How to show our appreciation?

[muttleynfelix]

Since DH had back surgery in February, some friends from church have been mowing our yard every other week (DH mows it the other weeks if he feels up to it or it sits and gets really tall).  The guy who has been doing most of the work is in his late 70s ... possibly pushing 80.  He's a retired engineer and farms.  His wife has been having some trouble getting around, but she is still your typical farm wife - bakes, sews, gardens etc.  They have some evergreen trees that they sell.  DH is feeling good that he can handle the rest of the mowing for the summer (especially now that we really only need to mow every 10 days or so).  So, what can we do to express our thanks and appreciation to them? Any good ideas? They are going to get a thank you note, but what else can we do? I'm more than happy to bake something, but I wonder if that is something that they would really appreciate since she bakes a lot.  DH was thinking a plant of some kind, but then they probably have everything.  They don't drink, so a bottle of wine would probably be wasted on them. Any ideas?

[thyme4change]

An awesome box of chocolates.  Never seen anyone hate that.  

[nogooddeed]

Love chocolate.  Want chocolate.   If the friends paid for the gas when they mowed, how about adding a gift card to a cash station/convenience store?

[muttleynfelix]

Jun 28, 2013 10:29:56 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

An awesome box of chocolates.  Never seen anyone hate that.  

My sister's husband would.   But he isn't the one I have to worry about.  I don't think of chocolates, thanks for the idea.

[muttleynfelix]

Oh I like idea of a gift card to the gas station too.

[sheilaincali]

I'd have them over for a nice home cooked meal to thank them for everything they've done to help out or take them out to a restaurant for dinner.  I just thought home cooked meal because they you don't have to deal with a baby sitter or try to wrangle two little ones at a restaurant. 

*- not saying your kids need wrangling but if they are anything like the Boy restaurants at that age were hit or miss.  Either they were in a great mood and happy to color or whatever patiently or they were in a "I must run and check out everything mood" and they are in and out of the booth every 3 minutes. 

[muttleynfelix]

LOL. No Sheila, my kiddos definitely do need wrangling.  

[sesfw]

Seeing as how your wonderful neighbors are in their 70s, what about taking them out for a very nice dinner at a place of their choosing?  Or a gift card from their favorite restuarant so they can go when they want.

They are wonderful people that know how to be good neighbors ......... and how to 'pay it forward'.

Blessings

[tractor]

Most of the time a simple thank you is enough. The best way to pay them back is to be there when they need help. They probably won't ask for help, but even if you could fix a fence, help with hay, or offer to feed their livestock for a couple of days so they can get away.

Most of these old farm couples are tough as nails on the outside, and soft as warm butter on the inside. Just having them know their help was appreciated will go a long way. Seems simple enough, but you would be surprised how many people out there don't know the words "thank you".

[mmhmm]

I'd do dinner, either at my home or a nice restaurant, or cater it to them at their home.  Older folks often don't eat a lot of chocolate, so I'd hesitate on candy for that reason.  If you know they do eat chocolate and like it, that would be a fine gift.

[skubikky]

Take them out to a nice dinner.  That way you can all enjoy yourselves.

[thyme4change]

Jun 28, 2013 10:59:12 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'd do dinner, either at my home or a nice restaurant, or cater it to them at their home.  Older folks often don't eat a lot of chocolate, so I'd hesitate on candy for that reason.  If you know they do eat chocolate and like it, that would be a fine gift.

I guess I don't know that many people in their 70's.  My in-laws who have little chocolate bars in a bowl in no less than 3 locations of their house, and my parents, who would love to indulge in a special box.  They have never been one to keep chocolate around.  Sorry about my limited sample size.

Can you think of something nice they might like around the house?  A new pot for a plant, or a knick-knack or something?

[mmhmm]

It may be where we live that makes the difference, Thyme.  A lot of folks around here have diabetes, and don't eat chocolate, at all.

[tcu2003]

I vote for dinner. I think older people especially love company, so they'd probably love an invitation to dinner (at your house is great, or out to eat if you want). And ditto what someone else said - being there for them when they need help.

[swamp]

if you don't want to host them for dinner, i'd give them a gift certificate to the grocery store.

[Peace Of Mind]

Mutt, that is so nice of them to do that for you guys and of you for wanting to do something to thank them.  As others have said I  would either take them out to a nice restaurant or buy them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant (and I'd just ask for a restaurant recommendation from them if you don't already know what they like).  Or have them over for dinner especially if they are lonely.  

I'm glad your DH is doing so well!

[muttleynfelix]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.  I'll run them by DH and see what he thinks. See if we can maybe have them over (a little easier with the kids since the little one tends to do best if she is in bed before 7). We have been so blessed by our church friends and family this year.  I'm sure we could have made it without them, but it would have been a lot harder, and frankly it was hard enough as it was.

[bean29]

The idea for the gas card is good.   Older Men seem to like to get together for Breakfast so a gift certificate to a local diner? 

My Dad spent years keeping an eye on a widow who was a neighbor.  Now the Daughter and Son-in-law live in the house and the Mom is gone.  They lived out of state when dad would clean her driveway & walks or fix minor plumbing or electrical issues.  My Dad is in a wheelchair and now that family is looking after Mom's driveway.  Mom has done various things but if she does too much they seem to get insulted.  Last year she settled on a $50.00 gift certificate to a local restaurant and homebaked cookies.  She said they seemed pleased with that.  We think they are very aware Dad looked after their Mom, but my Mom is not sure. 

I would invite them over for dinner and plan to "Pay it forward" somehow in the future.

[giramomma]

Is there something special you could donate to at church, in the name of the folks that have helped you?

Our church bought new hymnals a couple of years ago, and wanted to offset the costs. For X amount, you could have a hymnal dedicated to a person.

[Deleted]

I'd do a gift certificate for a comfortable dinner out for them + a thank you note.

If that isn't really an option in your area, then I'd probably do some canning or purchase a basket of breakfast stuff like a nice pancake mix, real maple syrup, boxes of tea/coffee, organic jams, artisan bread - that sort of stuff.

Can you budget in a used rider mower so it will be easier for DH to do the mowing in the future (or you)?

[Deleted]

an edible arrangement

[sesfw]

'A new pot for a plant, or a knick-knack or something?'

thyme4change ..... although this is a great idea, at my age (71) I would keep something like this long enough for my neighbors to know I appreciate it.  Then it's bye-bye.  That would be one more thing I would have to clean/take care of.

[susanb]

What about a gift certificate from a local nursery?  You said that they farm for money, so they could use it for practical reasons if they are on a fixed income.  Alternatively, you said that the wife gardens, so she could use it on some pretty plants if they want to indulge. 

[muttleynfelix]

Jun 30, 2013 9:12:11 GMT -5 @rockit said:

I'd do a gift certificate for a comfortable dinner out for them + a thank you note.

If that isn't really an option in your area, then I'd probably do some canning or purchase a basket of breakfast stuff like a nice pancake mix, real maple syrup, boxes of tea/coffee, organic jams, artisan bread - that sort of stuff.

Can you budget in a used rider mower so it will be easier for DH to do the mowing in the future (or you)?

We own a riding lawn mower.  It was just too jarring for DH to drive every week since his L4 and L5 were fused together in February.  I don't mind mowing the lawn, but it means spending another 2-3 hrs away from our kids and I've been having to work on the weekends and at nights the last couple months.  Plus that is another 2-3 hours that DH is in the house with the kids. We are even mowing less than we usually do (probably about 1.5 acres instead 3).

[muttleynfelix]

Anyway, she is having her hip replaced in a couple weeks. So, we will take them a meal the following weekend.

[Sam_2.0]

If you are up for it, maybe staying around and helping with some household chores while you are there delivering the meal? Something like straightening up the kitchen and sweeping the floors.