Subdivision/Neighborhood Events

[nicolewi]

Looks like I am my neighborhood's new social committee chair (I hope I don't regret this later). We have a subdivision of about 40 houses. About 2 years ago, when we moved in, they had just started trying to have a couple social events again after a long lapse.

If your neighborhood or subdivision has fun events, what are they? What works for you? I'm not wanting/planning to start having all kinds of things b/c no one has time for that, but would like ideas for a couple fun events or activities. Pretty much now we just do a summer grill out. 

Also looking for ideas on how to welcome new neighbors. I was thinking just a visit with a gift basket of some sort??

[Deleted]

We don't actually....but....some ideas
Summer grill out
Christmas/holiday or New Years party
Euchre night/game night

Welcome new people with treats and a gift basket that includes some pamphlets about things in your area (our town hall had a bunch that we laid out when we sold our house, so prospective buyers could see what a great area they were buying into.) also...new home things like batteries, command strips for hanging artwork, tape measure, stamps, maybe GC to favorite local places or places like Home Depot or lowes.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

We have a large gazebo for outdoor events/indoor space for winter so a lot. Lots of concerts/movies at the gazebo in summer, TOT in fall, thanksgiving dinner to benefit charity in November, tree lighting/meet Santa in December, May breakfast, and lots of other seasonal stuff I'm forgetting.

[L From The D]

Our subdivision does several events. The biggest is a Halloween parade. Everyone comes out in their costumes and walks through the neighborhood, led by a city fire truck and the high school band. Then there is cider and donuts for everyone in the park.

We also do an Easter Egg Hunt, a end of summer picnic cookout/potluck, and a park clean-up/beautification with pizza lunch. Many of the ladies in the sub have mom night out dinners every other month.

[jensriot]

We have a pretty large subdivision and have lots of activities. Most are aimed at kids because the neighborhood is full of elementary ages. We do

Ice cream social
Popsicle parties
Breakfast with Santa
Coffee socials for seniors
Easter egg hunt
Fall festival (bounce houses, face painting, etc)

[nicolewi]

Wow, some of your subdivisions must be really big and/or active! I don't think we'd have THAT much participation and many families don't have young kids. Great ideas, though! Thank you!

[jnksmom]

I am on our events committee so if you have any questions let me know.
We have a fall chili cook-off. This year we had 11 people enter the contest. The HOA provided gift cards as the prizes for best chili and most unique. The HOA also provided chili toppings and asked everyone to bring a side dish or dessert to share. (Just a tip...you may want to assign that in some way. Two years ago we just said bring a side or dessert and we ended up with like 2 side dishes and a ton of desserts(mostly cookies). We probably had 200+ cookies. After that we assigned it by last name A-M bring a side and N-Z bring dessert.

We also have an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Everyone participating contributes 12 filled eggs and the HOA hides them. The kids love it. We also hide a couple special eggs and have prizes for those.

We have a July 4th parade and cookout also. All of the kids decorate their bikes, scooters, etc and ride through the 'hood together. We have a cop who lives in our neighborhood and leads them around. The HOA provides burgers and dogs and again ask neighbors to bring sides and desserts.

The ladies play Bunco once a month also. We also host a cookie exchange in December.

[chelsmat]

In addition to the other ideas you received, we usually have a holiday movie in the park with a hay ride to look at the neighborhood lights. Usually someone brings hot chocolate, popcorn and other treats. Of course this only works someplace warm