He won’t take cash, that’s why. Just the kind of guy he is. He’s gonna be taking care of my cat for a week while I’m on vacation.
Thought about a couple cases of his favorite beer. Still might do that. Any other ideas?
Consumable souvenir from wherever you’re going is an obvious choice. If you’re any good at cooking/baking, something homemade is also a good choice (and much harder for him to turn down).
Well, the neighbor might not accept a gift from you…but will he accept a small token and a card from the cat?
If his personality fits that vibe, then that’s what I would do: Make a thank you card from the cat, signed and everything. Go all out with construction paper and crayons, possibly make it multiple pages if not a small pamphlet. (Cats are very thorough)
The time spent will show him your intended appreciation.
Then if you still want to get a gift to go with it (totally valid, i would!) you will want to get him some nice version of something he loves: bottle of booze, some fancy chocolates, whatever. Stalk his social media or ask his partner if he has one, to get ideas of what he’s in to.
I think this is a smashing idea. Well done!
One of the best things I have learned to do as a way to influence people and make friends is making cookies.
Cases of a favorite beer sounds like a good idea! My mom always urged some kind of consumable as a gift in these situations. Consider if there’s anything unique to where you’re going (e.g. if I went to Hawaii, I’d bring back a Kona blend coffee).
Framed picture of your cat
This is the answer.
Cheese. everyone loves cheese
I house/petsit often and usually receive cash or beer but I would ten thousand percent accept cheese.
Yes Wallace
I’ll take some rosey goat, goat cheese rolled and covered in rosemary.
This summer we let the neighbors park in our driveway since there is currently construction on our street. They’ve dropped off brownies, cupcakes, and a freshly rolled joint as thank you. And if you’re wondering, they were just regular brownies and cupcakes.
How was the joint?
On par with what I would roll myself.
I actually didn’t know that they smoked, or that they knew we did, so it was also a kind of wink wink message.
I vote beer. Or baked goods if they dont have any allergies because nothing is worse then getting a box of delicious looking cookies filled with nuts that’ll kill you.
If he’s the type of guy that doesn’t expect repayment and did it out of the kindness in his heart, you can reciprocate by doing the same. Let him know you owe him one, and make sure sure it’s received that you’re serious and not just something “you say”.
When your time comes to do something for him, do you expect payment? Or for him to grovel?
Yeah, and I would add that even if OP does get a small token of appreciation for their neighbour, but it would be good to emphasise that OP doesn’t feel like the gift has paid their neighbour back for their help, but just a little extra, and that the neighbour should let OP know in future if there’s any way for them to help out.
I say this as someone who often explicitly prefers to not be paid back for kindnesses done unto others. I’d prefer someone to pay me back in kindness in the future. After all, if I’m in a position to help someone out, then it’s likely that I’m not in particular need of receiving extra kindness at that point in time. However, if I remain friends with someone for long enough, inevitably our positions will end up being reversed at some point. It’s nice to feel like I’m a part of a dynamic little equilibrium.
And if there never comes an opportunity to pay me back, then paying it forward works for me too. None of us can escape living under late stage capitalism, but small acts of community building feel like a hint of an escape
If people can’t, or don’t enjoy receiving money as gift, I always recommend giving people experiences.
Do something for them that they can’t, won’t, or don’t even know about doing.
Oral.
As an experience is generally well given and received
When people are difficult about accepting cash as thanks, I’m a fan of hiding some money at their place or in their stuff. Depending on the person though, they might figure it out and thus begins a pretty silly back-and-forth battle.
My mom and I are currently in the midst of one of these back-and-forth battles lol, but it’s been a few weeks and I think I managed to get her to keep the $20!
This sounds like a win-win
I once heard a story about a video editor who wouldn’t take money, so the guy who ran the YouTube channel (black pants legion) sent him cases of cured meats until he accepted the money instead.
Brownies or cookies, homemade if you can make them otherwise splurge a little for something fancier than regular store bought.
I always opt for something you can eat or drink if they say they don’t want gifts. That way it won’t clutter anything up and you were still able to give them something. So if not the beer, some candies or maybe a tray of smoked salmon would be a good idea. Or if the place you are visiting has some type of specialty, like a local spice or fruit, maybe that.
I just looked after my neighbor’s cats and they gave me a card with a lovely thank you note and a door dash gift card. Totally wasn’t expecting it but it was sweet. Maybe something like that?
