We just got back from a wonderful week long vacation out of state. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find great gifts for two neighbors who helped us out and I could use some ideas...
One drove us to the airport and picked us up. It's about 45 mins each way. She saved us a TON of money not having to hire a car or pay for long term parking. I plan to return the favor for her, but still wanted to give her something.
The second grabbed our mail and fed our pets while we were gone. She only lives 2 doors down, but it was still very nice of her to do this and watch our house for us. I usually help her frequently during the summer letting her dogs out too. So we scratch each other's backs.
Any ideas on gifts and/or how much to spend?
Thanks all. Yes, I agree, nice people do things to be nice, not for the reward. And I felt iffy about giving a monetary gift - like AmEx or to a restaurant. So for the first one, I invited her and her kids over to play and a nice lunch. I'm making real food for us moms and will have hot dogs and such for the kids, plus a craft for them all to do outside. And for the second friend I got her something from Fannie May with a fun thank you note saying, "Thanks for not killing our fish!" (since she told me the last neighbor who asked her to feed the fish, one died and they were horrified).
Thanks all for the input!
I like the idea of a gas card for the neighbor that drove you to & from. How much did it save you? $150? Plue the convenience! How about a $50 gift card?
And for the pet feeding mail getter, what about a nice dinner out card? Fifty would be good for that too.
How about a promise to return the favor after thanking them by baking them something special?
I'd get the first one a $50 gift card for a restaurant so they can have a nice meal on you..
The other neighbor I'd buy a nicer candle or even a gift basket of like cookies or something edible.. just a thought.
I don't know if you're familiar with Thirty-one Gifts, but their items can all be personalized and I love giving them to people because they're fun, functional, and reasonably priced.
Check it out their website: www.mythirtyone.com/JennMarkiewicz
Maybe a gift card to a local gas station for the friend who drove you to and from along with an IOU for the next time they are taking a trip and need a ride to the airport.
For the friend who fed, watered and picke up mail - a nice, decadent sweet (even a shipment of Harry & David fruits!!) would be a fun, unexpected suprise.
I always like gift cards in these situations - people can use them on what they want. If you do an American Express gift card with a thank you note I think that would be a great gift. They can use it for dinner or shopping or whatever they like.
Gift cards like American Express or Visa that they can use anywhere. So they can choose to spend it on a pedicure, or put towards dinner out - or buy a new beach chair. ;o)
Nice people don't do those things for the rewards, they do it b/c they like helping and they like their neighbors.
How about a bottle of wine ($12-20), maybe make a basket with it if you want to make the gift bigger.
Another simple thank you is a $5-20 Starbucks gift card with a sincere thank you note.
