For those of us who grew up watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, many remember Fred Rogers as a kind, loving man who offered children a calm and stable presence tackling life’s weightiest issues in a simple and direct way. Mister Rogers didn’t call us “acquaintances” or “friends.” He didn’t call us “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen.” He called us “neighbors.”

Whether you are a child or an adult, moving to a new neighborhood can be exciting—but also stressful. Selling, buying, planning, packing, unpacking, finding new doctors, dentists, schools, banks and grocery stores are just a few of what can be very daunting tasks. Something that can help make it all worth while is having a kind and understanding neighbor who makes an effort to introduce themselves and say: “Welcome to the neighborhood!”

Many of us have had the opportunity to welcome a new neighbor. The easiest way into your new neighbor’s heart is through showing you care, which can be done in more than one way. A welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift will brighten the newcomer’s day and ease the hassle of settling in. Typically, gifts are homey and inexpensive, for example, a plate of cookies, a bouquet of garden flowers, a bottle of wine, or even a free gym pass. But does buying a new home really merit a bottle of wine? How about a new air purifier? All that dust from moving in can really build up. Or what about matching food and water bowls for the dogs? Or cats? Lastly, a new diffuser is almost always a winner. After all, there’s nothing like a beach house scent for a new home. If money’s tight, dropping off a neighborhood directory with a nice card, wrapping up some of your favorite take-out menus, or bringing over fresh flowers of herbs from your garden are always sure to please.

Needless to say, being hospitable to newcomers is a time-honored American tradition. Personally, I don’t think it will ever go out of style. Even Sesame Street has it right with the famous lyrics from the song “The People in Your Neighborhood.” After all, according to The Muppets, your neighbors are “the people that you meet when you’re walkin’ down the street, they’re the people that you meet each day!” (The Muppets, n.d.).