Thank you gift for very sweet but very messy, overweight woman?

[Microcell]

I have a messy house too, and I do not usually have a place for flowers! Of course I will blame my kids every time! How about a gift certificate to a mall?

 

[RNMOM]

As an overweight person, non messy, I would like to add something here. People who do you favors deserve your respect and I am glad to see you are trying so hard to find the right gift. I agree the movie/store gift certificates are a great idea.

Maybe the gesture you show her of your appreciation, and maybe even the gesture of friendship, will be an incentive. It might also help to increase her self esteem. We all need help with this now and then.

As far as the judgemental issues. No one likes to be catagorized for their faults. We all have them and maybe being sensitive to that is all some folks are asking.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by RNMOM

As far as the judgemental issues. No one likes to be catagorized for their faults. We all have them and maybe being sensitive to that is all some folks are asking.

I think she is trying to be sensitive IRL which is why she posted the question the way she did.

I think a Gift Certificate would be a great idea.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I think it's the "but" in the title that gives the negative feeling. Saying she's sweet "but" messy and overweight just seems kinda mean.

 

[ilovepcot]

I say, INVITE THE LADY TO LUNCH! Sounds like you'd be making a very good friend!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Ella2
I think it is VERY nice that you want to give her a thank you gift, AND that you are trying to think of something that is useful and appropriate for her.

I have to agree with the gift certificate idea; if you don't want to try and choose one specific store or place you can go to www.giftcertificates.com and get her a "super certificate" that can be redeemed at one of hundreds of stores, restaurants, etc.

I agree...giftcertificates.com is a great way to go. She can choose the store to use it at. A couple years ago my company gave them to all the employees for Christmas. I used mine at Bombay and bought something I really liked! Ever since, I've been sending them to my sister and her son for Christmas. They love them also!

 

[joshsmom]

I'm with 90% of the others here--gift certificates are always the right size and color!! You can use them for things you wouldn't normally buy for yourself and who better to pick out something you would like than. . .. YOU! I love getting gift certificates and I think it's very nice of you to want to get her a gift. I'm sure she'll love it (and really appreciate it)!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Originally posted by Robinrs
I think you should give her something that reflects the inner her, not what you've seen. It really is the thought that counts not where she'd put it.

 

[slo]

Originally posted by Bojangles
Ridiculous? Hmmm...how about dropping your nasty, judgemental attitude about her. That would probably be the nicest thank you gift you could give. I see you think she's too slovenly for flowers and to obese for candy, but she can still do little favors for you? If you have such a dim view of her, stop using her as your errand girl/babysitter.

Wow...Back off - I think she is being sincere.

My suggestion is how about a dinner and a movie gift bag. I do this for my friends. I buy gift certificates to a local video rental store and then buy some microwave popcorn and other goodies you would have at the show. My friends really like this

 

[missypie]

On New Year's Eve we invited several couples over and one brought over three gallons of ice cream and other ingredients for sundaes. It was a very nice thought but it was very embarrassing for me to open my freezer and admit that I did not have space for even one gallon of ice cream, much less three. I'm sure that made my friend feel bad, too, even though she had the best of intentions. That is what I think about whenever I think of bringing flowers...I can see her struggling to find a place to display them in a home that doesn't have an empty surface.

And I thought I'd just stay away from food of any kind...her sons sure don't need sweets, and I think it would be odd to bring something "healthy." (It would be diffierent if soome yummy local fruit was in season.) Our town does, however, have a bread store that bakes very fun breads on site...maybe a cool loaf of something, plus a gift certificate for more.

I also like the book store gift certificate idea.

Thanks everyone. I should have worded my title more tactfully.

 

[AllyBri]

Make it extra special............Manicure and Pedicure

 

[missypie]

Ya know, one year I thought I'd do something extra special and get my mom and my MIL manicure and pedicure gift certificates for Mothers' Day...both of them "returned" them for the cash...

 

[tiggersmom2]

LOL Missypie my mom would too!

 

[shortbun]

as an overwerght and messy housekeeper (really), I
seem to have time for my son and his friends. My son is
not overweight an neither is his dad, both are very fit.
So, OP is not about me, TG.
If u were buying me a gift, I'd want something just for me
because I just spent my whole spring break and much more of my time on my and your child's well being. It"s time for me. Thanks 4 the good thoughts.

 

[JESW]

I would go for the gc to a bookstore. I am not big into cut flowers and I'm trying to stay away from candy so those wouldn't work for me. Others have suggested manicures, pedicures and facials, but truthfully, I wouldn't use those either. My nails aren't great because I work in the yard a lot and I don't want nice nails, I don't like people touching my feet so much so a pedicure would be out. A facial? Maybe, but that would be something I would have to schedule and when could I find the time?

Do you know anything more about her? Maybe a gc to a different place?

Nice thought!

Jill

 

[stemikger]

If she is overweight and her house is that messy, it sounds like she needs some life skills (placing heavy emphasis on organizing and diet). Most people who are in that state 90% are overweight. Basically they need to get their lifes back on track and learn a new set of skills. I would buy her a self-help book and an inspirational book. (Dr. Phil and Dr. Wayne Dwyer is a good place to start).

Feed a man a fish and feed him for the day, teach him how to fish and you will feed her for a lifetime.

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by stemikger
If she is overweight and her house is that messy, it sounds like she needs some life skills (placing heavy emphasis on organizing and diet). Most people who are in that state 90% are overweight. Basically they need to get their lifes back on track and learn a new set of skills. I would buy her a self-help book and an inspirational book. (Dr. Phil and Dr. Wayne Dwyer is a good place to start).

Feed a man a fish and feed him for the day, teach him how to fish and you will feed her for a lifetime.

Now, something like that would be plain rude .

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Since the house is such a mess, how about a Merry Maids gift certificate. Of Course you would have to word the card tactfully, say something like, "in our busy lives, we can always use a little extra help Thank you for doing what you do. " As long as its worded correctly I am sure she would be thrilled to get it.

 

[tidoublegger]

How about something for the outdoors....a bird feeder, hanging plant, welcome slate? I think it's nice you're getting her something!

 

[missypie]

Sorry, but Merry Maids wouldn't be too merry when they opened the door to that house. I don't think y'all are grasping the level of the clutter. It would take every Merry Maid in the state to tackle their house. Seriously. They have known for 6 months that they were going to move at the end of the school year, but they have admitted that they can't put the house up for sale until they have moved out.

I really just think she (and obviously her husband and kids) just doesn't care about how the house looks. She volunteers a lot, has helped her husband in his office, and is always there for the kids. She and her sons are always well groomed and her kids do very well in school. Forgive me guys, but I think that if men were in charge of our houses, many of our houses would look like theirs (I know mine would). I think that this is a woman who can live with a major mess (I can't) and has decided that there are more important things in life. That's why I think flowers or anything for the house would not be appreciated.

Today is Saturday, so by the end of the day I will have bought something ...thanks for all your great ideas!