This is INSANE!

My neighbors went away this past weekend and asked me to collect their mail and newspapers. No problem. They got back Monday and came over to get everything. Told them the weekend was pretty eventful and that was about it. They later returned, last night, to hang out while dh and I were sitting on our porch. They handed me a $25 COMMISSARY GIFT CARD. I was like "what??? are you kidding me?". I refused to take it and said "It's just a neighborly thing....it's not worthy of a reward". I went inside to pee, came back out. We chit chatted for a bit and then called it a night. They ended up giving it to Dh who wasn't there at first when I pushed it back to them....HE TOOK IT. Do I keep it? Or do I give it back? I honestly don't think collecting someone's newspaper and mail for two days is worth this kind of "thanks". CRAZY!

Keep it I am sure they really appreciated you helping them out

That they tried a second time to give you the gift card after you refused it the first time tells me that they really wanted you to have it (your husband may not have known that you had refused to take it, but they did, know what I mean?) and considering that I think I would graciously accept it. You may not think what you did is worthy of a monetary gift, but they did.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Lucas (11/08)

I'd settle for date night babysitting instead! LOL

Exactly!!

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That was awesome! If they didn't want you to have it they wouldn't have even tried to give it to you in the first place. Though I don't always do it,(i am a space cadet) a nice thank you note expressing your thanks for their thoughtfulness, I am sure would be greatly appreaciated

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Revmom aka Evie:love:

I would just keep it. Next time they ask you do this again, mention that you would like to receive date night babysitting if they feel that they need to give you something in return.

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Mommy to Ariana 8/11/01 & Davis 4/11/05
I love my kiddos!

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You know I think that you not feeling it was something done for a reward is exactly why they gave you that card. They know you did it out of the kindness of your heart and they wanted to show you that your kindness was appreciated. So in order to allow them to show you this appreciation you should take it.

Take it. It is a gift from them to you, just as it was a "gift" for you to help while they are away. They want you to have it and it will make them happy if you keep it. So keep it!

My Grandmother always does the samething, and I have learned just to take it because it makes her happy to try to give us something.

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Mom to Kaylee (10/2006)
Waiting on our second bundle of joy to arrive January 2009!