Holiday

[LuvmyLab]

Our neighbors across the street are really nice but we don't know them very well, Basically, hello, goodbye, how are you kind of neighbors. They have lived there about 2 years and he just got back from a year long tour in the service (he is older). He brought over a gift for Xmas when my husband was working in the garage. We don't know them very well so we didn't get them anything. Hubs thanked them and I will write a thank you note after we open the gift. I obviously can't rush out and get them something now because it will look like it's because they gave us something (which it would be). Why do I feel bad?

[Kitlynn]

Sometimes people give a gift because they enjoy doing it. It doesn't mean they expect anything in return. However you could always put together a nice New Years' Eve basket for them. People are staying home more now due to Covid. How about getting some things like popcorn, hot chocolate, bottle of wine, chocolates and maybe a gift card to Amazon for a movie. Just different ideas for a staying in night with a nice Thank You note to them.

[Kachina624]

Unfortunately these casual acquaintances put you in an awkward position.  I wouldn't feel badly since it was unexpected but next year you might be prepared with a plate of cookies or something similar.

[firestorm]

Accept the gift and forget any type of gift reciprocation. People sometimes do things like this and don't want something in return.

That's their joy. 

It's that time of year. Forget about the pressure to buy, buy, buy. Accept it.

[QVCkitty1]

Please don't make their lovely gesture a problem. As another poster said , some people just love to give gifts and don't expect anything in return. You could give them a small New Year gift and card if it would make you  feel better.

[SXMGirl]

@LuvmyLab  Several years ago, I met a friend for lunch and this friend does not celebrate Christmas.  I took her some homemade pizzelles.  When I gave them to her, she was upset since she did not get me anything.  As I told her, they are just cookies.  So, do not read anything more into their gift, just send a thank you.  Then, either take some cookies over tomorrow or Friday, or the great suggestion of doing a basket for NYE.

[aroc3435]

@LuvmyLab   

I would not do a reciprocal gift this year.  He was probably just feeling an increased sense of joy by having returned home from a year long deployment and just wanted to share that feeling.

At some point in the future, perhaps on a random, non-holiday day you can surprise them with a "thank you for being my neighbor" gift.

You shouldn't feel guilty.  Just accept that a nice fellow human being wanted to extend a hand of neighborly friendship.

Anyway, that is my take on the scenario you described.

Best,

aroc3435

Washington, DC 

[jackthebear]

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@LuvmyLab wrote:

Our neighbors across the street are really nice but we don't know them very well, Basically, hello, goodbye, how are you kind of neighbors. They have lived there about 2 years and he just got back from a year long tour in the service (he is older). He brought over a gift for Xmas when my husband was working in the garage. We don't know them very well so we didn't get them anything. Hubs thanked them and I will write a thank you note after we open the gift. I obviously can't rush out and get them something now because it will look like it's because they gave us something (which it would be). Why do I feel bad?

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to answer yr question, the constant barrage especially here to buy, buy for everyone you see  

I would send a thank you note to the family, to express your apprecation 

[KingstonsMom]

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@firestorm wrote:

Accept the gift and forget any type of gift reciprocation. People sometimes do things like this and don't want something in return.

That's their joy. 

It's that time of year. Forget about the pressure to buy, buy, buy. Accept it.

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@firestorm 

I agree!

My area has a big military presence and when dining out (pre Covid!) I often picked up the bill for a soldier(s) seated nearby, without them knowing.

Their look of appreciation and pride when they saw that their bill had been paid with a big'thank you!' added) was enough for me.

[itsmagic]

I agree with the other posters who said some people just like to give gifts so don’t feel bad and just send the thank you note.  Personally I would not reciprocate because then you end up in a yearly gift exchange with your neighbor (unless you want that).