My boss that lives in my neighborhood gave me a lot apples and peaches from trees in his vacation house in Utah. I didn't know he was doing that, so I also bought a few cases of apples and peaches from my co-op, along with pears.
Basically I had a ton of fruit so I had a major canning session over the last several days.
I also had the windows open because it was nice outside. I guess my house smelled good while he went out for a walk, so he came over to check it out.
He asked for jam and bottles of fruit yesterday. I couldn't really say no since he gave me a lot of fruit. We're in the same produce co-op and he gives me the produce that they didn't eat at his house.
Was it tacky that I asked for the empty bottles back?
Re: s/o apple butter
I don't think it's tacky to ask for the bottles back. If you gave him a pie, you would have wanted the pie plate back, right? I think it's the same thing.
My mom gives me homemade jam, and I always give her the empty containers back (so that she can make me more jam!).
Pie plate example makes sense.
I don't mind if it's someone that's going to can and use them. Like with my mom and aunts. The bottles aren't that expensive. But when it's someone I know doesn't can, and would probably toss them, i'd rather have them back.