11 Easy Ways To Make Labor Day, Neighbor Day!

It's Labor Day!


For some, Labor Day is a day off to relax, maybe barbecue, and enjoy a day,well, not laboring. For others, it is the last hold on summer before school and commitments kick into high gear. But what is Labor Day supposed to mean? I decided to do a bit of research to find out. 

Photo found on dol.gove

According to the U.S Department of Labor: “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” The first Labor Day celebration was held in 1882 in New York City -- a hub of industry and a shining example of the achievements of the working man. In these early days, the holiday was celebrated with a parade showing off various trades and organizations, followed by a festival for the amusement of the workers being honored. Essentially, the day was built to celebrate the working man and to give him or her a much needed day off to show gratitude for the labor which keeps America running.

Labor Day is a day to say “thank you” to America’s laborers, but how many of us take the time to show our thanks?  I recently came across an article by Amy of the blog, Teach Mama, describing how she and her family decided to take their day off and make a difference. Inspired by a show on PBS Kids, she decided to make Labor Day, Neighbor Day-- a day filled with helping those nearby and making their day a little bit brighter.  I love this idea, not only because it spreads kindness—something we need more of in this world—but also because it brings us back to the original intention of Labor Day—showing our love and gratitude to those around us.

To help with your Neighbor Day celebration, I have created a list of 11 easy ways to show kindness to those right on your own street:

1. Take over a pretty potted plant for them to enjoy or collect a bouquet from your own garden.

Photo credit: Bruce Cowan

​2. Mow your neighbor’s lawn—This is probably one of the kindest things you can do as most people dread this chore. Make sure you ask first, though!

Photo credit: Rennett Stowe

​3. Place a kind note in their mailbox. It could be a note of encouragement, a compliment on the house or gardening, or even an invitation to have lunch together sometime.

Photo Credit: Darron Birgenheier

4. Take in their trash cans. This is a chore I always put off for some reason. If you know your neighbors well enough to know where they store their cans and you know they won’t mind you walking up their drive, take a couple extra minutes to bring them up from the curb. 

Photo credit: UnknownNet Photography

5. Offer to help carry in groceries. 

Photo Credit: Craig Sunter

6. Offer to weed your neighbor's lawn

Photo credit: Ruth Hartnup

​7. Smile and say hello!

This seems simple, but it’s amazing how such a small act can brighten a day! Check out our post from June about National Smile Power Day to learn how a smile really can make a difference!

​8. Collect any litter that has accumulated along your street

Photo credit: NCDOTcommunications

​9. Pay one of your neighbor's utility bills while you are paying yours

This idea came from the blog Mom It Forward and I absolutely love it. You never know when someone may be struggling between keeping the electricity on and buying groceries. 

Photo credit: Henrik Sandkler Title: It's a Deal, Here's the Money Photo shot during Majornas Loppis, a flea Market in Gothenburg, Sweden Website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63114905@N06/18151984640 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

​10. Make some cookies and bring them over to your neighbor

Now, this is one that may require some previous interaction with your neighbor. For example, you wouldn’t want to make cookies for a neighbor with diabetes or a nut allergy! If you know the person is lonely, bring some lemonade too and offer to stay and chat.

Photo credit: Jet Blaque

​11. Bring over some good books

What better way to share a piece of your heart? For some books that teach the importance of kindness check out our post In A New Light!

These are just a few ideas to get you started!  The great thing about each Neighbor Day activity is that each can be done on any day of the year and by someone of any age! What a great way to teach our children that kindness starts at home.

If these ideas get you energized, consider checking out these organizations for even more inspiration:

 Small Acts Big Change- This group was actually started by kids and continues to be run by children today! They operate under the belief that small acts of kindness can cause big change in this world and from the results of their work—they’re right! Right now and through the whole month of September, Small Acts Big Change is hosting an entire month of Random Acts of Kindness. Each day they challenge their followers and themselves to complete a certain kindness challenge. Are you up for the challenge??

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RandomActsOfKindness.org- An entire website dedicated to random acts of kindness! Check out the website for kindness ideas, stories, and resources for spreading kindness in your school or workplace.




Let us know in the comments how you plan on celebrating Labor Day—or Neighbor Day—this year! 

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