TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,876
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Mar 28, 2015 18:38:54 GMT
We are in Ft Myers for spring break. It was very last minute, so everything beach front was booked. We decided on a decent hotel off the beach and figured we would just do public parking. Not the best, but that's what you get for last minute.
My step-mil's sister and her husband have a house here on the beach. When they are not here my inlaws use the house. Last fall my hubby and son came with them to stay in their house. They are very kind and generous people without grandsons to spoil, and their own children live out of the country. They love to be social and helpful.
When they heard we were here they told MIL to tell us to please park in their driveway so we did not have to mess with parking hassles or fees. They are here right now for the winter, but only have one car. Their drive is 3 cars wide.
Tomorrow when we go to the beach we would like to take them a little token gift as a thank you. On our last day I will write them a nice thank you note and include a gift card to their favorite water front dinner spot.
So, what would you take for them tomorrow?
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,524
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Mar 28, 2015 18:49:48 GMT
A plant. That's usually my go to gift for "thanks."
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 18:58:46 GMT
Bottle of wine if they like wine. It's my go-to TY gift.  |
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Post by littlemama on Mar 28, 2015 19:02:29 GMT
Something consumable- wine, beer, a small fruit tray.
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Post by bc2ca on Mar 28, 2015 19:02:58 GMT
An esay care plant - Home Depot (and lots of other places) have nice mixed succulent pots that are pretty and so easy to care for. I think the restaurant gift card is a great idea too.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 19:21:04 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't gift anything...I'd let them do something nice for me and is graciously thank them...possibly even send them a thank you card after I got back.
I just think that too often, we go overboard with gifting for even the smallest of gestures. If you were staying there for a few nights, sure, a gift card would be nice.
I guess for me it just negates the kindness I was doing because you felt you had to reciprocate.
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Post by littlemama on Mar 28, 2015 19:22:36 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't gift anything...I'd let them do something nice for me and is graciously thank them...possibly even send them a thank you card after I got back. I just think that too often, we go overboard with gifting for even the smallest of gestures. If you were staying there for a few nights, sure, a gift card would be nice. I guess for me it just negates the kindness I was doing because you felt you had to reciprocate. I agree with this, but I suggested something because OP wants to give a gift. |
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Post by Suziee2 on Mar 28, 2015 19:27:04 GMT
Since Easter is next week, how about potted tulips or Hyacinths? Simple gesture, easy and not extravagant. You could probably pick them up at Walmart, a grocery store or Lowes/Home Depot.
Enjoy your vacation.
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Mar 28, 2015 19:28:24 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't gift anything...I'd let them do something nice for me and is graciously thank them...possibly even send them a thank you card after I got back. I just think that too often, we go overboard with gifting for even the smallest of gestures. If you were staying there for a few nights, sure, a gift card would be nice. I guess for me it just negates the kindness I was doing because you felt you had to reciprocate. I agree with you to a point, but I think a little token and acknowledgement of the kind gesture is always a nice thing. That's why consumables work so well. I don't ever expect anything when I do something for others, but I think it's really nice when that gesture is acknowledged beyond saying "thanks"... even though that's all that is necessary. And really, who doesn't like a little treat now and then? |
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Post by hennybutton on Mar 28, 2015 19:29:16 GMT
I think you should ask them to go to dinner with you. Forget the gift, spend some time with some really nice people instead. It's a win-win.
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Post by MichyM on Mar 28, 2015 19:30:04 GMT
I'd agree with the flowering plant idea. This is a great time of year to gift something like that. Enjoy your vacation!
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828 
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Mar 28, 2015 20:25:22 GMT
Since Easter is next week, how about potted tulips or Hyacinths? Simple gesture, easy and not extravagant. You could probably pick them up at Walmart, a grocery store or Lowes/Home Depot. Enjoy your vacation. I think this is a great idea. Such things do not require long term care. I myself worry about gift cards because I have received many that I have pasted on because I don't go to those places or use that sort of thing. |
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 28, 2015 23:25:58 GMT
I'd skip the gift card and take them out to dinner with my family. You can follow up with a thank you note when you get home.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,876
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Mar 28, 2015 23:32:58 GMT
Thank you. I think we will ask them out to dinner.
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Post by lucyg on Mar 28, 2015 23:40:49 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't gift anything...I'd let them do something nice for me and is graciously thank them...possibly even send them a thank you card after I got back. I just think that too often, we go overboard with gifting for even the smallest of gestures. If you were staying there for a few nights, sure, a gift card would be nice. I guess for me it just negates the kindness I was doing because you felt you had to reciprocate. I wish I could Like this post a thousand times over. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 2:01:07 GMT
A plant or bouquet of fresh flowers. A set of notecards. Something from your hometown if it's famous for something.
To me, this is something really special that they have done--parking around beaches can be nightmare ish and expensive...it warrants an extra bit of appreciation.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
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Post by Rainbow on Mar 29, 2015 2:05:13 GMT
A box of chocolates?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 2:31:55 GMT
Something from the local bakery. Cookies, cake something small but special. Along with a thank you and a hug.
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
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Post by M in Carolina on Mar 29, 2015 2:47:39 GMT
I like the idea of taking them out to dinner.
I think it's nice that you wanted to do something for them to show them how much you appreciate what they did. It's nice to know how much someone appreciates your kindness. My family lived at the beach, and we invited a lot of people to visit. Our favourites were the ones who showed their gratitude--not that we expected or wanted gifts or anything. It's just nice to do something for someone who really appreciates it. A thank you note is a great idea. I can say for my family that we appreciated those who acted like they wanted to see *us* instead of use us as a free beach vacation and treat us like housekeeping staff.
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Post by betty on Mar 29, 2015 5:26:05 GMT
How old is your son/sons/children? I've found that having my kids write a thank you note and maybe a drawing or photo to go with it works well. Sometimes it even ends up on their fridge or a facebook post and eveyone feels good about it. |
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Post by maryland on Mar 29, 2015 11:54:04 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't gift anything...I'd let them do something nice for me and is graciously thank them...possibly even send them a thank you card after I got back. I just think that too often, we go overboard with gifting for even the smallest of gestures. If you were staying there for a few nights, sure, a gift card would be nice. I guess for me it just negates the kindness I was doing because you felt you had to reciprocate. I was going to say gift card but then I read this. I completely agree! It sounds like they are great people and love talking to others, and you stopping by gave them something to enjoy. And you weren't putting them out because they have a big driveway anyways. They probably felt so good helping you. So now I say a nice thank you and a thank you card. |
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Post by hop2 on Mar 29, 2015 12:13:36 GMT
I'm like my father, he would try very hard to take them out to dinner and be social. Both thanking and spending time with them. Failing that opportunity then maybe a gift card for local place.
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Southern Side eyed Pea 
