Need Advice!

[Daxx]

Background -- in Oct., we had a huge storm in our area. Schools closed for a week, trees down, no power, etc. We purchased a generator and were able to stay warm (somewhat) and dry. While the storm was going on, basements were flooding. B/c we had the generator, we were fine. One of our neighbors (Ross) came over one morning b/c he was watching another neighbor's house (Sue) b/c she was out of town. He told us that Sue's basement started flooding and could he borrow our generator to get her sump pump going. We said sure, took the generator to Ross's house and he hooked it up to Sue's house. When Sue got back from vacation, she sent us a lovely thank-you card for helping her out and being a good neighbor.

Cut to y'day ... we get our mail and inside is a Christmas card w/ a handwritten note stating "It's so nice to have such great neighbors! Thanks!~Ross" Inside the card was a gift cert. for a local restaurant for $50. We were so stunned. We literally sat there saying "No way!". We don't know what to do or how to handle this b/c helping out during a storm is just what neighbors do. We didn't go out of our way or do anything extreme ... and certainly didn't do anything to deserve a $50 gift cert. Helping out a neighbor is just what I would hope another neighbor would do for me if I needed. You know, Karma.

Ross is a single guy w/no family, works a good job and (from what I can tell) can afford to do something like this. But, the thing is ... $50!!!!!

So, do we just send a nice thank you note to Ross? Do I have to reciprocate? How do we handle this situation!? We've never had a neighbor do this before!!! We're very stunned by it!!!!

Any info., advice, etc. would be appreciated!

 

[golfgal]

I would send a nice thank you and leave it at that. Usually what happens with these things if you send a gift, then they feel obligated to give you another gift next year, you give them one, and so on. It sounds like he was just appreciative of the gesture and a simple thank you is fine.

 

[TurboKitty]

I would write Ross a nice thank you note...and tape it to the Saran wrap covering a plate of homemade cookies!

 

[agnes!]

I would write Ross a nice thank you note...and tape it to the Saran wrap covering a plate of homemade cookies!

What she said. You did a lovely thing for a neighbor, he did a lovely thing right back atcha...
If I didn't like (almost all of) my neighbors so much, I might think about moving to your neighborhood .

agnes!

 

[HERSEY]

It sounds like you have a lovely neighborhood. Neighbors helping neighbors is a beautiful thing.

 

[honeymom]

Write a really nice, handwritten note. I am sure that he did it because he perceived the generosity in your act of lending the generator.

You are both really good neighbors to each other. While I have some lovely neighbors in my neighborhood, I also have a bunch of neighbors who take each other to court for the silliest things.

 

[TheGoofster]

Sometimes, one of the hardest things to do is to receive. Personally I find it a lot easier to give then to receive, but there are times that I need to receive a nice gift, or act with a grateful spirit.
Just think about how much you like to give or help someone else. How would you feel if that person didn't want to receive your help or your gift? Now put yourself in that other person's shoes. Don't rob him from his joy of giving to you.
I would say take the certificate (if he really couldn't afford it that might be a different story, but apparently he can), enjoy yourself at the restaurant, and perhaps bring your neighbor back a special dessert or appetizer. That way he knows that you used the gift certificate, enjoyed yourself, and he gets something special out of it too.

 

[disykat]

I would also just say thank you. In general, I'm not big on holiday gifts. However, this person not only wanted to give you a holiday gift, they also wanted to thank you.
Not necessary, but I think it was a very nice way to do it.

We have a neighbor who parks in our parking area (we have a large gravel area adjacent to our driveway). He offered us "rent" money, which we turned down. We would never take it because he is our neighbor, we have the space, and we offered. However, they gave us a $50 gift card to Olive Garden at Christmas last year as a thank you. We had a great meal with the unexpected gift. In our thank you note we reiterated that we were happy to have him parking there and no thanks were necessary, but we sure enjoyed the meal!

If you put yourself in their shoes, you can see why they would want to reciprocate your generous gift to them.

 

[Lizzy2]

I would send a nice thank you and leave it at that. Usually what happens with these things if you send a gift, then they feel obligated to give you another gift next year, you give them one, and so on. It sounds like he was just appreciative of the gesture and a simple thank you is fine.

I agree. Enjoy your surprise!!! You deserve it!