Return present for roommate - suggestions needed

[AllyKat]

My landlord gave my roommate and I Christmas presents today. She gave both of us $25 grocery gift cards. Now we're stuck getting her something and we have no idea what to do. Neither of us really like her all that much and just last night she was being a total Female Dog to us (she wouldn't give us the network key so we could fix our internet, but instead drove four hours back today to type it in herself). I sort of think that the cards were an apology for last night, but we still feel like we have to get her something.

For sure neither of us is going to spend $25 on her, so I'm here asking for advice. I need ideas on gifts that are nice, not expensive, and good for a tomboy. We don't really know any of her interests other than hockey (we don't even know which team), which makes it even harder.

[Ondine]

Does she like coffee?

What about a nice mug and some coffee samples from Tim Horton's, or a similar place?

[grinningcomb]

Honestly I know you said you feel like you need to get her something but don't.  You said you don't like her you weren't planning on getting her anything.  Just because someone gives you a gift there are no rule that say you need to return the favor.  Send her a thank you note and be done with it.  That's just my two cents.

[TaylorMade]

I am guessing that she gives gifts annually to all her tenants?  She is doing it out of good business practices then, and not because you are all BFF.

You do not need to reciprocate a gift just because you received one.

I love giving small gifts to friends.  But sometimes I have to think I hope they don't think they now need to get me anything.  I just like to give.

[ZipTheWonder]

I agree that this is business goodwill.  So, maybe few (cookies, brownies, muffins) in a cello bag with a pretty ribbon?

[AllyKat]

I am guessing that she gives gifts annually to all her tenants?  She is doing it out of good business practices then, and not because you are all BFF.

You do not need to reciprocate a gift just because you received one.

I love giving small gifts to friends.  But sometimes I have to think I hope they don't think they now need to get me anything.  I just like to give.

Maybe, but we used to be friends (she still thinks of us as her friends). She's actually more like a roommate, but we pay her rent. That's mainly why we're having this problem now. My roommate and I are really annoyed with her (living with her has made us hate her), but if we don't do anything in return we're worried that she might take offence and then it'll be even worse living here for the rest of the year.

[seren]

What about something cute and cheap like snowman soup?
http://organizedchristmas.com/snowman-soup

Seren

[Rachel]

I agree with the PP. Just because someone gives you a gift does not immediately oblige you to get them something in return. All that is required in this situation is a nice Thank You note.

[Kaylee]

This probably falls under the, "EWW How Tacky!" file but I'm going to toss it out there anyway:

Use the $25 gift card to buy HER a gift - like a box of chocolates, Christmas cookies, or if the store has non-food Christmassy stuff, pick out a $10 thing-a-ma-bob for her.  You're not out any 'real' money, she doesn't need to know where you got the item or how you paid, and the problem is solved.

I did this when a not-so-nice person was trying to buy off a years worth of bad treatment with a gift card.  I knew she would hold out her hand for a reciprocating gift so I used the card to get her something.  No harm, no foul, and oddly enough, I didn't feel a lick of guilt for doing it.

And yes, I know from an etiquette perspective it's Not Cool.

I can't imagine why this would be Not Cool by any reasonable etiquette perspective.  In fact, I think it's a perfect solution.

What difference does it make how you paid for the gift?  It's not like she would know whether you used cash, credit or bartered a goat for it anyway, right?   

It sounds from the OP like this is one of those mixed business/social relationships where she feels like there might be hard feelings if she doesn't return at least a token gift, so assuming she does want to give something, the idea of using the card to get something (supplies for the previously-suggested cookie bags?) is terrific.