Too thankful? What to do? (Poll)

Okay, I somehow submitted the thread without the other options.  I was thinking:

1.  Accept the meals and move along

2.  Don't help anymore

3.  Try to explain the issue

4.  Joke about it, but don't push it.

etc..

I am a big fan of communication. Sit them down and talk to them about it. Ask them if they feel like they have to do this to say thanks or if they do it because they WANT to do it. If they can afford it and are just really generous people who like to say thanks in a more extravagant way than most people are used to I would accept it. You could also approach this from a personal point of view. Note that right now going out to eat so much is making you gain more weight than you want to or that you would appriciate it more if instead of feeding you they donated money to a charity etc. If they know that you prefer a little variation in how they are saying thank you it could keep things from getting old etc.

I think they sound great. So often you hear the exact opposite problem. You acknowledged that you help them %75 of the time and they are just saying thanks for being such great friends. Also sounds like you have the truck, and they are very thankful that you're willing to do dump/Goodwill runs. I'd say don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

And I think I do understand your heart on this, that you'd be more than happy to help with out the "paybacks", and that's great. But it obviously make them feel good to treat you. So if you've told them they don't have to do this, but they continue, I'd say count your blessings for having generous and appreciative friends.

Be careful, they might drop a tree on your house, then stab you in the liver when you come out to investigate

This sounds like the beginning of a Garrison Keilor story.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.  I think I am worrying, hopefully unecessarily, that they feel as though they must return the favors in this way.  They don't have a bunch of money and a $20 breakfast seems like a lot for a quick trip to Goodwill, but I guess that's their prerogative.  Reading over this I also wonder if possibly they feel guilty that we help so much and they don't have as much to offer in kind, and thus try to make up for it in an over the top way.  I just wish they'd drop off something from the bakery instead, or even a 6-pack...   I think that would be totally reasonable.  At least I benefit from having an overly helpful husband!

Maybe they get the same joy in giving you stuff that you get from helping them out???

Agree with that.  If you've let them know that you don't expect them to do it, then it seems to me they're doing it because it makes them feel better.  There's no reason for you to make a big deal about it, just be as grateful to them for the meals as they are to you for the help.

Maybe it's a perspective issue. Perhaps they just enjoy the company, and don't want to burden you both with an invite that would require you spending money. Mind you, the gift certificates don't fit into this perspective, but just sounds like they are genuinely nice people, and I wouldn't worry about it.