Appropriate thank you to neighbor?

[starlight]

I've posted before about the vicious ice storm that hit our region last week.  The temperatures have been hovering in the teens and 20s, with ice everywhere.  I'm still one of 96,000 without power six days after the storm.  Most people fled to hotels or have been staying in shelters because it's too cold to stay in an unheated house.  (Mine got to 45 degrees - brrrrrrrr)

My neighbors across the street are on a different power grid, and never lost their power.  They allowed me to string an extension cord from their house to mine so I could run my fridge, freezer and a small heater.   That heater is the only thing that let me stay in my house.  I have 4 furbabies and a shelter wouldn't take all of us.  I couldn't leave them, so I am very VERY grateful to my neighbor for letting me do this.  She's also checked on me every morning to make sure I haven't succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning (almost 20 people have died from it so far), invites me to dinner with her family at night so I can have a hot meal, and brought me a hot thermos of tea the first day.  Her kids also come over every day after school and let my dogs out to play for a few minutes.  I pay the kids for this because I really value their help, and I know she can't afford to give them an allowance.

I know this family skates a very thin line financially.  I feel bad for possibly jacking up their electric bill this month.  The storm struck on Thursday night, and I plugged into them on Friday afternoon.  Saturday I gave them a gift card to a local grocery store for $50 as a thank you.  Is that enough?  Should I do something more?  I'll give them some baked goodies for Christmas, but I have an electric stove and can't cook right now.  I'm not rolling in money, but I'm not trying to raise 3 kids on a single salary either. 

Thanks for your thoughts!! 

[CrayonOutlines]

I think the grocery store gift card is a great idea.  And if you're not sure if it's enough, maybe you could offer free babysitting a time or two?

[Lexophile]

What an awesome neighbor!!! I have been helped by people like this before and I have found that the one thing they commonly want in return for their kindness is that you pay it forward when you see someone else in need. Love is the gift that keeps on giving, but only if you keep it going. Maybe you can make a donation in their name to an appropriate charity.

[starlight]

I have been helped by people like this before and I have found that the one thing they commonly want in return for their kindness is that you pay it forward when you see someone else in need.

We all take care of each other in this neighborhood.  I love where I live.  Another neighbor and I were out shovelling the walk and drive of my elderly neighbors before we did our own.  We were worried if something happened and an ambulance was needed they couldn't get to them.  The husband is in very poor health.  Thank goodness they left to stay with their daughter the next day.

My grandma's (she's 85) neighbors do the same thing for her - shovelling, bringing her food, checking on her.  It's just the right thing to do.

[stanthedevil]

I have been helped by people like this before and I have found that the one thing they commonly want in return for their kindness is that you pay it forward when you see someone else in need.

We all take care of each other in this neighborhood.  I love where I live.  Another neighbor and I were out shovelling the walk and drive of my elderly neighbors before we did our own.  We were worried if something happened and an ambulance was needed they couldn't get to them.  The husband is in very poor health.  Thank goodness they left to stay with their daughter the next day.

My grandma's (she's 85) neighbors do the same thing for her - shovelling, bringing her food, checking on her.  It's just the right thing to do.

In ye olden days, extended families all lived in the same area.  It would be rare for people to have immediate family spread all over a continent, not to mention the world.  It seems to me that many neighborhoods are taking place of that.  Instead of having your children looking out for you in your old age, the neighbors run in.  In return, the elderly watch out for the children of the neighborhood.  At least that's how it is in my parents' subdivision.  It's a beautiful system and everyone feels so close because of it.  They say that it takes a village...

[Slartibartfast]

The gift certificate to the grocery store is a great idea, assuming it's for a store they usually use (Sometimes the "discount cards" at some stores make it so if they don't have your marketing information, all the prices are horribly inflated without the card.)  I don't know about your area, but my local utility company sells "gift certificates" you can give someone to use toward their utility bill - if you want to spend $50 as a thank-you, that would be a place to look!

[MadMadge43]

Starlight,

I think what you did was perfect. But if your utility bills go over $50 (I don't think they would with only plugging in a few things), then I would also get them the gift card at the utility station. But I think the homemade cookies will be more than appreciated. 

I actually have to go pick up a thank you gift for a business in my work complex. I bought a shirt the other day and kept it in my car because I knew I'd be changing into at work to go to a Holiday Party tonight. It was completely wrinkled when I took it out today! So I ran down the complex to a clothing manufacturer who steamed it for me. What a lifesaver! And these people barely know me, no more than a nod and good morning. Normally wouldn't have done it if I was not desperate. 

Does anyone know if there's a traditional thank you gift for in Chinese culture?

[graceh9]

elegant wrapping is a always hit in far eastern cultures

how about a fancy box of candy that can be shared (better wrapped than
gooey chocolate in a clothing store of course)

[Balletmom]

What kindness from your neighbor! I think the grocery gift card is a great idea.

And for the dry cleaners, I think chocolates are nice, too. A pretty fruit basket might also be appreciated.

[JoyinVirginia]

Starlight, I certainly do feel for you! We had an ice storm several years ago that knocked out our power for 5 or 6 days I recall, and our neighbors with generators and gas logs were very helpful! We left home and stayed with my mother in law for a few days. Your neighborhood sounds like mine - after the hurricane remnants come thru there are always neighbors with chain saws cutting the trees that fall.

To answer your question - the gift card was very thoughtful, and baked goodies will be appreciated I am sure. Could you just ask the neighbor to let you know how much higher her electric bill is, and give her another gift card as thanks? Or maybe offer to watch the kids so she can get out and shop, or ask if there is anything special you could get the kids as a gift? Sounds like giving the kids a regular "job" of doing errands for you, walking your dogs, etc and paying them would probably be as much appreciated by their mom as the kids themselves.
Joy in Virginia

[sparksals]

I'm with the others that you should offer to pay the difference in their electric bill.  Since you have no electricity, yours will be lower than normal.  I think the gift card is a great idea, but since the family is on such a limited income and they have been so helpful, the right thing to do is to pay for the electricity you used.  Paying for that should be extraneous to the gift card, where it is the actual thank you gift, not paying for the electricity as that should go without saying.

[Clara Bow]

I think that the gift card was fine, and I'd also offer to pay the difference on the utility bill. I think I'd also throw in cutting their grass a couple times this summer, a very nice way to repay a kindness. I know I'd appreciate it since I'd rather be drawn and quartered than do yardwork (thank God for state employee housing and inmate yard crews...)
Your neighbors are awesome people, and definitely the way neighbors should be!

[lastonetoknow]

That was so nice of your neighbors.

Your neighborhood sounds like mine.  Anytime one of us needs somebody, help is there.  No questions asked. 

I'd definately ask how much more than normal their bill was this month and pay the extra, plus make the cookies.