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Gardening

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How to thank a 16-year-old neighbour who gave up his afternoon to help dh dig up conifer tree?

56 replies

happynappies · 15/05/2011 19:11

Not sure whether this is strictly a gardening issue, but where else to post it?! Dh was busy this afternoon trying to uproot an enormous conifer tree stump from our front lawn when our 16-year-old neighbour who we've never spoken to before volunteered to help. He worked solidly for a couple of hours, fetching tools and chatting to our dc's as he worked. His Dad then joined in, and eventually the job was finished and they both helped carry the tree stump off the garden and tidy up. Dh obviously thanked them both at the time, but on reflection we feel we should show our appreciation more but how? If the lad was older perhaps we'd take round a bottle of wine or crate of lager, but as he's under age thats out. Was wondering about a gift voucher but what for? Or bake them a cake (or is that a bit twee?). We've only got very small children, so no idea what teenagers might appreciate, and would you get something for the Dad too? All ideas gratefull received!!

OP posts:
scarlettsmummy2 · 15/05/2011 19:12

vouchers for i tunes or vouchers for the cinema??

peeriebear · 15/05/2011 19:14

I'd not say no to free cake, and I doubt they would either! :)

AuntieMonica · 15/05/2011 19:15

Are you the 'friendly' type?
What I mean is, a BBQ where you cook 'nice' food for them by way of a thanks, but this could mean a 'close' neighbour rather than a 'say Hi as you pass' neighbour.

sharbie · 15/05/2011 19:15

tenner for teen and bottle vino for dad???????

teens are always desp for cash ime

Beamur · 15/05/2011 19:17

Or simply a thank you card with a fiver/tenner in it for the lad and some beer/bottle of wine for Dad? What nice neighbours.

bigTillyMint · 15/05/2011 19:18

Money for the teen Grin

Maryz · 15/05/2011 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

somedayillbesaturdaynite · 15/05/2011 19:25

if you don't want to give cash i would deffo say the itunes voucher or one from a video games store

MirandaGoshawk · 15/05/2011 19:26

Cash. £5 or £10. Nothing else required, as far as I can see. It's nice to know that there are freindly people around who you can call on, and they'll be able to call on you in the future.

MirandaGoshawk · 15/05/2011 19:28

And to answer your ssecond question, I wouldn't bother with money for the Dad, just £5 or £10 for the teen. I would do it now, rather than bothering with gift vouchers etc.

TheMonster · 15/05/2011 19:29

What lovely neighbours!
I think to bake a cake is a great idea.

voodoomunkee · 15/05/2011 19:30

Definitely a voucher for something teen appropriate, iTunes, etc and bottle of nice wine? Maybe some gardening gloves Wink tis good to know that there are some nice people out there these days!

bustersmummy · 15/05/2011 19:32

I'd give the teen money in a card and some beers for the dad.

Bet you were delighted to get the help! Tree stumps are the very devil to get out.

beanlet · 15/05/2011 19:35

Not money; this wasn't a commercial transaction but a kindness - and £10 is very little really. I'd give him an All Saints voucher.

Jaspants · 15/05/2011 19:37

Teens always want cash to waste on crap IMO, if not that then itunes / gamestation / hmv / amazon voucher

happynappies · 15/05/2011 19:42

Hmmm thanks everyone, am puzzled about the cash option. On the one hand lots of people saying its what teenagers want, but we were a bit with Beanlet in that it seems a bit, well, rude? Getting tangled up in knots with this!! Just been debating with dh, because I agree if we give cash should do it now, not send a card weeks later, but if we order vouchers could take a few days. Are itunes vouchers very widely used then?

OP posts:
hogsback · 15/05/2011 19:51

I would also go with the cash option but also just wanted to point out that he is not underage for alcohol (assuming you are in the UK)

Maryz · 15/05/2011 19:55

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

barbarianoftheuniverse · 15/05/2011 19:56

Not money, or they'll feel awkward offering to help again.
BBQ
Choc flapjack
Teens don't just want cash. They like to feel needed.

somedayillbesaturdaynite · 15/05/2011 19:57

itunes is the equivalent of a Woolworths voucher when I was a teen Blush to buy music or video games and you can buy them at most major supermarkets too if it's more convenient (tesco/asda nearby?)

catsareevil · 15/05/2011 20:00

You could do an amazon voucher - you can order them on-line and then print out a voucher or just put the code into the card.

I think that money of a voucher would be the best thing for a teenager, beer or wine for the dad.

ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie · 15/05/2011 20:01

I think a cake for them to share and a tenner in an envelope for the boy would be perfect. It's thoughtful and the cake suggests you've given your time as they gave theirs - far better than vouchers.

CaptainBarnacles · 15/05/2011 20:04

I would give them a cake and a card.

Carrotsandcelery · 15/05/2011 20:06

Dh is suggesting you write to Paul O'Grady as he does a "Thank You" slot on Radio 2 on a Sunday.

I would still give him a wee gift but teenagers get a very hard press and it would do a lot of them a lot of good to be publicly thanked for being totally fab!

beanlet · 15/05/2011 20:12

Radio 2. Nice idea, but do you really think a teenaged boy would be listening?