Gift for Wonderful Friends/neighbors

The meals sound like a nice idea. I am a pastor's wife and always seem to be running here and there. I have had some dear friends bring dinner on different occasions and it meant SO much to me!

Consider some casseroles like lasagna, or enchiladas, that you can freeze... then give it to her and tell her she can use it when she has a stressful day with no time to cook. Also good frozen... muffins, cookies, cake, etc.

The babysitting idea is nice too- tell her to plan a night out for her and her hubby and let you know so you can watch the kids. Then remind her about once a month until she takes you up on it!

She's blessed to have a friend like you.

I would say make them a dinner, maybe even for them to eat on a Saturday - like a lasagna with a salad & bread or something similar or even a breakfast like a sheet of homemade cinnamon rolls/ muffins/breakfast casserole. Everybody needs to eat ! I'm sure she just graps something on the go because she doesn't have time or energy to make something. Or invite them over for Easter dinner. How about giving them a gift certificate for the movies and a nice restaurant and they can go out? If you have any photos of the family you could make up a photo album to give them. If they have a pool, you could give them some pool toys that the whole family would enjoy.

I gave my dear friends a leather bound journal. He could use it as a prayer journal, or something to keep their testamonies in. In the front I wrote a long note telling them just how special they are to my family, and how much we love them. Christian Bookstores have great ideas too.

It sounds like they could have some use for Dream Dinners or one of those?? Just a thought. You are SOOOO lucky to have awesome neighbors that you love. Enjoy!

Just a thought: homecooked meals for her and her family; she won't always have to grap something on her way home. If you know what their favorate foods are, prepare it for them, and let her know you have fixed it before she gets fast food. It's something friends don't ask for but are greatful to receive.

Pat

With schedules as they are with both of your families right now, I'd drop baked goods at their door with a kind note of appreciation, or drop off a wonderful salad and rolls just before dinner time. I know if my life were filled with so much, it would be very difficult to have dinner prepared every night. Just a thought, good luck. PS-You can make the giftcard idea personal by presenting it with a babysitting coupon for the night if the card is for something they can do as a couple.

Hi N.,

You could design a scrapbook page with a quote about family or friends and then mod podge it onto a tile, then place it on a rod iron easel frame holder. I just made one this weekend for my family that had our last name and then said "The love of a family makes life beautiful." It turned out really awesome and was very inexpensive. If you have a photo of them, you can also add that onto the page along with the quote. I can send you an email with the one I made so you can get an idea of what it looks like. I did it through Heritage Makers, which I am a consultant for. My email address is ____@____.com and you can also check out my website at www.designastorybook.com if you are interested in designing your own storybooks, cards, calendars, etc. Your neighbors sound like great people. I am sure they will appreciate anything you decide to do for them.

What about giving them a night at a local bed and breakfast? You could keep their kids overnight for a fun campout in the living room with movies and popcorn and send them on a romantic evening away. My husband and I always treasure those times together and I'm sure they would too!

I think a gift card to a nice restaurant and then make a really cute babysitting coupon for the same evening. Or make them a really nice gift basket full of homemade treats. Like different kinds of homemade breads and some homemade butter and jam to go with. Good luck.

What about a weekend stay at one of the local hotel/spa/resorts. That way, they can spend time together but not be too far from the kids. Right now, with our economy, many of the hotels are offering fantastic packages.

Good luck.

L.

Just a thought...

Some people help others out w/ no thought of compesation. They just do it because that's who they are.

Do you want to give them something that obligates them to something? Maybe they don't want to spend a weekend at a hotel, or even go out on a date. They might not want to spend anymore time away from their kids than they already do. But if you give them a nite out, they'll feel obligated to take it, whether they want to or not. I know people like this.

I'm just saying don't assume that they want what you want. I think I would spend more time learning what they value, then take it from there. Barring that, I'd go with the homemade meal, or maybe movie tickets.