gifts from people you don't know well ...

[lookatmeimsandradee]

Last year I was ill.
I joined an online support group.
One of the ladies was also ill at the same time.
We bumped into each other at a treatment centre.
We've kept in touch supporting each other via facebook etc, I got better, she is still having problems.
We live quite a distance from each other
She sent me a massive birthday present earlier in the year,
I have just received a Xmas gift from her, it looks expensive.

I am really grateful, it's a truely lovely thought and very kind of her to think of me, however All Ive done back is posted a card, which is all I wished I got from her
Now I feel guilty that I should have got her something.
What would you do?
Would you just accept the gift and not feel guilty.
Would you send a small gift back

As I said it's very generous, but I don't even send friends who Ive known all my life gifts

Awkward! I would probably thank her for the gift but not send one back. If you do, you'll be buying each other gifts for evermore. Hopefully she won't send you another one.

I've been in a similar situation last year and I also don't exchange presents with friends (we generally go out for a meal instead).
I thanked her for the gift and apologised for not sending one back, then explained that I only do gifts for family and wouldn't expect her to send me presents. She explained that she liked buying gifts and happy to do it etc.
She has sent me a present for this year, I do feel a bit bad about it but I have explained so not much I can do about that!

So I'd send her a similar message or explain when you next chat to her, if she's nice enough to send you gifts then I'm sure she'll understand.