People have so many new and varied dietary restrictions that I'd be too nervous about making something and finding out they couldn't/wouldn't eat it.

When my husband and I moved into our first home about a year ago we were bummed to see no one in our very Southern neighborhood even said hello to us (we are the only 20 something couple in a neighborhood of middle aged families with tons of children, so maybe we stick out?) that it really shied me away from wanting to do the same for new neighbors. I guess I got the feeling if they won't do it for us, seems like it's not wanted at all.

I do wish more people did this though. Its such a sweet welcome. Not the card though. Feels pushy to give someone your doctor, dentist, etc. Like you're pushing it on them.

We're in the same situation in our new neighborhood, jmorri26! Hang in there.

I like the idea.. minus the food part. Now that we deal with our son's food allergies, I no longer think it's appropriate unless you know the person and any restrictions. I still think the nicest way is to just say hi. Introduce yourself and your family. No fuss, just friendliness.

Wow, this idea is great.

@prometheanne & jmorri26 - We were in almost the exact same situation. Our neighborhood is more of a starter home situation, but we faced the same problems. Not to be deterred from my first-time-homeowner dream of knowing everyone around us, I baked cookies around Valentine's Day (was too busy around the other winter holidays, and I figured neighborly love is just as worthy of a V-day treat) and hand delivered them to our closest neighbors. It was a hit and now we know everyone around us and talk with them regularly. Sometimes people are just unsure of how to take the first step, so give it a shot!

I love these cards, but I agree some of the suggestions could be construed as a little pushy (schools, doctors, dentists, etc... usually if people really want help deciding they'll ask directly, and they might not trust a suggestion from someone they've never met before). I would probably make my own version with my name and contact info, and an invitation to ask for any information they need to help them get settled.

manybles, thats a great idea. I may just have to give it a go. We go nuts for Halloween so we were thinking we could show our true colors to everyone then!

I think baked goods are a nice gesture - if you don't/can't eat them, just take them in to work and let someone else enjoy them. When I moved last fall, only one of my neighbors even bothered to come over and introduce himself; I'd have loved it if someone made a gesture like that.

Not a fan of the card, unless you already know that the neighbor(s) is/are moving from a long way away - anyone from the same metro area is already going to have their own doctor, dentist, etc. A card that just said "welcome, please call if you need anything" with your number and email address would be nice, though.

If most of you are worried about food restrictions/allergies, what about sending your neighbors fresh fruits or veggies? Free groceries are always appreciated

Does anyone know what kind of cookies are in the photo? They look amazing. I want to welcome them to my mouth.

I liked the baked goods idea- evn if they can't eat thm, its the thought that counts. I understand the motivation behind the card but I can also see it as being pushy....

I moved to a brand new development and as each of my neighbors moved in near me I gave them each a tin of gourmet cocoa that I purchased and attached a note to wish them well. It seemed like people thought it was wierd and I had to wonder if they thought I brought it so I could go in their home and see their things. I didnt go in when I stopped by, I just said a quick, hello. I was so disappointed and had hoped that it would bring a a smile to their face. It has made me hesitant to do it again. I think it is so sad that some of you also had less than friendly experiences. I love the idea of welcoming someone with a small token. A nice small pot of herbs can also be a great gift. Most people like chives or basil and they are pretty plants.

There must be something wrong with me. All y'all AT and AT-related sites keep talking about doing these good neighbor and good seller things, and they're all just what I wouldn't want someone to do for me. I would not want to get this card, but I hate to think I'm unfriendly or unneigborly!
That said, dietary restrictions don't mean a thing when it comes to baked goods. The recipients don't have to eat them to get a benefit from them. I once brought stuff over to a newly widowed friend of mine that I knew she wouldn't eat or drink. But it wasn't really for her. It was so she didn't have to bake and brew for all the condoling company that was about to descend on her. Some bread puddings and "gourmet" insta-cappucinno came in real handy. I bet it would for folks moving into a new house too.

And I believe those cookies are a homemade version of Little Debbie's Oatmeal Pies. Which I love, even though they are probably full of toxic chemicals that will kill me.

While getting all the information about the surrounding area sounds useful, it would just be really weird if someone actually gave that stuff to me. I'm about to move and my number 1 concern is that the neighbors aren't too... neighborly. Though, every time I've move I've thought of giving my neighbors a gift since my mothers asian and really shoved that asian gift-giving mentality down my throat but I've always been too terrified that I'd have to talk to them again if I did. Anything more than a name and the hopes that they'd call 911 if my place was on fire is too much information for me.

To anyone actually thinking of doing this, I suggest making it a one time thing and evaluating their reaction before trying to get too involved with your neighbor. fyi, common decently and politeness isn't the same as "hey I want to chat with you everytime I go get the mail from now on"

All the people worrying about dietary restrictions: I think its the thought that counts. I don't have any dietary restrictions, but I am a vegetarian and I have a few dislikes. Still, if somebody would gift me with something I don't want to eat, I would still appreciate the gesture and pass it on to somebody who likes it. If somebody (unknowingly) gives you a gift, that you can't eat and you don't appreciate the gesture, but moan about how they shouldn't give things to other people without knowing if they can eat it- then you are a unthankful dick.

ok, while this goes against my last post, if you ARE going to bake someone you don't know well something I would suggest making a platter with an assortment of different types of cookies (or whatever) chances are there will be at least one thing on there they can eat. Bonus, you can just freeze all those extra different types of cookie doughs and you'll be set for months! ..or days. Oh, and stay away from nuts or other common allergy foods.

Personally, I'm the type that HATES getting things I don't need/want. or as Fulinlin puts it, an unthankful dick. I just really hate the idea of someone wasting their time and money on me if its going to go to waste and would rather get nothing than have their efforts be in vain. I still appreciate the gesture though, just, ugh, I could do without.

When we moved to a new appartment the last thing we thought of is dinner, after a day of carrying boxes up and down stairs our neighbors treated us to dinner, I don't remember what we had and we're not in that complex anymore, but we kept our neighbors

When we moved into our house a very nice lady brought us homemade chocolate walnut cookies along with a nice notecard with her contact information and the names of everyone in her family (kids, etc.). I was meeting so many new people that I was very grateful to have the cheat card, and her family is one of the only that I can now remember names for! Plus, yes, my daughter has a nut allergy, and we've got a resident vegan, so only one of us could enjoy the cookies, but still I was so pleased to have such a nice neighbor. I thought it was incredibly thoughtful and welcoming. It would be nice to have a go-to gift food for people you don't know. Something vegan, gluten-free & nut free should meet the bill. Oh wait, another neighbor gave us a bunch of fresh flowers - so I guess that takes care of dietary restrictions!

I didn't mean to imply that suggesting bringing food you couldn't eat would make you an "unthankful dick".. but I agree with @sberry, that person has just used their time to bake, when they could have spent 30 minutes meeting their new neighbours.

I can appreciate that both the card and food ideas are meant as a gesture to show neighbourly-ness, but not every life moment *needs* to be celebrated with food.

From my view, getting a gift filled with life threatening nuts? Ranks low on the neighbourly scale.