and other decorations they aren’t planning to use this year.
- Have snow chains and winter gear but live in a warmer climate? Let your friends know so they can borrow them for some snow play.
- Take part in a holiday collection for the unhoused? Invite your local Facebook/Buy Nothing/NextDoor groups to contribute.
- Planning to buy books for the holiday? Invite neighbors to stop by and swap an adult or kids’ book they love for another of their choice.
- Planning to volunteer with your family this holiday season? Consider identifying a neighbor in need and inviting the local community to come together for a deep clean and small household repairs instead.
The important thing here is not to make more work yourself but to identify activities you’d like to do anyway and consider how they can become an opportunity to build a local community.
Want to learn more ways to build community and create a stronger support system? Read 11 Simple Ways for Moms to Build Their Support Network next.