Additionally, i dont know how to handle it as i didnt ask for help and she hasn’t asked for payment.

She is probably not expecting compensation and you could send her flowers for example. At the time, I might of offered a nice lunch.

I would offer her something as Maureen mentions above.

Lots of referrals!

If she paid for the lights, ask her how much they cost, and would she prefer check or Venmo?

When we offer to buy things for our friends using my husband's employee discount, they pay us back exactly what the discounted item cost. Nobody is assuming we're giving them the product for free. It's not awkward, it's a perfectly normal transaction.

If you feel like you also want to compensate her for her time, get her a bottle of wine or take her to lunch.

She is probably not expecting compensation and you could send her flowers for example. At the time, I might of offered a nice lunch.

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

Under the circumstances your friend is not expecting any kind of "compensation" for her design services, As others have suggested, appropriate would have been to treat it as an excursion with a friend and treated her to lunch or dinner at the time. At this point a nice "hostess" gift would be appropriate.

I have these scenarios since I have friends who are professional and have also used a designer who was compensated in accordance with agreed upon rates.

When my friend who happens to be a designer goes with me to look at stuff she doesn't charge me for my time because it is a social outing completely.

Did she pay for the lights using her discount, or did you pay for them? I feel like this is not clear.

Thanks all for the input!

i paid for the lighting directly to the store but a dinner and bottle of nice wine gift would definitely be in order!🙏😊

I paid for the lights at the discounted rate

"i had searched out similiar priced items on Wayfair previously."

that made it sound like she paid for the lights. it was confusing.

Dinner and wine gift is perfect. :)