My family and I moved from Minnesota to Michigan. Our house wasn't ready yet, so a family from the area invited us to live with them. We've been there for five weeks. We sign on our house this week!
We are very grateful and have done our best to be good house guests. They have been very gracious and understanding. Our kids get along great. We're moving out, and we want to show our gratitude somehow. But how?
We're buying a house, so we'll be strapped for cash. I'd love to offer babysitting, but she doesn't really do much without her son, and she prefers it that way. I'm just at a loss.
Any suggestions?
We buy and make all of our meals, as we are on a very strict diet. We have offered to pay some of their bills, and they refuse. They are just genuinely nice people! They've had people live with them in the past who have been going through hard times, so this is something that they love to do. They love to help others.
My family and I do not feel guilty about being on the receiving end of that help. We are not trying to pay them back or make anything even-Steven. We know that we can never repay the gift they've given us. We are not looking to do so, because we know it will never happen. We would, however, love to show them how grateful we are for their generosity.
Here is something they would probably find meaningful....
Is there something you can do in/for the community? Is there someplace you can volunteer, or help out? If so, see if there is some way you can do it in "honor" of this very special family....
In other words, "Pay it Forward" ....... Find some way to help someone else to honor what that very special family has done for you......
What a fabulous experience & friendship to have had, such a blessing.
Rather than trying to do something for them, how about helping them to "pay it forward"?
Let them know that when there is another opportunity to help out another person/couple/family, you'd like to be involved & help reciprocate the love & generosity they shared with you.
Good luck for a hassle-free close on your house! T.
Hi K.,
I think I understand your situation. have had two occasions of having folks live with us. One was a friend and she stayed for two months, as she moved here from another country. One was a stranger! She took a job at my school, moved here from out-of-state, and found her condo not ready when she got here! She stayed for about six weeks. Both ladies were great houseguests and the truth is, as humble as our home is, we had the room! Both thanked us and gave us token gifts. I would have been very embarrassed if they had given us any money! Now, if I had been financially strapped, that would have been different. But at this point in my life it was just a pleasure for us to be in a position to share our home.
If you notice something they love (blue glass, mystery books, cooking utensils, etc. ) perhaps you could gift them something to add to their collection. Otherwise a personal note, hugs, and chocolate chips cookies always work for me!
I know money is tight with you but think how tight it would be if you had to rent for the five weeks. You really should offer cash, at least in the amount you increased their bills.
I have never put it to paper but just when my adult kids come to visit it increases my utilities, especially water. They use the washer/dryer, they dirty dishes which again is water but also gas to heat it.
If you are already doing that sorry, you didn't mention you were paying anything in your question.
_________________________
After reading your what happened, when you get settled in invite them over for a really nice dinner that they can relax and enjoy. Kind of letting them see the fruits of their labor.
Heck, I'd pay some of their bills!! Even have gracious guests and great kids, it's an incredible burden.
K.:
How sweet of them!!!
Have them over for dinner.
Give them a very thoughtful card of thanks.
If they drink wine - a nice bottle of wine...with a "gift certificate" for a parents night out...or a date night for them...
A note of thanks might mean more than anything you can "do" or offer them. Especially a hand written one.
Congrats on the new home!!
Count your blessings regarding this family!!
actually, i am going to go with the majority here. i know you are strapped for cash but if they hadn't extended the invitation you'd be more strapped for cash. so pay their one month mortgage. even if they refuse, tell them it will make you feel less guilty.
Have they had you as houseguests completely rent free?
Think about paying 1/2 of the mortgage for 1 month, an electric, water, gas bill, groceries, etc.
You know their household expenses increased by taking in a family... try to do something to help with the extra expenses that were incurred for 5 weeks.
I understand buying a house is huge but you should not be strapped for cash when you are just moving in to a house. There are tons of expenses related to running a house.
They sound like a very good family to have opened their doors to another family for this long. There are not a lot of people like that in the world anymore. Count your blessings with this family! Congratulations on the new home as well.
I suggest inviting them to your new home for a nice dinner that they don't have to cook or clean up after. Try to make their favorites together with a scrumptous dessert.
You are truly blessed to have found this family!
Pay one of their bills from the past month and buy (or make, in your new home) a nice dinner for them.
Also, if there's anything you've noticed that they enjoy, you could turn it into a gift (movie theater gift card if the kids like movies, etc).
Consider providing them with home-cooked baked goods or a few casseroles for the freezer. 3 doz cookies or a baked ziti is fairly cheap to make. Pick a recipe that isn't going to break the bank.
We got 3 brand new board games from our last house guest. I think of her every time we play.
Have them over for a VERY NICE dinner.
And send them a beautiful flower arrangement or fruit or wine basket with a hand written thank you note.
I know you say cash is tight. You're building a house. What they did was invaluable to your family, so you've GOT to pull off this thank you properly. You won't get another chance.
Wow! You were very blessed to find such nice, helpful people.
If they have already turned down monetary help, I think continuing to offer it is more of an insult than gratitude.
Thank them by having them over your place, cook their favorite meal. Send flowers ( I love flowers and they make me happy :)) If they drink wine, a bottle of their favorite.
Money isn't everything. You give/do what you can/have and they will know and appreciate that! Have your kids make something too, whether it be a card, candle or something like that.
$100 gift card to a restaurant you know they like.
Invite Them To A Thank You Dinner, Write A Heartfelt Letter...Handwritten That Speaks To This And Let Them Know Their KindneSs In This World Is Rare. Thay You Will Make It Less So By Living By Their Example And Pay Their GiftS To You Forward. AlSo The Mortgage/ Rent You saved Should Still Be There. If They Wont Accept Some Of It, Offer That It Could Go To The Local Foodbank At Least Some Along With Volunteer Hours At That Or A Homeless Shelter. If All PeOple Acted As They Did Give Without Expecting Something Back What A Wonderful WorlD It Would Be. Please Watch Your Future Budget As If It Is That Tight You Are In Certain Danger Of Needing Their Shelter Again.
Pie, wine and flowers.
good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
