Help me with a nice thank you gift

[gazpachosoupday]

To give a bit of back ground

My office has recently moved, I have gone from a 20 minute walk to nearly an hour journey, which includes walking and a bus. I can drive, I just cant afford a car.

I work my core hours and then anything I work afterwards I get paid overtime, but this is at my discretion. There is a shuttle bus which takes us from the office to town, but due to working later, I often miss the last one, I was aware of this and I am fine walking. There is a lady who I work with, who also works late and she often offers me a lift, sometimes I am finishing at the same time, sometimes I finishes earlier than her and sometimes finish later, so its not everyday and I am careful not to take the piss. By her giving me a lift, my commute goes down by an hour to 15 minutes, so I am very grateful to her.

I want to get her a little something to say thank you, but not sure, as I dont know her that well, I know she drinks white wine, I am also thinking, if she offers regularly, I might be buying her little gifts to say thank you every so often??

TDLR: What to get someone who gives me lifts home

Could you get her a Costa voucher.

I dont think she drinks hot drinks, but that is an idea, thank you.

I am waiting for one of her colleague's that is close to her to get back off holiday, so I can sound her out,

A regular present sounds a nice idea, how about a M&S voucher as then she could buy herself nice goodies or an item of clothing etc? That’s what I would like, I’d appreciate something as close to money as possible rather than random stuff.

This was my sort of thinking, is she really going to want something like a box of chocolate or a bottle of wine every month or so, also she could stop giving me lifts for whatever reason, so I dont want it to become transactional as such and I certainly dont want her thinking she has to do it.

Its such a lovely surprise when it does happen though and it really does make my evening easier, so I would like to show how grateful I am other than just thanking her everytime,

Hopefully, in a few months, we will be looking to buy our own car (or pushbike depending on prices) so its not going to be forever

Could you treat her to lunch once a week, perhaps?

No, where we are, an egg and cress sandwich costs £4.50 so everyone brings in their own

How about a petrol voucher

I'd honestly be really happy with the same bottle of wine every month. As long as it was one I liked. If she likes wine it's not like she won't get through it.

I didnt know these were a thing, I shall have a look into it thank you

This was my thought, but I dont know how big a drinker she is, a bottle of wine could last her an age

Have you had a good stab at trying to get her to take petrol money? Because that would be the first thing to try before giving her a gift, in my opinion.

You could try finding out where she likes to eat or get a takeaway locally and give her vouchers for that. That's a natural chatty conversation to have.

I think the wine or occasional chocolate is a good shout though. Or Prosecco. Or little things in kind if you can think of any - eggs if you keep chickens, strawberries if you go to a Pick Your Own. But offer petrol money first.

Offer her petrol money. If she refuses get her a takeaway voucher.

Yes takeaway a good idea. You can get just eat vouchers and deliveroo ones at supermarket.

I have tried, but she says she drives past me anyway, so its no hardship.

But also I remember when I drove, I really enjoyed the bit of time I had in the car by myself, I am not sure if its the same for her.

So its not just the petrol cost if that makes sense

A little present is nice-but please don't go over the top! On Mumsnet, giving a lift seems akin to donating a kidney, but for most people, giving someone a lift if you've got space in the car and you're going there anyway, it really isn't a big deal at all-and I would find it embarrassing if I felt someone was feeling the need to give me things. And I wouldn't take money either. So if it makes you feel better then something little is fine.

"So its not just the petrol cost if that makes sense"

Totally get this, but it was the right place to start all the same

I get this and I know, she says its fine, but on some days her giving me a lift, means I get home after 8pm instead of just before 10pm, so she really is doing me a massive favour, which I am very grateful for.

I would give her a card with some cash in it. Give it to her at the end of a drop
Just say oh here is a card just wanted to say thanks for all the lifts I didn't know what wine you like so either buy some or out this towards petrol. It's such a huge help to have these lifts, I really appreciate it

@pimmsandgin Personally-I'd find being given money really, really embarrassing. It's not costing me anything, financially or in any other way. I'd then have to think of ways to give it back without offending. And then it would get really silly and like a rubbish sitcom.