Just Moved In, Gifts for Neighbors? Hispanic Area :)

I agree with KiKi, bake some cookies. You can't go wrong with food. Have a BBQ & invite them over. There is nothing wrong with hospitality. You are in Texas. Texans are famous for their hospitality!

Cookies? Flowers? Some home made banana bread? Anything you like really....

It is the thought that counts.

We have a wonderful family across the street that is of a different religion than us, and we include them in all our holidays/celebrations the same as everyone else. When we take something over we don't go into the reason we made it, other than to say, "This is for you, we thought you might like it." And they always do.

One's culture really doesn't need to be a main focus in a gift, and food is a universal one that everyone appreciates. If you have a specialty you like to make, be it cookies, cake, bread, etc., make some up and take it over and chat awhile. You may find your neighbors are not so different from you. BTW, I am Hispanic : )

You sounds like a wonderful person. I am hispanic and I think that you are trying too hard. Speaking about my family we are very similar to probably your family as well. Just because we are hispanic does not mean that we do special things or certain things or will turn up our noses if something is not perfect. I don't neccessarily think they will expect a gift from you as that is not in our culture. And at the same time they probably will not bring you over a gift or food to welcome you to the neighborhood because we simply don't do that either. I do because I am more americanized since I grew up in America. I am sure your little bit of spanish can go a long way. Also, most families that do not speak english have children that speak english and will translate. Just be yourself and walk over there and introduce yourself and that would be enough. For me we are all about getting to know one another and watching out for neighborhood kids. It is not about gifts or anything else like that. We enjoy people and get togethers. Just be yourself and I am sure they will love you. I already do lol.......Best wishes to you and your new neighborhood. I do understand your need to want to be accepted in your area because we once moved into a house and our neighbors were very skeptical about us because the people that lived there before were into illegal stuff and we did not know that when we bought the house. Apparently the guy we bought it from would lease it to anyone and everyone so we had a hard time but after time everyone came around but it did not happen over night. So be patient and let your actions speak louder than words and they will come around.

I agree with JL,, you shouldnt feel any different about being the new neighbor than you would in any other neighborhood. I find it odd you feel the need to give them gifts. If anything, bake some cookies and take them each a small plate and introduce yourself. If you dont already know, ask what day the trash goes to the street, and whats the best cable co in the are, where the fun coffee shops are and the same stuff you might ask any neighbor. In a few weeks, when its nice weather, go door to door and invite them to a nice neighborhood bbq and tell them you are cooking burgers and hot dogs and ask them to bring some yummy dish to share. Id be more willing become friends with a new neighbor who does this. Or mind your own business, and let things flow naturally in time.

I've never heard of a new neighbor taking gifts to neighbors. Per etiquette, it is the other way around.

Just be yourself, be friendly and approachable and brush up on your Spanish.

Oh good lord, some of these answers are exactly what is wrong with society. I can't believe how unfriendly & stand offish people are nowadays. It's sad that something so simple is being read into so much & not being taken for the simple thing that it is.

Don't listen to these answers, OP. Bake some chocolate chip cookies & bring them over. The parents and kids WILL appreciate them. I know I would appreciate a kind gesture like that.

It has nothing to do with race, it has to do with being a good neighbor & trying to be part of a community. Oh, the horror.

I also live in an almost entirely Hispanic neighborhood. Wendy's ideas were lovely, but I don't know one family around us that drinks wine...unfortunately. I know the families around us are not necessarily great financially. They have large families, usually. I think food is a great idea! If you have families with kids, you could do baskets with snacks for kids...pudding, fruit snacks, crackers, etc. You could include some fresh fruits for the adults. You could do summer themes, for the baskets. Buckets for kids, water balloons, sidewalk chalk, guns, etc. (all can be found at the dollar store.) Kids in our neighborhood spend a lot of time outside.

In response to J L's comment: There was a bit of uneasiness when we moved in, too. It was more because the renters before us were terrible, and the people who owned the house had a history of not getting good people. And, there are cultural differences! Like the wine, as I mentioned. It had nothing to do with us being white, it was just the history of people in that house. I think gifts are a wonderful idea, and show you care about the house and neighborhood. I wish we had thought of that!!

Um...they should be welcoming YOU with a small gift. Seriously.

Get a big box of ice cream sandwiches or freezer pops or something & pass them out to all the kids next hot day. Now THERE's a language we ALL understand!

we moved in here and nobody brought anybody a gift. ive lived here 9 years and still dont know some of my neighbors names. its sad. and i probably have 20 nationalities on my street alone. anyway, i know what you were getting at. i live in one of the most culturally mixed neighborhoods ever, and i used to teach in queens, same thing there. its great, i love it. and there definitely are things it wouldnt hurt to know. ...when i was teaching, and i was having a heavy conversation with a kid i would always tell him to look me in the eyes, later learned thats a big no no in some cultures. another mom came in crying so upset because i sent home stuff with her childs name written in red. for no other reason than i used all the colors, i prob just had a red pen on my desk that day. she taught me that it meant death and i felt just awful. i sure wish someone had told me. i had a child from one country who hated another kid simply because he was supposed to because their countries hate each other,i didnt know, and i always put them together in groups just for academic reasons, they had similar needs. wish i had known. so just saying, i know what you meant when you asked that. yes, people are people, and i really think it depends more on the neighborhood than on the culture. but if one culture is predominant where you live or work, it wouldnt hurt to know more. .... oh, and in any case, i agree that its not the newbie that brings anything, if anything is to be brought. ...but i dont see anything wrong with inviting someone over for a cup of coffee if you get to know them a little....

I always take what George Bailey gave to the Martini's for a housewarming gift in "it's a wonderful life" a loaf of bread - that this house may never know hunger. a container of salt - that life may always have flavor. and a bottle of wine - that joy and prosperity may reign forever. I stick a little note in that says that. you could have a friend write that out in spanish for you. i forgot to add that you could go to a Trader Joe's if theres one around you and get some "two buck chuck" wine that is excellent!

I am a Caucasian woman married to a Hispanic man and just wanted to let you know to RELAX. That's the number one thing I've learned from being part of my wonderful "new" huge family. I was always trying too hard to make everything perfect and formal and that just made me and everyone else uncomfortable. I wanted to do incredible, "special" things for everyone and quickly found out that the best times are just all about family having fun together.

Definitely don't bring gift baskets or toys for the kids (trying too hard). But, nothing would go over better than a BBQ! Don't ask for anyone to bring anything... they probably will anyway... And, keep it simple. Our typical menu is Brisket and Chicken with Burgers or Hot Dogs for the kids.... Beans and Potato Salad and Bread. And we have Banana Pudding and Cookies for dessert. Don't forget the salsa and/or pico de gallo (chopped onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro and salt and pepper). For drinks we just have a cooler full of ice and a bunch of 2-liter bottles of Coke, Dr. Pepper and Big Red and pitchers of Iced Tea and Kool Aid. If you notice that the neighbors drink, you can also have a cooler of beer, but around here everyone just shows up with their own. Just invite the neighbors over to eat and you'll be golden!

The other great idea I heard was the popsicles for the kids. But, make sure that you have them ASK their parents before giving them anything. That has nothing to do with your ethnicity. Just some kids (like mine) have serious food allergies.... Set up a little wading pool and a lawn sprinkler and the kids will have a blast!

And, if you aren't ready to do anything as big as a BBQ, yet, just sit outside in the yard with your hubby and watch the kids play. Offer the neighbors a soda or a beer if you happen to see them. Or drop off a loaf of banana bread or some cookies and introduce yourself. Friendliness is universal!

Wish you were our new neighbor! We could use friendly people like you in our neighborhood...

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coca cola in the glass bottles !!
i am not hispanic, that i know of. but i do know coca cola in the glass bottles is very , very sought after in the hispanic communities
yummy.
K. h

I live in North Oak Cliff, a very mixed area of Dallas, and nothing brings our neighbors all together like drinks on the porch or bbq. Stop your neighbors as they walk by and say hello, offer them a drink or goody of any sort and generally be pleasant.

My first thought was a BBQ - July 4th is coming up and they may already have plans, but you never know! It's very sweet of you. And honestly, I only have high school Spanish - I can't say much more than hello, how are you, etc., but people appreciate the effort. Don't worry about how much you speak, just say hola :)

Yeah, no gifts. I didn't even expect gifts from my new neighbors when I moved into my house. All I expected was a friendly wave and hoped for some introductions. Get to know your neighbors the same as you would anywhere else.

I never understand why people include the ethnic population in their questions. People are people.

Edited to add: Wow April C., over-reaction much? I wasn't being judgmental so seriously get over yourself. I moved into a multi-cultural neighborhood where pretty much every ethnicity you can think of is represented. I would have looked pretty foolish trying to come in as a newcomer giving people gifts based on their ethnic stereotypes rather than just looking at them as PEOPLE. When new people move into our neighborhood I welcome them and bring them treats I've cooked in my kitchen based on what I typically would make my family. Not because I looked at their skin and thought, "Hmmm what would they like based on their cultural background?"

No matter the culture, a new neighbor doesn't need to bring gifts. If anything, it should be the other way around. I'd just continue to be polite and friendly. If you bring gifts to people, you may look a little overly-friendly or desperate.

I get the impression that you're uncomfortable having Hispanic neighbors, like maybe you haven't in the past? Just treat your new neighbors like anyone else... and brush up on a little conversational Spanish if you can!

I have to agree with J L. Usually it's the neighbors who bring some welcoming token to the new neighbor. If they feel neighborly, anyway. There are plenty of unfriendly people in the world, of every culture and nationality, and some neighborhoods are much "warmer" than others.

People might wonder what you're trying to accomplish with gift baskets, and it could set some people's expectations too high. Does an open house meet-and-greet sound doable to you? People are often put at ease when food is available. Easy finger food and beverages, a few minutes to chat about children, local schools, the weather. Exchange phone numbers with your closest neighbors and agree to watch out for strange goings-on in the neighborhood. Kids can often serve as translators for their parents. You could extend your invitation to a few more houses that way, and keep costs down.

You sound like a lovely person and deserve lots of credit for wanting to do something nice. Just ignore any and all posts from people who read anything, and I mean anything, negative in what you are trying to accomplish. Do as much or as little as you feel comfortable with and if you need to move again, please consider my neighborhood. We'll welcome you with open arms!!

Yes people are people. All people have the same basic needs. But there ARE cultural differences and different "rules" in different places, and anyone that says they don't understand that haven't been anywhere or done anything much outside their own norms, frankly. There are little nuances that are interpreted differently, depending on what you're used to.
On the simplest level, the other day someone was asking about who invites who (family) for a visit. Some were "offended" that they were supposed to ask someone to come over for a set time, when they felt the guest was supposed to notify them and say "can we come ___". I on the otherhand, and many that I know, feel the exact opposite and would be annoyed at anyone other than very close friends and my mom for inviting themselves. I as the host will say "we'd love to see you, what's your schedule look like around ___?" When I was in Kenya, we were in a mud hut sitting on tiny little stools visiting a 14 year old boy and his 3 wives to discuss an uncomfortable issue, when his mother came in. I dunno, out of habit I saw an "old" lady and jumped up out of my seat and offered it to her, then realized "hey idiot, there's a chair right there by the door and you just asked her to walk further". I felt so stupid. But there was a lot of commotion, everyone was talking all at once, I had no idea what was happening, and got nervous. The translator whispered "why did you do that, do you know what you did?" I had a lump in my throat and thought we were gonna get clubbed to death or something, I had was scared. But then everyone was quiet and the mom announced that she saw that I was a woman of great wisdom and respect (for her culture) and that I was welcome to say what I'd come to say (whereas before, they were defensive about stealing the chicken, now they were able to hear what I came to say, and agreed to make it right with their neighbors). This happened BECAUSE I accidentally did the right thing. In their culture, it is a serious faux pas to have the mother sit on the same side of the hut as her boy, once he has married. The only other seat was by him, but I jumped up and offered my seat across the way, and I myself sat in the other seat, which was perfect. Just one of a million examples where doors can be opened or closed because of ethnic rules that others don't necessarily know. (The translator and others from the school I was at were viewed as meddlers, but they respected me for respecting their ways, and it opened doors much easier). So lay off the judgmental sounding replies about "people are people" and "I don't know why people include ethnic population", etc. I think it's nice that she was wanting to be a good, welcoming neighbor, even if it isn't "the norm".
Now, that said: yeah I am absolutely the chick who brings a bottle of wine or a homemade apple cheesecake to the new neighbors when they move in, and welcome them to the neighborhood. I bring my boys and husband and we introduce ourselves but don't take but a couple minutes because we're sure they're busy. I do this because at the last house I purchased, all my neighbors did it for me and I felt SO good, and wanted to pass that on. But no, I wouldn't think it'd flip. In the military community, it probably does because there's a built in comradery there, but not in "civilian life". Just be nice. Being neighborly is kinda casual, and just happens.

I have to admit, this sounds like a case of "feeling guilty for being white".

If you truly do want to get to know your neighbors then just socialize with them when they are outside and they will eventually figure out that you are a decent neighbor and the news will spread.