Accept generous offer to go on trip with a friend

Dear Amy: Like many people these days, my husband and I have struggled financially.

We both work on commission, and there have been months when we’ve had no income at all. My husband is taking his Social Security benefits earlier than we had planned, which have been helpful.

We have a problem that most people would love to have, but we’re not sure how to handle it. We have a friend. He is divorced and quite well off. He has two children in their 20s. Every year around the Christmas season, he takes his family on wonderful vacation trips.

This year, our friend has surprised us by inviting us to join them. He is paying for all of our travel, hotel and related expenses.

We’re going to an over-the-top luxury destination. We truly don’t have any extra money. We’ve been living off our savings, which are nearly gone.

I told my husband that I didn’t think we should accept the gift, but he really wants to go, and our friend was so excited to bring us. I’m overwhelmed at this generosity.

Do you have any suggestions on how we can appropriately express our appreciation? Something that doesn’t cost a lot of money but says we are grateful? I know he isn’t doing this for our thanks, but I feel we should do something special.

Lucky Friend

Dear Lucky: You are correct in that your friend is not sharing his largesse to be thanked, and you are also correct in that you must thank him.

One way of expressing your gratitude is to be a great sport and have a wonderful time.

Take great photographs -- with an eye toward documenting the experience. Get some good shots of your friend interacting with his family in various locations.

After you return home, turn your photos into an album. Write witty and warm captions for the photos, and on the last page include a photo of you and your husband. Your caption should read, “With affection and gratitude for the trip of a lifetime.”

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Dear Amy: I’ve been enjoying reading about everyone’s “worst gifts.”

I know many women think that getting tires for the car is a terrible gift, but not me.

What a man is saying when he gives tires is this, “I noticed that your tires were getting bald, and I didn’t think you noticed. I don’t want you driving on bald tires, so I am going to spend hundreds of dollars making sure that your car is safe because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Grateful

Dear Grateful: That’s the spirit! Thank you.

Send questions to Amy Dickinson to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.