Over-extravagant Christmas present akwardness

Laurajo_2

Regardless of their perceived value of the present, they should still thank you - even if it was just a box of chocolates.

I must admit, I would feel a little awkward - it also might be, if they struggle financially or don't agree with having excessive amounts of christmas presents, that your gift to them has somewhat overshadowed the gifts they bought for the children, which may have made them feel bad.

I hope they take the gift in the spirit it was meant, you sound like wonderful neighbours!

Morglin

I think it was a lovely gesture, and I'm sure her kids will love their pressies!

It really doesn't matter too much what anyone thinks as the thought was in the right place.

Lin

Mojisola

Morglin wrote: »

It really doesn't matter too much what anyone thinks as the thought was in the right place.

It does matter what the neighbours think because it may affect the future relationship.

nomi76

I think the nooks and the note sound fine.

I would presume they will thank you in person next time they see you.

LannieDuck

I would feel awkward about that. They probably feel that the arrangement is fair and you both get a good deal out of it - perhaps they can't afford swimming lessons, but the mother is very happy to look after one extra child once a week in order for her children to learn to swim. In which case they may feel they get the better side of the deal.

Spending £120 on them for xmas might make them feel embarrassed that they can't reciprocate. And put them in your debt whereas before they weren't.

It was a lovely gesture on your part, but they may not know what sort of response you're expecting. Should they get your child a late xmas gift in return? Should they offer to do a bit more babysitting as thanks? I would wait until you see them next - they'll probably say something then.

bossymoo

Just wondering, is it worth fabricating an untruth along the lines of:

"We found these on a special deal a few months ago" or "We won one of these and our son already had one so we thought of you"

Scrapaholic

Sorry if I missed this bit but did you hand over the gifts personally to the mother ? Presuming she said , thank you very much , at that time ? She wouldn't have known what was in them if they were wrapped . Maybe she thinks that was enough thanks or maybe she'll say something when you see her again . Lots of us have people in our lives that don't say thanks for gifts or sometimes do but much later !