I am married and have 2 children and another on the way- mid 30s. My close friend from growing up is single and unattached. She has been very generous for all of the occasions in my life- engagement, wedding, birth of children, children's birthdays, christmas, chanukah & valentine gifts for my kids- the list goes on and on. She ain't exactly rich- she's just very thoughtful, very giving and a great friend. So the problem is, we never get to reciprocate. For a long time we just figured that she would settle down and we'd get our chance to celebrate her milestones- but as it seems less and less likely we need a new plan. What can we do that express our gratitude for her friendship and generosity, without shining a light on the fact that she doesn't have some of the things in her life to celebrate that she wants? My wife and I are at a total loss- any ideas?
2006-08-23 02:10:34 · 8 answers · asked by stains 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Take her out on a surprise dinner and tell her what you just told me.
2006-08-23 02:13:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, some great ideas from everyone. Include some nice flowers, her favorite kind,or a gift certificate to her favorite store. Does she have a hobby? Support that with a gift cetificate.
Do some "just because things", bake her favorite cake or cookies, and present it to her. Do that every few months.
I like the answer to celebrate her milestones, her birthday, Xmas, a new home, raise or promotion, new job.
Find a card, Hallmark has lots that say," What a great friend you are", said in just about any way you can think of.
Seasonal gifts are great, a Hallowen decoration, an Easter wreath for the door,or an Easter basket, a cornucopia with real fruits and nuts in it for Thanksgiving[the craft store would have a nice basket cornucopia].A Xmas flower decoration. FTD has a new one every year that they advertize.
A box of my favorite candy, with a nice card would work for me, if I were the recipient.
I am in the same boat as your friend, my friends haven't a clue what to get me. I've told them, just the fact that you thought about me is the gift, but they do not like that. I have several collections, started back when the parents were having trouble finding presents for an adult child. They were elderly, and couldn't roam the stores to find just the right present.They could order collectibles from catalogues. Does your friend collect something? Does she have a Xmas tree? A fancy ornament, same type every year, would be nice. Lots of companies have an annual ornament.There are lots that say from our house to yours, or to our friend.
Sounds like you got plenty of ideas. Hope you find some that work for you, and your friend.
2006-08-26 19:36:12 · answer #2 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you could just give a thank you gift or wait until her birthday. There are also milestones for her what about when she gets a promotion or moves into a new house. She doesnt have to have teh same milestones as you.
2006-08-23 11:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by dionne m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a big deal over birthdays and Christmas for her! You can always take her out and do things just because. Nothing special is in order.
2006-08-23 09:18:44 · answer #4 · answered by alone1with3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send her on a vacation. Cruise or flight to somewhere. Don't know how much you can spend, but it seems that over the years she had given to you, and what better way to give back than to send her on a relaxing vacation. Who knows, she could meet someone there!
2006-08-25 19:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin J 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send her a sincere thank you card with a gift certificate in it. Tell her how appreciative you are of all that she does and stress the fact that you'll be there if she ever needs anything.
2006-08-23 10:52:00 · answer #6 · answered by Jayna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your wife to bake her a cake or invite her over to have dinner with your family. Perhaps you could invite a few other people so she gets to know more people as well.
2006-08-23 09:19:10 · answer #7 · answered by citrusy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You and your wife cook a great dinner for her. Invite her places together. Help her out financially if she needs it.
2006-08-26 11:58:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ana 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋