Should I do last minute neighbor gifts? Help me stop overthink this!

[R828]

I could really use the Hive’s wisdom on this! 

We have a neighborhood tradition of exchanging Christmas gifts with our neighbors. Not everyone does it and it depends on the year but usually most do. So this year as our Christmas present to our wonderful neighbors (14 homes on a cul de sac) my husband offered to take family photos inside and outside their homes. Now my husband does not do this for a living but he’s truly talented and uses professional cameras, lenses and editing software. The neighbors we are closer too have seen his work and 7 families coordinated with us to set up dates/times. I didn’t hear back from the other 7 families and I didn’t want to be pushy so I didn’t follow up with them. 

Today 2 of the families who did not respond to my email, stopped by to drop off generous Christmas presents. I’m sure they don’t care if I reciprocate or not but I would really like to.

Should I go grab some stuff and put together some last minute goody bags? Obviously this isn’t something I budgeted time for and I’d rather not stress about this now but I’ll do it if that’s the best thing to do. I would do gift cards but nobody has done that before and it seems rather impersonal. Or should I bring up the fact that DH would gladly do a photo shoot for them in January and maybe show them some samples of his work? I don’t want to be pushy about it though.

What do y’all think I should do? Please help me stop overthinking this!! 

Edited December 22, 2021 by R828

[Storygirl]

They may not want photos, but it would be nice for you to offer a January photo shoot when you thank them for their gift. It's not necessary for you to give them an alternate gift, if they don't want to participate in the one that you offered. Don't feel guilty!

I'm sure your husband's photos are special! What a nice thing to offer.

[Shoeless]

I would send them a heartfelt thank you and let them know the offer of a photo session stands. Maybe they would like something in spring, rather than winter? Springtime pictures are popular here when bluebonnets are in bloom. 

Don't feel badly and don't overthink it. You are required to thank them, you are not required to give them a gift beyond what you have already offered. 

[JustEm]

You are overthinking. You have already given them their gift, they just haven't redeemed it. They may never and that is their choice

[R828]

22 minutes ago, Storygirl said:

They may not want photos, but it would be nice for you to offer a January photo shoot when you thank them for their gift. It's not necessary for you to give them an alternate gift, if they don't want to participate in the one that you offered. Don't feel guilty!

I'm sure your husband's photos are special! What a nice thing to offer.

 

3 minutes ago, MissLemon said:

I would send them a heartfelt thank you and let them know the offer of a photo session stands. Maybe they would like something in spring, rather than winter? Springtime pictures are popular here when bluebonnets are in bloom. 

Don't feel badly and don't overthink it. You are required to thank them, you are not required to give them a gift beyond what you have already offered. 

I’m a bundle of nerves right now, so thank you for being sweet voices of reason! I really appreciate your replies and think I’ll do exactly that. 
 

MissLemon I love all the Texas wildflowers and bluebonnet photos are a yearly family tradition here. So that’s a great idea! 

[R828]

3 minutes ago, hjffkj said:

You are overthinking. You have already given them their gift, they just haven't redeemed it. They may never and that is their choice

You’re right. Thank you!