Mugs & Mingling- A Driveway Hot Cocoa Party!
Neighbors gather over hot cocoa
Neighbors in Stratton Meadows gathered for the 2nd annual Hot Cocoa Party, and the event truly lived up to the phrase “cup filling” in every sense of the word.
Hosting a gathering can feel overwhelming. It can feel awkward to invite people into your home. The thought of deep cleaning for guests can become the final excuse not to host at all. But community connection does not require perfect living rooms or complicated planning. Sometimes the best solution is also the simplest. Allow us to introduce you to the driveway gathering!
For the second year in a row, neighbors gathered right in the driveway of Kelly Bull, Hey Neighbor’s Executive Director, to sip steaming mugs of homemade hot cocoa, catch up with familiar faces, and warmly welcome new neighbors into the community. Instead of formal invitations or elaborate setups, this gathering stayed rooted in exactly what makes neighborhood connection work. Keep it easy. Keep it welcoming. Keep it human.
The entire event cost under $20. That is it. Kelly provided a crockpot full of hot chocolate, and neighbors were asked to bring their own lawn chairs, mugs, and a snack if they felt like it. A few extra chairs and mugs were on hand to make sure everyone was included. One of the highlights of the night was when neighbor Gerri arrived with her famous homemade peppermint marshmallows, a sweet treat that quickly became the star of several cocoa cups.
What makes gatherings like this work is consistency. Building community happens when neighbors have regular opportunities to connect. Consistency happens when the barrier to hosting stays low. No elaborate menus. No big budgets. No formal guest lists. Just a reason to stand next to one another and talk.
Conversations sparked future plans, and after learning about a neighbor’s sourdough baking talent, a new idea was born to next host a “Toast Party”. Because one gathering often leads to the next.
Connection really does work this way. It does not need to be complicated or expensive. It simply takes initiative and the courage to start small.
Have a great idea for a simple and low-cost gathering? We would love to hear your suggestions. Your idea could be the spark that helps another neighborhood come together.
