Gift Giving-What Do I Get Them?

Make them a gift basket.
Make homemade breads and Christmas cookies and candies.
Maybe get a couple hand creams from Bath and Body Works. THese are on sale at Christmas and they have small stocking stuffer gifts,
An ornament from a craft fair tied to the gift basket..
Maybe an Amaryllis with the cookies.
I think making food is a great way to express how much they have helped. You could get a pretty holiday plate from Kmart or Walmart, I have a couple from when I was a teacher and I still use them after 15 years.

Instead of offering to babysit, try offering to host a kids movie night at your house. Then if the parents choose to go out, they can. Or they can enjoy a quiet night at home. The cost can be as little as the cost of some microwave popcorn. You can add a little extra by getting pizza and juice too.

I did this a couple of years ago and invited just the kids from 5 other familes. I fed the kids pizza for dinner and gave them popcorn and water for a snack during the movie. The kids came wearing their pajamas and brought a sleeping bag or blanket to wrap up in to watch the movie. The parents all left a phone number where they could be reached. Some went out for dinner and others just enjoyed a peaceful evening at home. The parents picked the kids up after the movie and just in time to put the kids to bed.

We have offered a night of babysitting to neighbors before and they seem to be a bit more hesitant to take us up on that. When we offer to have the kids over for movie night, they all asked what time. Just something to think about.

Hello! I used to be the neighbor who took care of the kids when their work schedules conflicted(they have since moved). I am a SAHM and realized that this family needed help and 45 minutes was really not that big of a deal. I also knew that they didn't have a ton of extra $ and I was home anyway. So it made me feel guilty taking any kind of $ from them when I knew thay may not be able to afford it. Maybe just give them a gift card to somewhere or buy them some nice coffee and some mugs. Think of the things these people might do everyday, but make it simple. I think people genuinely enjoy doing nice things for others, but it's nice to know they are appreciated. Good Luck and what a blessing to have these people in your life:)

keep it simple.. put together a basket of baked goods.. can you bake cookies and or brownies? buy a Christmas tin and fill it up.. really, it's truly is the thought..
offer to babysit somewhere down the road..

I would make a specific plan to watch their kids (free) so that they can get errands run on a weekend without the kids in tow! Really, this would probably far more appreciated than anything you could purchase.

We have provided a lot of support to my niece and nephew (same age as us, wacky family structure) over the last two years due to some significant events in the family. There is nothing that we "need", but they wanted to do something as a "thank you" and offered to babysit so we could go out without hiring someone. We thanked them and didn't act on it. A month later, my niece called and instead of "reminding me" said..."We'll be over on Saturday at 4:00 and will plan on being at your house until 9:00. Find something to do!" and hung up.

It was wonderful "found time" for the two of us and we ran errands, had dinner and caught-up with friends for a drink. Give the gift of time & it will be much appreciated!

You could also invite them over for a "holidy party" as a thank you. Order pizzas and hang out, if they are close friends they will love a night "off" from cooking and cleaning up dishes.

I would have the kids make these people a big card and make some nice baked goods another idea is have the kids make the big cards and you might also offer to take these Moms out to lunch as a thank you without the kids and tell themr how much you appreciate their help.It is nice to have such kind friends/neighbors in your life who are genuinely good people who don't expect things in return. THey make the world a better place.

As for the gifts for your kids for something smaller I know that Pillow Pets will be popular this year. THey are adorable big stuffed aniimals that fold in half but open up to be pillow. They are about $20 and I have seen them at Target and a few other places, Not sure what your budget allows, is there someplace they love that you can take them for a special b-day surprise? The best things are often not material things but make the best memories. Good luck Mom

I know at christmas time I get tons of fattening foods, I am trying to loose weight (yes every year I say this and get no where) I would love a coffee gift card, I also have an ipod for working out so a card to I-tunes. I also would ove gift vertificates to museums, zoos, playzones for my kids to do something fun.
It is hard to know just the right gift, I personally LOVE gift cards, I can get what I would use. I know it is the thought that counts and it does, but I am the type of person who hates to waste someone else's hard earned money excepually if I know it is a tight budget for them, but if I do not eat it, it does not look good on me or in my decor I hate to through it out so I store it. I can only store so mych before I go crazy.

Good luck and congratulations on the support network/friends you have set up for yourself. It is great to have these.

Gift cards to the stores they use the most, for WalMart, Target, Home Depot or Lowe's. You could do one for that and another for a restaurant. I would go for babysitting one day...Christmas is coming and you could offer to babysit so they could Christmas shop without children and then go out to dinner! Even a gift card to the local gas station for a couple tanks of gas!
Since they will be doing this service for you throughout the school year, maybe not just giving the 'thank you' gift at Christmas time, but find another day in the spring and take their kids, kicking the adults out for a day of "me/them" time. I would love to have someone do that!
Doing homebaking is great but with so many food allergies out there these days, you'd want to know ahead of time. I make an awesome English Toffee that we give as gifts around the holidays (and sell) so folks really love seeing me those times of year. But, I have to watch out as some can't do chocolate and some almonds or pecans.
You have some great neighbor/friends!! Nice that you notice and want to do something special for them!

Bake up some goodies and give them a nice card smothered with your appreciation for having them in your life. Put the goodies in a re-usable dish, that would be the gift.

You have awesome friends! I think ANY family could use and would appreciate a gift card to a grocery store or for gasoline (very appropriate since they take your kids to school!). No matter the amount, it will be appreciated! Include a nice, handwritten note expressing your thanks.

Also, when you've had enough of living paycheck to paycheck, might I recommend Dave Ramsay for awesome easy to follow steps to get you out of the "tail is wagging the dog" predicament you're in? Very helpful for saving/managing money so you are in control and can plan ahead!

I recommend making bath salts. I do it for everyone on my list, every year. Buy epsom salts - super cheap and super good for a bath or a scrub. Mix with anything from colloidal oatmeal, powdered milk (expensive), dried, crushed herbs like lavender, bayleaves, mix with a natural oil, like olive or grapeseed oil and few drops of an essential oil. The essential oils are pricey but go a long way and you can makes gifts for teachers, and others you'd like to pamper.

If the parents don't think their kids would "give" them a night out, then bring a night of fun to them....create a gift basket with a Blockbuster gift card, a box of popcorn, some choco, maybe a bottle of wine, throw in a thank you card and pass it along. Who doesn't rent movies?? Its a thoughtful win win!

: )

Re the food issue question, maybe you could work that into a general discussion - like, "wow, i keep reading about peanut allergies blahblahblah - i'm so glad I don't have food allergies? Do you?" LOL

Also, check your dollar store - we have some really neat ones in Dallas and they have fun and funky things sometimes - even baskets and tins, etc. You never know what you'll find.

You're so sweet!

Gift cards are always nice. Since they are getting up in the morning a Starbucks gift card would be nice. Or you can get them several different gift cards. Say that you want to spend $25 a piece. You could get a $5 gift card to Starbucks a $10 to Walmart and a $10 to Lowes or home depot. My Uncle used to cut my grass for free until he got sick and wouldn't take money. His birthday is in September so I got him a $50 gift card to Lowes. He really appreciated it.

Another idea is to offer to babysit their kids so that they can have a night out. That doesn't require money just a meal and snacks. Ok a little money, but that would be a good trade off.

Its really not the amount that matters but the thought. Good luck with your decision.

You have a lot of great answers!! I like the gift of time. Give them a handmade coupon book filled with offers to grocery shop (don't we all hate that!), Run to Walgreens if someone gets sick, an hour for whatever they need. You could put the coupon book into a small container and just fill with some handmade christmas ornaments or something festive. Another idea would be a gift card to a photograpy studio. Usually JcPenny or Sears have specials.

What awesome neighbors you have!!