Today, I delivered bags of homemade candy and cookies to several of our neighbors. Every single one of them was obviously shocked that I brought them something. I took some to just a couple neighbors last year (who have since moved) and got the same reaction. Growing up, we always gave our neighbors some homemade treats at Christmas. Has this tradition gone out of fashion? Does anyone else do this?

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), December 22, 2001

Answers

I guess it depends on how well you know them vs. how well they think they know you. Depending on where you live and your work schedule, you could easily know your work- or schoolmates better than your neighbors. Some neighbors where friends live they saw so seldom that they weren't sure they even belonged in the neighborhood, lol, and they probably thought the same of them!

In some places, people seem not to do the neighbor thing--might be a "I won't bother you (or get into a quid pro quo situation) so hopefully you won't bother me" type thing. I think it is especially true when you live in apartments or housing tracts where you are literally on top of each other, so you might figure you need some space. And not everybody gets along with their neigbhors, as can be seen on other posts. Also, people tend to move so much you don't have a chance to get to know some neighbors.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), December 22, 2001.

Cindy heck kansas is not to far ill be your neighbor.enything for home made candy.lol bye Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), December 22, 2001.

I take a plate of goat milk fudge to the post office, the corner mom & pop grocery store, our tractor dealer, and anyone else that has helped me through out the year. Most are surprised, and some really look forward to it. Happy holidays.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), December 24, 2001.

I bake like crazy the first week of December. Then, package the assorted cookies and fudge up into small packages and start delivering. The post office, the library ladies, the bank tellers, the neighbor across the road (we only have one neighbor), the woman who cuts our hair, the hardware and grocery store. If I know they like farm eggs, they get a dozen eggs with their cookies. I also keep several of these packages on hand for anyone who stops in during the holidays. Most of these people work full time and are really appreciative of the gift. I think they were surprised the first year we moved here (less than 400 in our town), but now are used to it. Around here I don't think I'm the only one doing it. This is just the way my mother brought me up and I can't not do it.

-- Rose Marie Wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), December 24, 2001.