Hostess Gift

Updated on September 19, 2008
R.S. asks from Skippack, PA
26 answers

We're stayiing at a family friend's vacation house for a weekend. I won't see them, but would like to leave a gift as a thank you. I don't know them well, so alcohol and food might not be good. (especially if they don't come back for a few weeks) Any suggestions? I would like to spend $25.

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I think I'm going to do a gift card of some kind so I can leave it in a thank you note. I'm not that crafty, so the basket sounds great, but mine never turn out great. thanks for all the input.

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S.C.

answers from Williamsport on

Find out where they like to shop and send a gift card to their home mailing address along with a nice thank-you card.

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C.H.

answers from Allentown on

I wouldn't leave it behind, I'll send it to them, just in case others also stay over and this way you know they definetely got it.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Leave gift card for somewhere to go out to dinner. leave it with a nice thankyou card. look for some places around the area where you are staying so they can go out to eat when they are visiting their vacation house.

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

You can always leave a restaurant gift card or Target gift card in a nice card.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I would send a thank you card to their home with a local restaurant gift card.

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T.M.

answers from Johnstown on

R.
A small gift basket is always neat. I love baskets and I think they make the best gift cause you can fill them with what the reciever needs or likes. I sell Longaberger and I'm trying to think what I have inmy closet that would fit your budget. You always can go to walmart and find an inexpensive basket though and fill it with soap or candies and stay with in your budget. Hope this helps.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

i would leave a gift card from a local breakfast or dinner place

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A.P.

answers from Williamsport on

I am more crafty then some people, but I love to make flower arrangements out of fake flowers and put them in lovely vases. Then I rotate them in my house to decorate.
I certainly can't afford real flower arrangements so this is a nice way to spruce things up and save money.

You can go to any craft store and buy "bunches" of flowers from $2-$10 each, depending on the type of flower. Then split up the bunches and arrange nicely in a vase, that you purchase from anywhere between $1-$20. Tadaaa!

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D.V.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Why not stationary and stamps? That way they can use it when then they are enjoying their vacation?

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L.W.

answers from Lancaster on

what about a gift certificate to a local restaurant, give them a "date" night, I always appreciate that.

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M.A.

answers from Philadelphia on

How bout a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

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A.P.

answers from Allentown on

How about a gift card or gift certificate to a local restaurant or grocery store or something?
If they don't like the store or something, they can always re-gift it during the holidays! :-)

Have fun!!!!!!

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A.P.

answers from Reading on

We were in the same situation this past summer. I realized that there were things that we would use while we were there and think nothing of it. Those were the things that I bought and took. Some examples - hand soap for the bathroom, toilet paper, laundry detergent, bottled water, cleaning supplies, etc. It may not be the funniest gift but it is very practical. You can also make it more attractive by decorating it nicely.

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S.O.

answers from Allentown on

there are beautiful candles that cost about $23 called Votivo. i believe you can them at the promenade shop called "Douglas" that has all those nice body and skin products. the various scent options are amazing, not lame and vanilla-y or cinammon-y but deep and really different. i LOVE them - they can freshen up your whole home and i think they're a lovely gift. also, Williams-Sonoma has really great hand lotion/dish soap/hand soap caddies for the kitchen in great scents like lavendar, etc. you sound like a nice, concientious houseguest! enjoy your vacation.

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M.D.

answers from Scranton on

There is nothing wrong with leaving a bottle of red wine since they age as time goes by and it's better. Your other options are to leave a nice collection of bath accessories like bath gels, salts and shampoos and such with a couple of monogram towels. Or a couple of nicely scented candles. The options are plentifuls. Just think of when you are actually in a romantic hotel (we can dream -huh), what do you like to see waiting for you? Hope this helps.

mom of 4.

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R.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I think a gift certificate to a restaurant or maybe something decorative for the house. Will there be cleaning people coming to the house? If so, I'd be a little careful about leaving something just sitting around.

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K.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I actually had the same experience and while staying at a vacation house realized they didn't have a tea pot. So I went to the outlets nearby and bought a teapot and left it with a bow and thank you note on it. So check out what they may need there and go for it. Oh the family loved it and really appreciated it!

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R.L.

answers from Reading on

You could purchase a gift card from any number of stores or restaurants in the area that you think they might utilize, possibly a Lowe's, Home Depot type store since homeowners are always in need of things for the home.

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B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

how about a really nice candle, the large yankee candles are around $25 dollars after you add taxes.

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N.G.

answers from Scranton on

Dear R.,
A $25 Gift Certificate for Lia Sophia Jewelry, and this has a 100% Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.

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S.H.

answers from York on

I'd say maybe candles in a neautral color, something small to sit outside like a decorative stone or a welcome sign.

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C.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

A gift certificate to a restaurant in their area.
C.

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J.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

R. S You could make up a nice gift basket with candles a bottle of wine is a nice addition in the basket (if they dont drink wine they could always regift it or serve it when company is over) and/or a gift card to a favorite place they like to go to or a movie gift card. Since you dont know them real well this are good not to personal gift ideas. you can get the baskets at a dollar store and some nice tulle to wrap it in (tulle makes it look nicer). arrange the things in the basket put the basket in the center of the tulle gather all the tulle up around the top of the basket tie with a pretty ribbon and fan out the tulle to look like a bow. you could do this for about 25.00 dollars maybe a little more depending on where you buy your candles and wine or how much you spend on a gift card. Good luck have a nice vacation.

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C.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Any nice restaurant in the area? Can get a gift certificate so they could use it next time they stay at their house.

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J.P.

answers from Harrisburg on

Hi R. ~ shop the local Wal-Mart, K-Mart or even better dollar store and put together a basket of candles, soaps and maybe even a new hand towel that matches their decor! She especially will love that you put the thought into it!

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T.L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I would get a gift card to a restraunt in the area. Or the local coffee shop.

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