This morning my neighbor jump started my car for me, how do I thank him?

Question

I want to be able to show my appreciation. He saved me an hours wait and $100 for a tow truck to come out. We just moved into the neighborhood too, so I don't know much about him except that he's married with 2 kids. My fiance and I were thinking of baking them some cookies or brownies, but my friend just told me that is too weird and they'll end up throwing it away. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Everyone loves gift cards!

Answer 2

well, some people don't eat things prepared by people they don't know.  me, i'd be thrilled to get some homemade cookies (or a bottle of wine) as a thank you.  you just can't tell, maybe they're diabetic, or they don't drink (in the case of the wine), or they're allergic to chocolate or they're health nuts and don't consume carbs or allow the kids to have sweets.  as you don't know them very well yet, maybe you could invite the family over for dinner as a thank you, and you could get to know them better at the same time.  if you don't want to go that far, just send a thank you note, but make sure you both sign it, or his wife may think you're trying to flirt with him (some people are overly jealous and possessive).

edit:  i just read the babysitting idea above, and i like it.

edit#2: i still like the babysitting idea, you would just have to get to know them first.

Answer 3

Buy them a box of chocolate, candies for the kids, a pound cake and some flowers.

Answer 4

I think cookies and brownies are fine.  You could also get a gift card (maybe $10) for Starbucks or a local restaurant so his whole family can use it.

This will be a nice way to introduce yourselves as well.

Answer 5

My sister let her neighbors borrow her car to shop when they had two flat tires & they returned it with a box of chocolates & their thanks. She hadn't expected a gift & was pleased  about that. If not, it wouldn't have been a problem to pass the gift to someone else, or bring them to the office.

Answer 6

You should have them over to dinner, then a movie.

Answer 7

Cookies or brownies would be great!  Homemade cookies and brownies is something you can't buy, so it really shows appreciation.

But you don't really have to do anything.  Helping someone is a privilege.  Hopefully you will have a chance to return the favor, and that's better than cookies or brownies.  They wouldn't hurt though.

Answer 8

cookies or brownies are a great idea people always appreciate something homemade or since he has kids maybe a gift card to a pizza place or somewhere fun he could take the whole family i'm sure whatever you do will be appreciated

Answer 9

Helping someone jump start their car, is what good neighbors do for each other.

I think that cookies or brownies are a good idea, with two kids, I'm sure they will enjoy them.

Perhaps, just add a small "Thank You" card too.

Answer 10

If they are new to the area, why not invite them over for a bar-b-que? This gives them a chance to get to know you and maybe even some of your other neighbours with a bit of organisation.

If a bar-b-que is a no go, brownies or cookies would be fine. So would a potted plant or a bottle of wine.

edit: Sorry bit the babysitting thing is bad. As a mother I would NOT be interested in people that I only knew because my husband jump started the car as babysitters. They don't know you yet, trying to watch their kids would seem too familiar and too.....scary.

Answer 11

I don't see what is wrong with the cookies and brownies idea.  Just make sure they aren't too 'fancy' if the kids are younger.  I know my younger siblings often won't eat something if it has nuts in it or something like that.  Just make plain chocolate chip cookies or brownies, I would say pretty much everyone likes those!  Also, I would put in a little thank you card as well.

Answer 12

Send them a nice card thanking him.

Or if you have their phone number, just call them and thank him.

Answer 13

------dont know-----

Answer 14

He didn't save you $100 for a tow truck...no one tows a car that has a flat battery...they jump it just like your neighbor did.

Bake him a cake.

Answer 15

i'd go with baked goods :)

Answer 16

Home made goodies are usually great Thank You gifts.

A better option is to meat the woman and offer to babysit one Friday or Saturday night for free to show your appreciation.  Sometimes a night oput away from the kids is worth more than you can imagine.

Answer 17

Your suggestion is perfect, in my opinion.  Alternatives would be a bottle of wine, or maybe a gift basket.