what would you do- gifts from appreciative people.

ronbre · #21 05/14/11, 02:34 PM

when I receive an unwanted gift I thank the people for the gift, put a note with it who it was from. and then in the future I find a place for it to go..either give it to someone who would want it..ask first..or donate it to a charity or a benefit blind auction

Dixielee · #22 05/14/11, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliaAnn

Quote "Never take away their right to be givers. It's a bible truth.... give and it shall be given unto you..... Don't take that opportunity away from them. It may be the way God is using to bless them. That is a seed they are giving. They need a harvest, especially if they are ill or poor. Don't stomp on that seed and count it as nothing. You take it, and honor it for what it is... a seed. Never stomp on a giving spirit. Always accept it with great reverence and thank them for it. Then pray for God to give them a great harvest. If you personally cannot use the item, then pass it on to someone who can. But honor the spirit of the Giver. God is a giver, and humans learn giving from Him. It's not your place to worry about their finances when they give. It is not your place to provide for them. It's God's place. And He does it because they give. Scripture after scripture talks about seed time and harvest. That's a seed. Let them plant it.""

THIS is the PERFECT explanation, thank you Mekasmom for making it so clear!

I agree completely! I am very independent and rarely ask for help, but when my husband died, I was emotionally spent! A number of people helped by bringing food, firewood, etc. I was humbled by their generosity. When I tried to refuse help at one point, the giver said, "Please allow me to have the blessings of serving you." WOW, was that an eye opener. I have always enjoyed helping others and never expected anything in return. I now realize that there are great blessings in giving and receiving.

Becka · #23 05/14/11, 08:09 PM

Graciously accept the gift and thank them with sincere appreciation. This is their way of showing their love for you. It would steal their joy if they thought it was a bother instead of a blessing to you, so don't let that show. You can always pass the gift on to a charity if you don't need it.

Also, the next time they do something like that, why not sweetly let them know that instead of spending money on you, you'd LOVE for them to share some stories about their lives--anything from WWII or their growing up years, or ask about their grandchildren. I've found that the elderly like to share their old photo albums and tell the stories behind all the pictures. This is one way they may be able to "give back" without buying a gift. Ask them how they (fill in the blank, like grew a garden, etc.) way back when. You might learn something new and they will feel like they are passing on their knowledge.

mtnviewfarms · #24 05/14/11, 08:54 PM

Accept the gift graciously and if it is an 'unwanted and/or item you will not use' then just donate it to your local recycle shop and someone who does want whatever it is will get it at a bargain price and everyone 'wins'.

HeelSpur · #25 05/15/11, 09:34 AM

I always accept gifts whether I need it or not, its the thought that counts.

landdweller · #26 05/15/11, 02:57 PM

I always feel like I have to do something nice for someone if they do something nice for me. I dont know why I guess its because my grandma always was that way. Even when she was 90 yrs old before she passed away she always had a open door policy. She was old school and always made enough food for an army. When people in her church were sick she make them homemade chicken and dumpling from scratch ( killed, plucked the chickens herself) There was never a day at her house that she didnt have someone over to eat or pick up in town to come eat dinner. She was the kindest lady.Now, what I do for something nice is I give gift baskets of home canned bread and butter pickles, jams, jellies, mustard relish, tomatoes, etc. No one ever says no thank you and they are always a big hit. I get a laugh when I tell them for christmas they can regift me all the jars back. lol Now, I have an aunt that gives me rediculuous hideous gifts. I just act like they are the greatest things in the world then I donate them. Shes older and I dont want her to think I am ungrateful.

DebM · #27 05/15/11, 04:00 PM

If I do a favor for someone and they say something along the lines of "I don't know when (or how) to repay you" - I ask them to pay it forward, and explain the concept. More often than not, they tell me what they did. This works much better with peers or younger, not so much with my parents' generation (70s-80s). Their generation still wants to give something tangible so I graciously accept, then after a time donate it to a fundraising yard sale - Relay For Life or somebody's sick child or something, but not if the giver lives in the same community (word can SO get around "did you see what Mary Jo dropped off, my goodness!") (Thankfully I work in another, so I have the choice of two.) I don't recall getting something I'd feel comfortable re-gifting, my tastes aren't the same as the giver's or I'd be using it, lol. But still, I like paying it forward best. ymmv.