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Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor
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 2010-06-01 8:55 AM |
 Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member |  Subject: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighborMy next door neighbor works at a heating/cooling place, so when my air conditioner wasn't blowing cold air I caught him in the yard yesterday and asked how expensive that usually is to fix. In the back of my mind I was hoping he would take a look at it on the side, and he did! He immediately went to his work truck, pulled out tools and diagnostic equipment and FIXED MY A/C! Turns out something had jammed the motor so he cleaned it out, oiled it up and re-filled the freon. All while guests to his BBQ were arriving... what a nice guy! He also said if the motor was on the fritz it would peter out in a few days, but he would give me the exact part/model so I could buy it and he would install it for me ($50 as opposed to the $300 his company would charge). So.... obviously I want to get him a little 'thank you' something. My first thought was a Starbucks gift card. I have no idea if he likes coffee or not (but can't you always just grab a cookie or something even if you don't like coffee?). My Dad suggested homemade cookies. Which I can do, but I have no idea if he has allergies (like me!) or what not. Plus some people are leery about homemade goods from strangers. My final thought was a case of beer. That is one of the only things I know about him is that he likes to drink beer on his back porch, cause I see him doing it all the time. But that seems a little insincere to me, plus I'd have to stalk him to see what kind of beer he drinks - I never paid attention previously. Other things I know about him and his wife (not much, they are fairly 'new' neighbors): They have a dog and they foster german shephards. They do lots of yard work and have some vegetables growing on their back deck. They like to drink beer. They are in their early 30s with no kiddos. I'm thinking in the $20-$40 range. Votes or other ideas? |
 2010-06-01 8:59 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
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| 2010-06-01 8:59 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
Pro 4827    McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor Freon recharges are getting expensive (in the $300 neighborhood). I would go with the case of beer. |
| 2010-06-01 9:00 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Expert 692 Boca Raton, FL | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I think a gift certificate to a local resturant is great but seeing that they are very active in gardening and home maintenace I would think a gift certificate to home depot would be awesome. My dad loves getting those from us! |
| 2010-06-01 9:02 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
Master 1920 Ann Arbor, MI | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor My neighbor helped me with a flat tire, so I got him a Lowe's gift card. They are always doing stuff to their house, so I figured they could use it. |
| 2010-06-01 9:10 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Pro 4277 Parker, CO | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor if he's a beer drinker get hime a case of good beer. 2nd would be a gift certificate to a maybe the local microbrewery. I'm not big on the Starbucks gift cards. I seem to get them nowe and then becaues i am a coffee drinker but always hand them to my wife. I just have a hard time with 3-5 dollar price tag for coffee drinks. btw...he sounds like a really nice neighbor! Edited by rayd 2010-06-01 9:11 AM |
| 2010-06-01 9:33 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Expert 1149 CenTex | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I'd go with beer before a gift card. The problem with gift cards is that the recipient has to "work" to use it. Sure, they get what they want but it requires more effort. He went out of his way to fix the a/c; do a little "research" and get him a good case of beer. He'll appreciate it. Sounds like a good neighbor! |
| 2010-06-01 9:35 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Master 2538 Albuquerque | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor Home Depot/Lowes gift card for sure. Always handy and appreciated. |
| 2010-06-01 9:35 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor IMO: No home center cards! It implies that this is what you view him as: A repair guy and not a friend /neighbor. Beer is more friendly and breaks that transactional bond of fix = home repair gift card = more fixing. Your local liquor store / beer retailer might have suggestions. Sam Adams gift pack of mixed types? A selection of German / Belgian beers? Something other than what they buy themselves; an indulgence. My $0.02 but he's done you a big favor! Nice to hear. Edited by pitt83 2010-06-01 9:40 AM |
| 2010-06-01 9:37 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Master 1736 Midcoast Maine | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor xwhatever on the beer. A little spying (or even ask the wife so she knows how appreciative you are) and get him a case of what he likes - it shows that you have been paying attention, and that you made the effort. What a great neighbor! |
| 2010-06-01 9:37 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Elite 3395 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor How about one of those raised doggie dishes, so the dogs can eat their food without bending down? Or a gift card to a pet center. Edited by DougRob 2010-06-01 9:38 AM |
| 2010-06-01 9:38 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| over a barrier | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I'd go with a case of beer and a gift card to a resturant for him and wife. You now he likes beer and everyone likes free food. |
| 2010-06-01 9:44 AM in reply to: #2893707 |
| Champion 10019 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor This one! My husband does stuff like that for neighbors and they often give him things that I end up using (Target gift cards) because it's too much trouble for him to remember. The beer will go a long way. I would do a little spying to find out the type he likes OR get a gift certificate to the nearby liquor store. But I also like the idea of the restaurant gift card, in addition. The beer won't cost much and this would be a nice treat for them. I assure you the wife of the man who runs off to help neighbors, even while having a party, needs a little something. running2far - 2010-06-01 9:38 AM I'd go with a case of beer and a gift card to a resturant for him and wife. You now he likes beer and everyone likes free food. |
| 2010-06-01 11:05 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Champion 7821 Brooklyn, NY | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I’d say no to the gift card also. If you want this to be about thanking a neighbor for his kindness & generosity, it’s too impersonal, I think, and is almost like handing him cash. I’d actually vote for the cookies. Yes, I suppose the allergies are a concern, but I think the gesture is much more personal and is much closer to returning the favor in kind. I don’t think you should be overly concerned about the value of the service that he provided. In other words, don’t worry about whether your gift comes close to matching the value of the service he provided. This is about a neighbor thanking a neighbor for doing something nice, not about evening the ledger. The beer is a nice option, too, but beer can be a tough call if you don’t know what they like. Just about everyone likes chocolate chip cookies, OTOH. |
| 2010-06-01 11:09 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Expert 684 Bend, OR | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I think beer is the right choice. And it doesn't really matter what kind, most people who drink beer while drink any kind of beer (I know I do). I'd get him a case of your local micro-brew. |
| 2010-06-01 11:24 AM in reply to: #2893699 |
| Champion 4835 Eat Cheese or Die | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor Beer. If you are unsure, get a sampler of decent beer. And he saved you a butt load of money so I don't think it's unreasonable to spend closer to the $40. I also agree it won't look bad to just ask his wife what he likes. Walk over when he's not home and just say you wanted to get him something for helping you out with the AC, what kind of beer does he like? If she gives you a cheap option, get a couple cases. Or, since they are new to the neighborhood, invite him and his wife over and cook for them as a thank you. I know when we moved into a new neighborhood, the best gesture we got was to be invited over and welcomed to the neighborhood. As far as allergies, if you make the invite, just ask. We've started doing that when we invite people we don't know well. If anything it just makes you look like a conscientious host. I don't ask about allergies, I just ask if they have any dietary restrictions like being vegetarian, or having any allergies. |
| 2010-06-01 1:51 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Master 1584 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor Either a 12 pack "variety" beer pack (Sam, Pete's, etc.) or some homemade cookies / brownies. Even if he's got allergies, he can share with the wife or take them into work... |
| 2010-06-01 2:05 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Elite 3091 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I'd mow his yard. Some guys are kind of anal about how they want it mowed, so pay attention to what he does. I'm assuming it can be done with a push mower--you'd probably have to pick some other chore if it's got to be done with a riding mower. He provided a service, so that's how I'd pay him back. Don't take no for an answer. I'd so appreciate someone doing that for me--I've got a big yard. |
| 2010-06-01 2:22 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Extreme Veteran 961 | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor Lisa, I believe you may be familiar with this particular brewery. In addition to the 4 permanent ones, they usually have a couple of special editions too. Get him one of each. Also might want to warn him they have a higher alcohol content than most beers. |
| 2010-06-01 5:06 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Pro 6767 the Alabama part of Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor My old college roommate helped out a neighbor of his years ago, and she gave him a $100 gift card to Ruths Chris Steakhouse. It was very appreciated. Unlike the Home Depot center idea, it shows you see him as more than the go-to handyman; and while beer might work, not everyone likes all beer. I didn't start drinking it until I was in my 30's, and my tastes are pretty limited. My brother in law gave me a 60 minute IPA which I found a little bitter for my taste. I prefer a good bourbon or irish whiskey, personally. |
| 2010-06-01 5:11 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Veteran 369 Fairbanks | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I think the Home Depot gift card is the way-to-go. If they're recent move-ins they probably have a ton of projects they're looking to do. And even if they're not fixer-uppers, everyone needs something from a home improvement store. You can even just get cleaning supplies or paper towels. |
| 2010-06-01 6:28 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Champion 7704 Williamston, Michigan | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor they have beer of the month clubs and you could get them a 3 month membership in your budget. They would get to try some new things and it would be a several month gift. I'd go with that or a restaurant gift card. I am not a starbucks person and I don't drink coffee so I don't get the whole starbucks thing. My neighbor who was stumbling in drunk at 4am as I was leaving for a triathlon and found a flat tire on my truck and helped me change the offending tire. I gave him a gift card to Chillis and he thought it was the best thing ever. |
| 2010-06-01 7:15 PM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Extreme Veteran 1996 Halifax, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor I think making the cookies or something similar is WAY more personal and appreciated as a gift, but apparently that's just me! A gift is a little is a little too easy and impersonal IMHO. A sign of the times, I guess.  |
| 2010-06-01 11:26 PM in reply to: #2895391 |
| Elite 3091 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor blairrob - 2010-06-01 7:15 PM I think making the cookies or something similar is WAY more personal and appreciated as a gift, but apparently that's just me! A gift is a little is a little too easy and impersonal IMHO. A sign of the times, I guess. Yep, I think you're right. I was raised out in the sticks on a farm surrounded by other farmers. I guess that's why I said mow his lawn for him. We just helped each other out when needed.
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| 2010-06-02 4:58 AM in reply to: #2893545 |
| Champion 5868 Urbandale, IA | Subject: RE: Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor let me start by saying that what i think you are doing is awesome. when steph and i bought our new house, wqe were very concentrated on the neighborhood because we didn't love the one we were moving from. We had three p;ossible houses and we actually 'stalked' the neighborhoods every chance we got - driving through and watching what folks did after work and on weekends. We made our offer based on the neighborhood. so, it should come as no surprise that i would say to do something that makes 'newer' neighboirs feel more like neighbors. invite them over for a cookout - with beer - and get to know them. Mention that you were appreciative of the help, but don't dwell (while some guys - like me - like to be considered the neighborhood handyman, I don't do it for a living, so it's a little different}. btw, i love the idea of buying a great big bunch of dog food. German shephards eat a ton!!!! |
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