diff --git a/core/models/__init__.py b/core/models/__init__.py
index f3795655..662ddca3 100755
--- a/core/models/__init__.py
+++ b/core/models/__init__.py
@@ -319,14 +319,17 @@ class Acq(models.Model):
             self.expire_in(timedelta(days=14))
             self.user.wishlist.add_work(self.work, "borrow")
             notification.send([self.user], "library_borrow", {'acq':self})
-            return self
+            result = self
         elif self.borrowable and user:
             user.wishlist.add_work(self.work, "borrow")
             borrowed = Acq.objects.create(user=user, work=self.work, license=BORROWED, lib_acq=self)
             from regluit.core.tasks import watermark_acq
             notification.send([user], "library_borrow", {'acq':borrowed})
             watermark_acq.delay(borrowed)
-            return borrowed
+            result = borrowed
+        from regluit.core.tasks import emit_notifications
+        emit_notifications.delay()
+        return result
 
     @property
     def borrowable(self):
@@ -1372,6 +1375,9 @@ class Gift(models.Model):
         self.used = now()
         self.save()
         notification.send([self.giver], "purchase_got_gift", {'gift': self}, True)
+        from regluit.core.tasks import emit_notifications
+        emit_notifications.delay()
+
 
 
 # this was causing a circular import problem and we do not seem to be using
diff --git a/core/models/rh_models.py b/core/models/rh_models.py
index 792e729b..72ca471b 100644
--- a/core/models/rh_models.py
+++ b/core/models/rh_models.py
@@ -109,5 +109,7 @@ def notify_rh(sender, created, instance, **kwargs):
         for claim in instance.claim.filter(status='pending'):
             claim.status = 'active'
             claim.save()
+    from regluit.core.tasks import emit_notifications
+    emit_notifications.delay()
 
 post_save.connect(notify_rh, sender=RightsHolder)
diff --git a/core/signals.py b/core/signals.py
index ea17ac4f..96f94cf1 100644
--- a/core/signals.py
+++ b/core/signals.py
@@ -212,9 +212,8 @@ def handle_transaction_charged(sender,transaction=None, **kwargs):
             from regluit.core.tasks import send_mail_task
             message = render_to_string("notification/purchase_complete/full.txt", context )
             send_mail_task.delay('unglue.it transaction confirmation', message, 'notices@gluejar.com', [transaction.receipt])
-    if transaction.user:
-        from regluit.core.tasks import emit_notifications
-        emit_notifications.delay()
+    from regluit.core.tasks import emit_notifications
+    emit_notifications.delay()
 
 transaction_charged.connect(handle_transaction_charged)
 
diff --git a/core/tasks.py b/core/tasks.py
index 7095d5d6..36dc8f2b 100644
--- a/core/tasks.py
+++ b/core/tasks.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def refresh_acqs():
             
             # notify the user with the hold
             if 'example.org' not in reserve_acq.user.email:
-                notification.send([reserve_acq.user], "library_reserve", {'acq':reserve_acq})
+                notification.send_now([reserve_acq.user], "library_reserve", {'acq':reserve_acq})
             # delete the hold
             hold.delete()
             break
diff --git a/frontend/views/__init__.py b/frontend/views/__init__.py
index 4b0b65db..84e764bc 100755
--- a/frontend/views/__init__.py
+++ b/frontend/views/__init__.py
@@ -2876,6 +2876,8 @@ def receive_gift(request, nonce):
                         gift.acq.expire_in(0)
                         gift.use()
                         notification.send([giftee], "purchase_gift", context, True)
+                        from regluit.core.tasks import emit_notifications
+                        emit_notifications.delay()
                         return render(request, 'gift_duplicate.html', context)
                 context['form'] = RegiftForm()
                 return render(request, 'gift_duplicate.html', context)