This is the first in a series of posts sitting in my draft box. I've had ideas for posts but no time to actually write them so I title them and put them in my draft box to get back to later.
Anyway... the week before Thanksgiving I had a neighbor stop by with a really nice housewarming gift. Neither DH or I had met these neighbors before so I was really touched at the thoughtful gesture. It was a really cool basket with a beautiful flower, a few different types of candles, hand lotion, dish towels, wine, diffuser kits and a kitchen note pad. Of course with the cold weather settling in we haven't even seen these people again to thank them ( I answered the door when she dropped it off and was appropriately gracious).
With the holidays coming up I thought it would be nice if we could do something for them but we know nothing about these people. Other than they're very generous and thoughtful... so I thought I'd ask for suggestions.
In the past I've made baked goods for neighbors (cookies or little cakes) and included gourmet coffees or teas, made up gift baskets for the kids with little games, bought them a movie w/ microwave popcorn and movie sized candy boxes for a night in at the movies, or gave them a couple of bottles of wine they liked. But I knew these people fairly well so I had an idea of what they would like whereas I would just barely recognize these neighbors if I saw them.
So, any ideas?? If you were them what would you like?
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5 comments:
What about gift certificates or gift cards for resturrants?
I know that you don't know them...but would you be open to inviting them over to share the bottle of wine and maybe some sort of treat? Maybe it's just me...but it seems like a gift would be paying them back for their gift basket rather than responding to their possible attempt to get to know you.
I know neighbourhoods vary in how much people get to know each other, so if you're not comfortable with that, just ignore my advice.
SS- that is a good idea, maybe even getting a couple of small gift certificates to local places.
Psych grad- I wouldn't be opposed to inviting them over although I did mention getting together for a doggie play date (she mentioned that she had noticed my dogs when she was pet sitting for friends which she does a lot) and she didn't seem all that interested. Although, it may have nothing to do with getting together with us and more to do with the dogs, I just got a weird vibe from her when I mentioned getting together.
I figured that would be a low key, check it out and see how we get along way to get to know each other.
I always think that baked goods are a nice option for people that you don't know very well... though I would avoid cookies and sweets this time of year because I feel like there is a total overload as opposed to any other month. Perhaps put together a breakfast-y baked good basket -- various flavors of breakfast breads and perhaps some jams and marmalade, and then maybe some teas? It gets away from the overly sweet desserts that are in abundance this time of year, and offers something that can be enjoyed in the morning, whether they rush out in the morning to go to work or work from home and can enjoy leisurely, since you don't know anything about them.
Thanks EB! That is a fantastic idea. I agree that breakfast breads and teas are great, it's something I would really enjoy. I think this is what we'll do. Thanks for the suggestion.
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