Lemonade Stand
“What do you give a lemon that has been hurt? Lemon-Aid.”
Practice Lemonade Stand
1 cup sugar + 1 cup water to make simple syrup. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil, stir it until the sugar is dissolved, allow to cool.
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice. About 6 lemons.
2 -3 cups cold water. Pour cold water into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice, add simple syrup to taste.
Serve over ice. If you're feeling fancy, garnish with a fresh lemon slice.
Serve with a smile.
A lemonade stand is a nostalgic way to connect with neighbors. It is a playful summer practice to be present in your neighborhood.
A lemonade stand is the original pop-up business. Historically been operated by children, a lemonade stand provides all the foundational practices for connecting with your neighbors – creativity, communication, resilience, and kindness.
A lemonade stand is a practice in being creative. The sign, stand, and sales are all aspects where you can express your personality and creativity. Use your name as a part of your lemonade stand to help your neighbors get to know you.
A lemonade stand requires resilience. Sitting outside in the summer can be a hot and long lesson in being patient. Spending a day in front of your home, you will learn the rhythms and regulars of your neighborhood. A lemonade stand is both a playful and persevering practice of being present.
A lemonade stand provides a beginning to interacting with neighbors you don’t know. The lemonade stand is where children practice speaking to patrons. Talking to an adult when you are less than 4 feet tall can seem intimidating. Talking to neighbors, even when you are 40 years old, can be intimidating too. A lemonade stand is a playful way for children, and adults, to become comfortable with relational communication. It is a great way to begin conversations. Ask the patrons what memories they have of lemonade stands growing up. Ask if they operated a stand as a child, or where they’ve had their favorite lemonade. Good friends can be made over glasses of cold lemonade.
A lemonade stand needs good lemonade. But, for it to be memorable, it requires the good lemonade is served with a smile. The delicious mix of cold, citrus, and sweet is a welcome treat for neighbors in the midst of the summer heat. You can choose to use a mix, concentrate, or choose fresh squeezed lemons. But remember, it is not only what’s in the cup that counts. A friendly smile serving Country Time Lemonade is more welcomed than a sour face serving a fresh-squeezed citrus and simple syrup tincture. For lemonade stands and all practices in getting to know your neighbors, people prefer friendly over fancy. The best lemonade stands serve kindness in a cup.
A lemonade stand is an enjoyable summer practice to connect with your neighbors. Plan to spend a Saturday this summer setting up a lemonade stand with you children. Or, consider popping up a friendly “free lemonade” stand if you don’t have kids. A lemonade stand is a simple and playful way to know and love your neighbors.
