Always said hello to upstairs neighbour, chatted when met outside the apartment block, stopped for a few mins chat. They are lovely. We have never socialised although keep showing we must. They do help me from time to time with quick physical tasks that I struggle with.
Always exchanged Xmas cards since they moved here a few years ago. But nothing else.
I have cut back on Xmas cards this year anyway (more than halved the amount I write and send) and hadn't got one from them so presumed they were doing the same, as so many of us are these days.
Neighbour comes round today with a card, bottle of wine for me and a gift for my children. I didn't have anything wrapped or prepared and it would have been way to obvious to go and get a bottle from the fridge so I thanked her very much, said "you shouldn't have but thank you" etc and she went off.
Haven't opened gift yet for the kids but think I really should give her at least a bottle of wine and a card for her kindness and because they are really nice neighbours...and I do have a nice bottle I can give.
But how on earth do I do it without it being obvious that I had nothing for her today when she came? What do I say? "Sorry you caught me on the hop yesterday when I had guests around and one of them is alcoholic so I couldn't get the bottle out that I had stashed away for you?".....(alcoholic bit is true). Or something else? I struggle with tact and diplomacy and don't know how to do this. Help!