Moving, want to do something nice for my neighbor

[bean]

Most of my neighbors keep to themselves. I'm pretty good friends with one guy at the other end of the building, and when we bump into each other we wind up having a few beers and shooting the shit for a few hours.

The lady that lives downstairs and across has been AMAZING though. She's in her mid 60s if I had to guess, always awesome to talk to when we run into each other, and after my apt and car got broken into, she brought me this huge fruit platter. She also doesn't have a car, she rides a bicycle everywhere, so knowing she went all the way to Walmart (her preferred store) 4-5 miles away on a bike made the platter even more special. It was a platter she made, it wasn't bought prepared.

I'd love to do something nice for her when I move next week. I'm thinking about a huge bouquet of flowers. We've been neighbors for about 3 1/2 years, I have about $75 to do something nice for her. Alternatively, some kind of gift card. The night my apt got broken into I was sitting on the stairs crying my eyes out while the police were looking through the apt, and she came out and sat down next to me and gave me a shoulder to cry on.

Sad thing is, I don't even know her name. The old landlord used to live next door to her and thought she was eccentric (which she is), but nice.

Ideas?

[Bella_Vixen]

I think a giftcard is a nice idea.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Walmart gift card? If she shops there a lot she'd appreciate that.

Maybe a smaller bouquet and a gift card?

[Seshat]

Or reciprocate the fruit platter. Though since she lives alone, it might be better to make it a basket with an assortment of foodstuffs - some of which keep well.

Or a basket of manchester. Check what colours she wears most often, and buy her (colour) bathroom set, teatowels, whatever you can manage on that budget. She'll think of you every time she uses it.

Or hit up a local bicycle repair shop, and either buy her some things they recommend, or buy her a gift card to there. THAT would be useful, if she's riding her bike everywhere. She should be able to get a full service and some inexpensive extras for $75. If you happened to know what she does/doesn't have for her bike, you could get her, say, some tyre levers or a set of lights or reflective ankle cuffs.
A saddle bag would also be VERY useful, if she doesn't already have a set.

A letter telling her how much she's meant to you, and how sad you are to be moving away from her, would also be very appreciated.

[taxguykarl]

I like Seshat's suggestion. Something practical...of course it's hard to go wrong with food gifts.

[tropicsgoddess]

I like Seshat's suggestion. Something practical...of course it's hard to go wrong with food gifts.

Agreed or make a nice homemade gift basket with stuff that she likes.

[bean]

The bike shop thing seems like it'd make the most sense. REI is about 1 1/2 miles away and does full bike service. My last bike came from Richardson Bike Mart, but that's a long trip on a bike (6 miles) (even though I often see her peddling 10+ miles from home). She is VERY much an outdoor person, so I'm sure a gift certificate for REI would mean a lot to her. She's always going camping, biking, hiking, etc. And she's older than my mother! (mom's 62, I THINK this lady is about 65) This lady just doesn't know when to quit.

I've done my share of long trips on bikes - my best being a nearly 20 mile round trip with only a 30 minute stop while it was 110F before factoring in the humidity - doesn't mean I want to do it again though. I took about 2 gallons of water with me and drank most of it before I even finished the first half, christ that was a long ride. I wound up finishing the last 1/4 in only boxers and my backpack. Middle of July in TX, who'da thunk it'd be warm?

Frankly, anytime I see her, unless she's about to hop on her bicycle, she's in a night gown and slippers. She lives comfortably, much like me. When I'm home alone I'm usually in just boxers, maybe a t-shirt. In the winter you might find me in PJ bottoms. I get zero visitors here, and keep my blinds closed (we're still hitting nearly 100F during the day here okay?!), so why bother getting dressed unless I'm going out?

To be totally honest, I barely know her, even though I've lived here 3 1/2 years. But she's been awesome every time I run into her.

[Seshat]

When my grandmother was in her late 70s or early 80s, she was still square dancing. She'd get 'dear little biddies' stopping her as she passed the groups who were sitting and watching.

DLB: "It's so nice to see you young people enjoying yourselves. I'm 65*, and I can't do that sort of thing anymore."
Nan: <tries hard not to tell the biddy her own age>

* Could be as young as 50!


Anyway: glad I could make useful suggestions.