Gift etiquette ?

[Disneyland1084]

I had my 2nd DD in January. My first turned 4 in April. My sweet next door neighbors, an older couple who DH and I chat with occasionally said a couple of months ago they have a gift for us and will stop by soon to give it to us. As I was parking in my driveway earlier, I noticed the man was doing yardwork. When I got out of the car, he handed me a gift bag and said "Sorry we haven't given this to you until now. We hope she still fits it." I smiled and said thanks. When I got inside I opened the bag and all that was in there was a Giant Activity book for my 4 year old. I looked in all the tissue paper and found no baby outfit. I'd like to write them a thank you note, but not sure what to say. I'm wondering if they think they put a baby outfit in there. And I don't want them to think I didn't acknowledge it. But at the same time I'm wondering if this gift was meant as a belated bday gift for my 4 year old DD. I don't want to come out and say "Did you get my baby an outfit?" Please note: I never expect gifts from anyone.It was very sweet of them to think of us. What would you do?

 

[MIGrandma]

If it were me, I think I would write them a generic thank you note to thank them for the gift, and appreciate their thoughtfulness, etc. etc. but not mention the actual gift.

I have received that type of thank-you note in the past, not specifically mentioning the actual gift I gave, but I never think much about it. I just think it's nice they sent thank you's out at all.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I would probably take the gift back over and say something like " your husband said he hopes that this fits. It is a book. I just wanted to make sure that this wasnt meant for someone else, before I let my DD play with it."
If she says that it was for DD I would just say thank you so much and my dd will love playing with it. Either way I would have DD color them a nice picture and send it over with the thankyou note.

 

[luvmy3]

The wife probably mentioned that she didn't think it would still fit and then decided to take it out of the bag without telling her dh. I would just write a generic thank you and not mention anything specific.

 

[Disneyland1084]

If it were me, I think I would write them a generic thank you note to thank them for the gift, and appreciate their thoughtfulness, etc. etc. but not mention the actual gift.

I have received that type of thank-you note in the past, not specifically mentioning the actual gift I gave, but I never think much about it. I just think it's nice they sent thank you's out at all.

The wife probably mentioned that she didn't think it would still fit and then decided to take it out of the bag without telling her dh. I would just write a generic thank you and not mention anything specific.

Your suggestions are great. It reminded me of when I graduated HS in 98. A neighbor gave me a gift and I had NO IDEA what it was. I said in the thank you note "Thanks for the gift. It's so lovely, etc...."

 

[*BTMRR*]

The wife probably mentioned that she didn't think it would still fit and then decided to take it out of the bag without telling her dh. I would just write a generic thank you and not mention anything specific.

This is exactly what I was thinking.

Generic thank you note is the way to go.

It was very nice of them to remember your older DD. I know my older (though still quite young) children SO appreciated getting small gifts when their younger siblings arrived.

 

[C.Ann]

I agree with the others.. Just a generic thank you..

 

[scrapquitler]

I agree with the other posters, and I'm also thinking that if he said "I hope she still fits it" MIGHT actually be some kind of a regional way from somewhere of saying "I hope it is still appropriate/suitable for her" In fact, I think that is probably what he meant: Urbandictionary.com

for 'fits' it says:

1. When clothes are the correct size for the wearer.
2. When an object is appropriate for the situation or surroundings.

So a workbook could certainly 'fit' (be appropriate for) your four year old.

 

[Bluestars]

I would send a thank you note and thank them for the acitivty book. If the neighbor meant to put in an outfit, I'm sure she will realize it later.

 

[disneyhand]

I would write a thank you note emphasizing what a kind and thoughtful gesture their gift was, what nice neighbors they are and not be gift specific at all this time.

 

[theobold]

I just write thanks for it that's it.Not more than that...