Should we give our neighbour a present?

I would reciprocate but everyone will have a different view so only you can know.they obviously felt they wanted to give you a little brightness in these dull times and why not? they are only small presents Maybe a bottle of wine or some flowers or Christmas chocolates would be nice in my opinion?

I would get wine, biscuits or chocs but wait until Christmas Eve to give them.

It has now set a precedent though for years to come. If you don’t want this to be every year then I would not send a gift at all.

Wonder why they’ve started now after all these years?

As Elizabeth said, it will have to be a regular occurrence if you reciprocate.

Being a bit ‘Bah Humbug’, I would prefer if they hadn’t given me anything in the first place, and would fret over what to do!

I would probably thank them but not reciprocate.

No, I would say a jolly thanks and leave it at that!

I think I’d prefer to reciprocate such a kind gesture, a bottle of wine, a box of chocs, something for the garden, whatever you think they’d enjoy.
I would write a little card saying ‘ a small Christmas gift to cheer you as it’s such an usual year for us all’. Something along those lines to indicate it’s a one off.

Nah, don’t reciprocate. Once you start it, it could get very tedious.
Just offer a smiley thank you & leave it at that.
Our new neighbours gave us wine the first Christmas they were here. We were embarrassed but didn’t reciprocate. They’re a nice young couple but we didn’t want that kind of neighbourliness with them.

The only way to knock this on the head is just to say thankyou but don't reciprocate. It could snowball otherwise and there's enough to think about at this time. It's entirely up to you.

I would feel bad not reciprocating. Perhaps they feel more neighbourly than before because of the unprecedented times we have been living through. A plant or chocolates or wine would be lovely. However I do understand about the problem of starting something that you have to continue each year.

by reciprocating you could make the givers feel uncomfortable.....people don't give to recieve.

I'm not sure.
Nothing more than a plant, a bottle of wine but then it could escalate to other neighbours too.

Our neighbours brought us a nice bottle of something (not sure what yet) but it was more of a thank you for something we did for them not long ago. We didn't expect it as there was no effort involved on our part.

They obviously feel closer now and wanted to include you in their giving of presents. People don't give to receive. I think you should do what you want to do. There is no right or wrong here - reciprocate or just thank them.
I wouldn't worry about setting a precedent. It doesn't take much effort to give a neighbour a small present of chocs or wine.

I think that the pandemic has made a lot of people more aware of their community, and they were probably just letting you know that they are there, so if you need them you know you could knock.

If you don't want to set up a regular gift exchange you could send a card with a note saying thank you, and when it is safe to do so you would like them to drop in for coffee (although even that may be more than you want to do?). I think you have to acknowledge the gift though - it would be rude to ignore it. Do you bake, or something like that? A cake or home made biscuits would be a nice gesture, or, as has been suggested, a bottle of wine.

Obviously I meant ‘such an unusual year’.
I really must learn to read before posting.

I would feel uncomfortable if I didn’t reciprocate with a modest gift such as Christmas biscuits or chocolates . I’d also be prepared with another gift wrapped in case the 2nd set of neighbours turn up with something for you.

Grannynannywanny

I would feel uncomfortable if I didn’t reciprocate with a modest gift such as Christmas biscuits or chocolates . I’d also be prepared with another gift wrapped in case the 2nd set of neighbours turn up with something for you.

This for me.

My thoughts: If you have already given them the usual Christmas card, I would write a gracious thank you letter and pop it in their letter box. If you are yet to give then their Christmas card, write a thank you in the card and put the potted plant ( or maybe the candle) in full view on your window ledge (just for a couple of weeks) to show how much you appreciate it. Try not to kill off the plant too soon.

I second Grandmabatty. Good neighbours are beyond measure IMO.

We're they wrapped?

It could just be things they didn't want or need regifted. Just a small thought that you might enjoy them.

If you don't want to start a tradition, do something small, you could bake some extra or just make sure to invite them for tea and cake in better times

I sometimes get given things I'm allergic too and pass those on to my neighbour, don't expect anything back

Two of my neighbours buy me a small Christmas gift and I buy for them . This year it was chocolates from my local garden centre and they were ready wrapped in Christmas paper and tied with a red ribbon. It's a regular thing and I enjoy doing that ! If you really feel uncomfortable about this just send a lovely thank you note or better still thank her in person. The other option if course is to buy a small gift and take it round to her with a smile on your face, but be prepared that by doing that you are setting yourself up for an annual event! Personally I think it's a nice thing to do.

If Id to start buying for neighbours, that would pile even more unneeded pressure on me. I would write a thank you in their Christmas card and pop it through the door. I don't buy any of my neighbours gifts. Ive plenty people to buy for. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I genuinely don't have the time or the inclination to start buying for the neighbours too. Apart from anything else if one neighbour gets a gift and others find out, it will either snowball to unmanageable levels, or cause ill feeling. We used to be running round doors with cards and it was rarely reciprocated. I now only give cards to neighbours Im closest to.

Something from your garden, a packet of bulbs ( all 50p in my local Homebase at the mo) or some homemade biscuits are nice small token gifts for helpful neighbours.

no I wouldn`t, if you are always there for them, to help in any emergency, that is present enough. I help my neighbours if needed and they would always help me. I plucked up courage and told everyone this year that I would be donating food to one of the many foodbank boxes instead of giving cards, they smiled and agreed and one said he didn`t know how to get out of card and present giving but he would next year

Thank you for your replies!

I have already sent cards to neighbours and I saw her and said thank you as she had also taken a parcel in for us.