Community Chat

[Bonkers1]

Baking is good but he might have food restrictions.  I think a gift card from the supermarket would be great.  I know that I would appreciate one.

[FranandZoe]

I think a grocery store or gas gift card - even just a Visa gift card that can be used anywhere.  Brownies are great too.  But true about maybe having food restrictions.

My neighbor up the street has a plow on an ATV - he plows all the driveways and sidewalks here.  Hubby and I always gave him a gift card every year as he refused money.  After about 3 years of us giving him gift cards he returned them all - never used them.  He really did not want anything for what he did.  He still does this.  So you never know about people.  But I would still give your neighbor something.

[haddon9]

---

@Ainhisg wrote:

How about a gift card to a home improvement store like Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc?

---

He sounds like the handy type and would probably appreciate this.  It's hard to say about the homemade brownies.  Not everyone can eat sweets or even likes chocolate. (I know hard to believe!)

[lgfan]

I would give him a gift card for gas.  

[Sooner]

How wonderful!  But in this day and age I wouldn't do food for anyone, especially something you make.  You never know what another's wants and even needs or allergies etc. are now.

I would consider giving him a gift card for the grocery store where he can buy his favorite drinks or water after he gets for after your yard done, or if you know his drink preference

Or you could have Walmart deliver a case or two to your house or his.   I give the UPS driver a canned water drink every day in the summer and it is much appreciated! I think free delivery starts at a $35 order (get a treat for yourself too!) and is a great thing.  Order online, and it comes right to your door--easy easy! 

[AuntG]

I assume you have offered him money and he always refuses. Does he maintain his own garden? Maybe a geranium or some other potted plant would be appreciated.

[occasionalrain]

Doing a service for another and the resulting good feeling is diminished when paid. He has declined payment so respect his wishes and don't insult him with a gift card aka money with strings attached.

If he has a garden buy him a plant, if he has a pet get his pet a toy.

[Melzie]

I have a similar situation with a neighbor who always shovels me out in winter.  She loves dogs so I try to find a useful dog related item or a gift card for her from Petco, or a local store, or take out restaurant.   She always refuses gifts but if I do it only once in a while she seems to be OK with it.

[stevieb]

@Patriot3  In this instance I agree with those suggesting a monetary gift of any kind (gift card, certificate, gift he might or might not appreciate) has the potential to be insulting. It sounds as though his act of kindness is just that and yet I understand it would be nice to repay the kindness in some way. If you're close enough neighbors to know of something he would like or enjoy then by all means go for it. Something home made would be nice, assuming you know he'd like it. Otherwise, something simple for his garden was suggested and I agree, something more personal and that doesn't feel like a 'payment' has been made would be my choice.

[Shop Too Much]

I have done this type of thing for my elderly neighbor many times.  I do it because she's a lovely lady and a good neighbor.  She has offered many times to pay me, take me to lunch, buy me something, etc.  However, I do this because I want to help her and do not want or expect anuything in return.  Just a warm thank-you is sufficient.  I imagine your neighbor feels the same way.  Simply thank him and tell him how lucky you are to have such a wonderful neighbor.