I have always depended on the kindness of strangers...

October 2, 2017 8:41 PM

What sort of thank-you gift can I buy my new neighbours to thank them from saving me from my own stupidity tonight? I locked myself out of my new place, everything was inside the house (keys, phone, wallet, etc.) for the dumbest reason and. My neighbours let me wait inside of their house for a few hours until my roommate got home! I had never met them before and they were sooo kind, when they didn't really have to be. What can I give them as a thank you?
posted by modesty.blaise to Grab Bag (8 answers total)

If you bake, a batch of cookies or muffins.
A gift card to a coffee shop.
If you know they drink, a bottle of wine or a case of beer.
posted by bunderful at 8:43 PM on October 2, 2017 [13 favorites]

^ That's exactly it. A token gift, and under $20 or it gets awkward.
posted by mochapickle at 9:00 PM on October 2, 2017 [11 favorites]

If they served you something (like tea or cookies), some super nice version of that thing (high end tea, homemade or bakery cookies) to return the favor. And on the same theme, an offer to be spare key buddies in case either of you ever need it, if you got the vibe they would be cool with that.

Other neighborly offers like catsitting or snow shoveling make the world go round.
posted by kapers at 9:02 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]

A nice orchid.
posted by metaseeker at 9:12 PM on October 2, 2017

Oh, this happened to me once. I was making granola the weekend after, and gave them a jar of it.
posted by batter_my_heart at 9:32 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]

Flowers or some homemade brownies. (With no additives.)
posted by suelac at 9:40 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]

A decent bottle of wine.
posted by turbid dahlia at 10:03 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]

Flowers or something easy like an orchid. If they drink, good wine or spirits. And a brief nice note! Bonus points for cute wrapping!!
posted by jbenben at 10:23 PM on October 2, 2017