I sometimes wonder when to give a thank you gift to someone who has
done a favor for me or helped me in some way. When is a gift proper as
opposed to just a simple thank you note, a payment of money, or just
saying a sincere thank you? I asked an online group what occasions
required a gift and then what type of gift would be appropriate.

In their collective wisdom they said that a gift should be given when
someone does something special for you or your family. Some of the
reasons for when to give a thank you gift were: If someone has helped you
get a mortgage or land a great job, after someone helps you out by
feeding your cats while you're away for the week-end and after spending one
or more nights in someone's home.

They felt that a thank you gift should be given when ever someone has
gone out of their way to assist you. Examples of this include making a
change in their schedule or spending a great deal of time helping you,
for instance: a neighbor clears your driveway with his snow blower or
chops some firewood for you when your husband is laid up.

When asked what appropriate gifts might be they ranged from the
elaborate to the homemade. The thoughtful neighbor with the snow blower
received a gift of homemade, warm-from-the-oven cookies, while the chopped
firewood earns an entire loaf of homemade pumpkin-raisin bread.

A fruit basket would be an appropriate gift to give someone who gives
you a business lead. While a friend who helps you land a new job might
receive a basket of flowers or fruit with a thank you note attached.
And a thank you gift idea for a favorite teacher might be a nice little
book full of poems and sayings especially for a teacher.

Suggestions for thank you gifts ranged from edibles like cookies,
candy, food gift baskets, to gourmet coffees and exotic teas. One might also
give a gift certificate to a local restaurant, gift cards to a
favorite boutique or a movie theater.

Remember any time someone does a favor for you is a time when it's
proper to give a thank you gift. Also, its not the cost of the gift that
matters, but the thought that counts. So the next time you are touched
by someones thoughtfulness, consider giving a small token of your
appreciation.