Our neighborhood is known for having an amazing block party every spring – it’s an event we all look forward to and help plan and carry out. This year, however, we held the first ever Christmas block party and I think the turnout surpassed our spring event. We have some caterers that live in our area and they volunteered to be over the food. They handed out recipes and people signed up to make them – we had a ham and potatoes dinner for over 300 people and it was delicious!
Following dinner we had a simple yet beautiful program. A few neighbors sang songs they had prepared, we had a short live nativity (that our family was a part of) and a beautiful candle lighting presentation that someone put together. It was beautiful to see a once dark night slowly come to life through the glow of candle light.
Briggs might have been the most excited sheep you have have ever seen. (and with a little practice he completely nailed his part!)
This is what I love about neighborhood block parties: it builds a stronger community. I know my immediate neighbors well. But go 10 houses in either direction and unless we have kids that go to school together or we go to church together we may never cross paths – except at the block party. I met so many new faces and I reconnected with old neighbors that I don’t see nearly enough. What’s interesting is, we have a relatively small neighborhood, so when you introduce yourself to someone you always describe what house you live in. Of course, that person has probably driven by your house countless times and could probably recognize your kids, “Oh, I know where you live…you guys always have a bunch of kids playing in your front yard.” Yep, we sure do!
Another thing I love about these block parties, I always walk away excited for new friendships and loving where we live.
