Share Your Neighborhood Acts of Kindness
Chalk art, teddy bear hunts and rainbows: Show us how your community spreads cheer while social distancing
Several weeks into sheltering at home, many of us are grappling with the effects of social isolation. But that hasn’t completely diminished our capacity to create a strong sense of community and connection with our neighbors. Simple yet thoughtful gestures — a simple handwritten “Thank you” sign taped to the window or an inspiring sidewalk message left in chalk — can bring us together and warm our hearts.
Homeowners and pros: Share a photo in the Comments of something uplifting you spotted in your neighborhood. Or share a story of how your family has tried to spread joy or humor for your neighbors. Maybe it’s a witty lawn sign, a concert from your porch or a creative window display to put a smile on the faces of passersby. We’ll feature some of the best photos and feel-good moments in an upcoming story.
Homeowners and pros: Share a photo in the Comments of something uplifting you spotted in your neighborhood. Or share a story of how your family has tried to spread joy or humor for your neighbors. Maybe it’s a witty lawn sign, a concert from your porch or a creative window display to put a smile on the faces of passersby. We’ll feature some of the best photos and feel-good moments in an upcoming story.
Photo by Reka Kovács
Then, to the siblings’ surprise, a street sweeper came by and started to honk and drive around in circles in the intersection. “The kids were super happy, jumping up and down, waving to the driver,” Kovács says.
The street sweeper drove away, but then returned several minutes later. The driver, Joseph Moreno, rolled down his window and handed Martin a Baskin-Robbins gift card to make his birthday a little sweeter. “It was a very heartwarming, very special day that we would never forget,” Kovács says.
Tell us: Have you helped to celebrate a friend’s birthday or a milestone from a creative social distance? Or helped to acknowledge a neighbor’s special day virtually? Share a photo.
Then, to the siblings’ surprise, a street sweeper came by and started to honk and drive around in circles in the intersection. “The kids were super happy, jumping up and down, waving to the driver,” Kovács says.
The street sweeper drove away, but then returned several minutes later. The driver, Joseph Moreno, rolled down his window and handed Martin a Baskin-Robbins gift card to make his birthday a little sweeter. “It was a very heartwarming, very special day that we would never forget,” Kovács says.
Tell us: Have you helped to celebrate a friend’s birthday or a milestone from a creative social distance? Or helped to acknowledge a neighbor’s special day virtually? Share a photo.
Photo by Olivia Zuck
Are You Leaving Messages of Encouragement?
Olivia Zuck, People Experience manager at Houzz, saw this handmade banner hanging outside her apartment building in Menlo Park, California, with the words, “Welcome home baby Julia.” The thoughtful gesture was a surprise for a mother bringing home her newborn.
Are You Leaving Messages of Encouragement?
Olivia Zuck, People Experience manager at Houzz, saw this handmade banner hanging outside her apartment building in Menlo Park, California, with the words, “Welcome home baby Julia.” The thoughtful gesture was a surprise for a mother bringing home her newborn.
Photo by Gwendolyn Purdom
These handmade signs with messages of gratitude for essential workers and those working on the medical front lines were spotted in the front yard of a home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, by Gwendolyn Purdom while on a walk in her neighborhood.
These handmade signs with messages of gratitude for essential workers and those working on the medical front lines were spotted in the front yard of a home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, by Gwendolyn Purdom while on a walk in her neighborhood.
Photo by Christine Chen
Christine Chen and her son and daughter drew thank-you signs and put together a box of sanitized snacks for online delivery workers in her Table Mesa neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado.
Show us: Are there any signs of appreciation or uplifting messages in your neighborhood that have brightened your day? Has your town or building coordinated to applaud health care workers at the same time every night? Or has your family put together any signs of gratitude for neighbors to see? Take a photo and share it with us in the Comments.
Christine Chen and her son and daughter drew thank-you signs and put together a box of sanitized snacks for online delivery workers in her Table Mesa neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado.
Show us: Are there any signs of appreciation or uplifting messages in your neighborhood that have brightened your day? Has your town or building coordinated to applaud health care workers at the same time every night? Or has your family put together any signs of gratitude for neighbors to see? Take a photo and share it with us in the Comments.
Photo by Emily Hurley
Share Your Creative Outdoor Art
Houzz community manager Emily Hurley came across this original sidewalk chalk art with the uplifting words “Smiles are contagious” while on a walk in her Willow Glen neighborhood in San Jose, California.
Share Your Creative Outdoor Art
Houzz community manager Emily Hurley came across this original sidewalk chalk art with the uplifting words “Smiles are contagious” while on a walk in her Willow Glen neighborhood in San Jose, California.
Photo by Catherine Jun
Catherine Jun of Rossmoor, California, spotted this painted rock at a neighborhood park while on a walk with her two young kids.
Show us: Have you created a chalk art masterpiece on your sidewalk or driveway to make your neighbors smile? Or have you come across any special outdoor art in your area? What about holiday decorations or Christmas lights to brighten the mood? Post your photo in the Comments.
Catherine Jun of Rossmoor, California, spotted this painted rock at a neighborhood park while on a walk with her two young kids.
Show us: Have you created a chalk art masterpiece on your sidewalk or driveway to make your neighbors smile? Or have you come across any special outdoor art in your area? What about holiday decorations or Christmas lights to brighten the mood? Post your photo in the Comments.
Photo by Akemi Shuto
Share Your (or Your Neighbors’) Creative Window Displays
In some cities, people prop teddy bears in their front windows to entertain children on “teddy bear hunts.” Akemi Shuto, Japanese content marketing specialist at Houzz, placed these two stuffed teddy bears in a street-facing window of her home in Palo Alto, California.
Share Your (or Your Neighbors’) Creative Window Displays
In some cities, people prop teddy bears in their front windows to entertain children on “teddy bear hunts.” Akemi Shuto, Japanese content marketing specialist at Houzz, placed these two stuffed teddy bears in a street-facing window of her home in Palo Alto, California.
Photos by Diana Ra
Diana Ra took a walk outside with her two young kids in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles and found her neighbors had put up rainbows and a cheery balloon installation in the front windows of their homes.
Your turn: Have you decorated your windows? We’d love to see how you or your neighbors are spreading joy and sharing acts of kindness and solidarity in your community while sheltering at home. Take a picture and tell us about it in the Comments.
More on Houzz
9 Ways to Have Fun at Home While Socially Distancing
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Find a home pro for your next project
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Diana Ra took a walk outside with her two young kids in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles and found her neighbors had put up rainbows and a cheery balloon installation in the front windows of their homes.
Your turn: Have you decorated your windows? We’d love to see how you or your neighbors are spreading joy and sharing acts of kindness and solidarity in your community while sheltering at home. Take a picture and tell us about it in the Comments.
More on Houzz
9 Ways to Have Fun at Home While Socially Distancing
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Find a home pro for your next project
Shop for home products
Show Us the Creative New Ways You Celebrate Milestones
On March 26, Martin Sandoz, pictured at left, celebrated his first double-digit birthday. Instead of celebrating with the backyard bounce house party he had planned with his friends, he spent it at home with his family in Campbell, California. His 12-year-old sister, Katia, right, made a colorful sign asking passing cars to honk as they stood outside on the street corner.
“It was really quiet, no traffic whatsoever,” recalls his mother, Reka Kovács. “He got the first honk from our neighbor who happened to be driving by.”