Hey everyone,
A few close friends and I were recently talking about the holidays. 2 friends of ours (a couple) share an apartment with a single friend of ours. Let's call him Larry. Larry is always generous as holidays, birthdays, and even brings souvenirs from vacations. I usually reciprocate, buying a gift for him at Christmas and birthdays, and if we take a special vacation, a souvenir. The 2 friends he lives with are the opposite. They bake cookies at the holidays, and usually give a tin. They might offset to buy dinner for your birthday (or they recently came to my DH's bday party with no card or gift). So as a group, we discussed that we were just going to bake cookies together and not exchange. I am happy to buy gifts for all of them, however, I chose to respect our agreement. Tonight, we gathered and the couple, as promised, did not bring gifts but did bring baking supplies and beverages, which I appreciated. Another couple, in from out of town, also brought baking supplies and they brought a small hostess gift, but presented it as a hostess gift, and it was a small token, but very kind. Then Larry came in with a gift for my husband, and two gifts for me. I was stunned. I thanked him graciously, not wanting to make a big deal out of it or seem ungrateful. I opened the gifts, genuinely thanked him and put them away. But naturally I had no gift to give.
I want your opinions. I will likely see him or his roomies this week again. Do I run and buy a gift for him to reciprocate? Do I just send a heartfelt thank you note? I was so caught off-guard. Thanks everyone!
~CaraMia~
Married to my HS sweetheart since 7/2/10
Celebrating 10 years together 6/3/12!
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Re: Etiquette