4. Come armed with gifts.

If you want to bite the bullet and knock on the door, bringing an edible treat to offer the neighbors is a convenient and delicious excuse. Whether or not the neighbors like your famous apple pie or green bean casserole isn’t the point—it’s the gesture itself that’s going to win you points. And if they know their manners, your neighbors will return your plate or Tupperware dish with homemade goodies of their own, giving you another chance to talk and solidifying the friendly vibes.

5. Extend party invites beyond your inner circle.

Having a dinner party or similar gathering? What a perfect time to invite the neighbors over! Again, it’s all about the gesture; they may or may not come, but more importantly, they’ll recognize the invitation as an olive branch. If they do come, all the better. A casual party setting tends to put people more at ease and in the mood to chat. Plus, the next time they have a party of their own, perhaps they’ll ask you to come over, too. Don’t forget to ask them in person about coming to the party; it shows you really care and will increase the chances of them coming.

6. Organize a neighborhood event.

Communities are often strengthened by coming together for a specific cause, be it a garage sale, donation drive, or barbecue block party. It’s going to take some organizing on your part, especially in terms of getting the word out there. Start by approaching a few neighbors to get their opinion on potential themes, times, and so forth. Then make up snazzy fliers and visit your neighbors door to door to alert them about the event.

7. Take the community to the digital age.

I know I previously bemoaned the fact that much of our communication occurs online nowadays, but the fact is that the Internet is a convenient way to organize events and get conversations started. You could start a neighborhood-specific blog or compile an email list to prompt discussion about relevant events, such as that upcoming garage sale you’re planning. Just don’t utilize the Internet in lieu of face-to-face time with your neighbors; it should be an enhancement to real life relationships, not a replacement for them.

Though there are numerous reasons why being friends with neighbors is beneficial, many of us still have a tough time opening ourselves up and putting in the effort that creating friendships takes. But even if you think you have enough friends or you don’t feel particularly connected to your neighbors, building a solid, positive relationship with them is the best way to ensure that your community is safe, secure, and filled with people who care enough to watch out for each other. Besides, you never know who you’ll connect with (and how deep that connection will be) unless you try. Ask for a cup of sugar and you may get a new best friend—or maybe even a whole new community and circle of friends—as a result.

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