Hostess gifts, available at Isabella: Pom Pom Bubble Turkish hand towels, $31; assorted playing cards, $17.50; roomy matches tin collection, $19. 115 Cherokee Road.
Dear Bonnie & Ted,
I don’t think you fully realize what that dinner meant to us.
As a busy mom, just getting an invitation and having someone else take one thing off my plate for an evening is enough to make me want to cry with gratitude. But what you gave our family went so far beyond just the meal.
From the moment we arrived, you centered the conversation around our girls. You asked what they’re interested in, listened to their stories, and made sure they felt comfortable and included. I watched them light up, and I could see how much it meant to them. There’s something so special about having adults outside of your family genuinely interested in what you have to say, and I know that means so much to them.
I know our schedules don’t always line up, and we don’t get nearly as much time together as I’d like. But when we do, you pour into our whole family. It may not feel like a big deal to you, but to us, it is everything.
In a season of life that feels so busy and rushed, having neighbors who slow down, open their home, and make our children feel truly loved and valued is a gift. We don’t take it for granted.
Thank you for being exactly the kind of neighbors and friends you are. We’re so grateful for you both!
With so much gratitude,
Misty, Andrew, River and Palmer Hurd, Myers Park
(To the left) Available at Bonnie & Bud: custom holiday gift box, starting at $60. 517 Fenton Place.
(Bottom left) Available at Anne Neilson Home: cocktail napkins, $10 a set, with acrylic trays, $26; guest towels, $11 a set, with acrylic holders, $28. 721 Governor Morrison Street, Suite D.
John, Sloan, Patrick and Paula,
When we were moving recently, I needed a garbage can, and you brought them to my house so I could fill them with trash. Not glamorous, but that’s the kind of neighborhood we live in.
Thank you again,
Betsy Rosen, Dilworth
Dear Nesha,
I have so many people in my life to be thankful for—dear friends, loving family members and people who just pass out random acts of kindness daily. But there is one particular person here in Charlotte who stands out immediately, and that's you.
You are one of my best friends, and people in the Queen City already know you to be the most generous, kind, beautiful soul who "does not settle." I am so grateful to have you in my life. You have been through so much in the last few years, and I am grateful you were able to conquer all of those obstacles with grace, class and strength. You are an inspiration to so many, for so many reasons.
You are one of those friends who is always ready to help and offer solid advice with your expertise, no matter what you are going through. You are unapologetically authentic and a master at connecting people. We need more people like you in this world.
You are my ride or die. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
I love you, Nesha!
Tillie Kerna, Fort Mill, S.C.
Available at R. Runberg Curiosities: taper candles + matches trio, $85; Lobmeyr handpainted fishbowl vase, $527–688; The Gourmand's Mushroom, $50. 2321 Crescent Avenue.
Sharon and Charlie,
There are people who show up when tragedy happens, and then there are the rare people who are still there months—even years—later, when most of the world has moved on. You were those people for our family.
After my accident, when I suffered a traumatic brain injury, you stepped into our lives with generosity, kindness and care. But what I am most grateful for is that you never decided there was an expiration date on that care. You kept checking in. You kept reminding us we weren’t alone. You stayed through the long middle, when the immediate crisis had passed but life was still incredibly hard.
There were times, years into this journey, when I could no longer see the light ahead. You held hope for us then. You reminded us that even when we couldn’t see it, the light was still there—and that someday we would find our way toward it again.
Your friendship has taught me something I now carry into everything I do: the greatest gift we can give someone in a hard season isn’t fixing what happened. It is staying.
Thank you for staying. Thank you for believing there would be light. And thank you for holding hope for us until we could begin to hold it ourselves.
You are missed more than you know, but your love lives on as we teach others how to Borrow Hope.
Well done, good and faithful servants,
Eleanor Shell, Stonehaven
Available at Ruxton Mercantile: Christmas bottle hat topper, $4; Games Room trivia game, $15.
Heidi,
Thank you for the homemade pesto you gifted our family using the plethora of basil from your garden. The next night we made the most delicious pesto pizzas that even the kids enjoyed! Thanks for being an awesome neighbor.
Jill Vande Woude
Dearest Gwen,
You are simply incredible. I’m really not sure what I would do without you. Not only do you serve as an Uber driver for my children, but you truly love them and care for them like they are your own. From keeping their favorite snacks on hand, to buying them fun toys, to treating them to Chick-fil-A or Starbucks, to helping with school spirit outfits, decorating for birthday parties, and sharing in all the big and small moments. And that doesn’t even touch all the ways that you constantly bless me (other than loving my kids) with things like Prosecco Shredding nights, ideas for our renovation and a shoulder to cry on when life gets hard. I could go on and on. To simply say thank you for loving us so well isn’t nearly enough, but 100 percent heartfelt. You are a gem, and we absolutely adore you!
Xoxo, Lisa Huntington, Foxcroft East
My dear friend (anonymous),
Thank you for supporting my classroom and for helping me create community for my students. It has not been easy to find people who support educators. Your generous gift card will allow me to purchase art supplies and crafts. These additional items will give our students an opportunity to be creative together. We are a small school and we have to watch our spending for supplies. Thank you for helping our students feel the support. As your friend, I appreciate your efforts to pay joy forward.
I will do the same.
Fondly,
Megan Fink Brevard, Matthews