etiquette question

[houseelf]

We have received several bags of used children's clothing from our friends and family. In turn, I always give my kids clothes to my friends who could use it. My question to you all is this: Is there any obligation to pay for items received. A drug rep that DH barely knows gave him a huge baby of expensive, brand name baby girls clothes (which she ironed). Beyond a thank you note, should I do anything else?

Kelly

I think a thank you note is fine (and I don't always make it quite that far ).
When I have borrowed (and returned) maternity clothes, I have sent flowers as a thank you or a gift cert to a maternity store (if reason for hasty return is pregnancy of lender). Those clothes saved me a few times for fancy work or evening stuff so I figure spending a little on a thank you makes sense.



She ironed the baby clothes????

I agree. We have received A LOT of baby clothes and supplies from friends and family, almost always with the pretense of 'we're done having kids, here you go' or 'give what you don't want to the Salvation Army' . I have sent thank-you's, but thats about all.
That's crazy, I don't know anyone who irons baby clothes.

[BonBon]

She ironed the baby clothes????

That's what I was thinking. I don't even iron my OWN clothes, let alone the baby's. (I am such a bum ) (and here is what a not-so-great housewife I am - K frequently wears wrinkled dress shirts under his suit jacket ) But I digress...

I think a sincere, effusive thank you note would be sufficient. That was very generous of them. If she wanted $ for them, she would have sold them on eBay. Personally, when I loan/give out clothing, I expect nothing in return.

That's what I was thinking. I don't even iron my OWN clothes, let alone the baby's. (I am such a bum ) (and here is what a not-so-great housewife I am - K frequently wears wrinkled dress shirts under his suit jacket ) But I digress...

Two thoughts for you:
1. If he doesn't take off his suit jacket, only the front of the shirt needs to be ironed.
2. Find a cleaner that launders shirts for $1-$2 per shirt. Well worth it, IMO. You just say "light starch, please" and voila you are done!

I don't even iron my OWN clothes, let alone the baby's. (I am such a bum ) (and here is what a not-so-great housewife I am - K frequently wears wrinkled dress shirts under his suit jacket )

Or buy the wrinkle-free dress shirts. I haven't had to iron any of DH's shirts, so long as I can get them out of the dryer and on a hanger within a reasonable time.

[BonBon]

Nellie, I CANNOT believe I never thought of either of those!! A buck or two a shirt is definitely worth it! I *hate* ironing.

Shella, I'm not allowed to dry dh's shirts - I get in trouble. I've tried that trick before. He's got monkey arms(read: large wingspan) and his shirts always shrink above the wrists.

Speaking of wrinkle-free, have you seen any of the new Teflon coated clothes?

Didn't mean to hijack, Kelly