Comments about ‘That's mighty neighborly — Readers offer suggestions for Christmas gifts’

Who would ever give a neighbor a new washer and dryer for Christmas?

Great ideas to add to the list! Thanks!

Some neighborhoods go soooo overboard with these Christmas gifts and goodies, trying to one-up the other neighbors. My favorite one we received was a nice Christmas card from a family that said in lieu of goodies, they had donated to the American Cancer Society in our name. Think of all the good we could accomplish if we put $2 to $5 (or however much those neighbor gifts each cost) for each friend towards a worthy cause!

i know that i don't want more candies or goodies this time of year, i seriously don't need more sweets around the house!
this year i'm giving something practical- i am giving each of my neighbors a light bulb (and seriously, who doesn't use them?) and a card wishing them a merry and bright christmas

Biggest Loser Family Cookbook? (but undoubtedly lots of people could use them)

Love the idea of the "washer & dryer" dishcloth & towel!!!!

"Who would ever give a neighbor a new washer and dryer for Christmas?"

It is a little joke Kat - a washcloth and towel for doing dishes not a real washer and dryer.; kDuh

We gave a box of tissues and stated "Bless You" This Holiday Season. Last year a neighbor gave us a garbage bag to "help clean up the new year." I have given car freshners, paper towels, rolls of tape and wrapping paper (this is a plan ahead item)if you get it on sale right after Christmas for the next year. I like useful items not more food, unless it is something that I can make in the future.

Invite all the neighbors you'd normally give a gift to your house for cocoa and ask for a couple of dollars donation. Explain this can be each neighbor's gift to each other by giving a couple of dollars and taking the whole amount to a local charity. Better than dust catchers, washers and dryers and tissue.

Our neighborhood stopped giving neighborhood gifts about 10 years ago. Instead, we all donate the amount we would spend to a local charity. A couple of families collect and deliver the goods. We don't miss the food and it is wonderful to see the amount of toys, clothes and cash gathered to go to someone that needs it. We have done Sub for Santa, Women's crisis center, Indian Charities and more. Cards are still sent around the neighborhood and we all know we love and care for each other.

I really like the idea of a casual neighborhood gathering that benefits a charity. The point of the gifts is to express love, but with busy lives perhaps the best gift would be to donate some time and with so many in need, why are wasting money on trivial things that often ruin our health?

Because sometimes it's okay to just have a little fun, eat things you aren't supposed to, and forget that the world is a mess. Lighten up people. Money to charity is a great idea, but don't tear down the offering of an old fashioned plate of goodies. It's still offered with love.

I absolutely love these ideas. My family and moved last year from a large city to a small neighborhood in a different state. I can not tell you how these little thoughtful gifts helped our family feel loved and welcomed. Thanks for the cute ideas my family and I can use this Christmas..

To All My Democrat Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!