The people are just trying to be kind, and I don't fault them for that, but I do understand your annoyance, because it's interfering with the values you are trying to teach.
Also, you may not have thought of this, but it isn't a good idea to for children to learn that it is okay to accept "gifts" from strangers without their parent's permission. It's actually a safety issue, because predators often try to lure children with candy or toys or money. So you can teach your children to always say, "Thanks, but I have to check with my mom/dad first." That way you could always tell them they may not accept the tokens or candy or whatever.
Also, you may not have thought of this, but it isn't a good idea to for children to learn that it is okay to accept "gifts" from strangers without their parent's permission. It's actually a safety issue, because predators often try to lure children with candy or toys or money. So you can teach your children to always say, "Thanks, but I have to check with my mom/dad first." That way you could always tell them they may not accept the tokens or candy or whatever.
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It's kinda frustrating when people get self-satisfied when they're intervention "works" - but honestly I'd rather have people being too un/helpful than just not noticing at all. I think that's a huge problem and causes anguish and desperation for a lot of mothers - rather than just (sometimes extreme) irritation.
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I remember one time in particular when BooBah was newly walking (probably just around 10 months) and BeanBean was 2.5, I took the kids to the park and they just ran and climbed and went wild. I was calm, cool, and collected the whole time, I just followed BooBah about two feet behind her and called to BeanBean every minute or two. Another mother said, "I could never be so brave, how do you manage to take such little kids to the park and stay so relaxed?" I almost fell over laughing; I had taken them to the park in the first place because they were driving me *insane* in the house. 
that's great.
