Thank You Gift for Landlord?

March 31, 2009 2:30 PM

I need some suggestions for a small thank you gift for my landlords of the past month.

I've been renting a room from a really nice family for the past month, and I am due to move out at the beginning of next week. The family has been been really gracious and kind to me, and I would like to give them a gift to thank them for their hospitality.

I am looking to spend a maximum of 20 or 30 dollars, and chocolate and wine are out for various reasons. Also, I'm in Belgium, if that influences people's suggestions at all.

I'm a giver of sub-optimal gifts at the best of times, so any and all ideas are welcome!

posted by that possible maker of pork sausages to shopping (6 comments total)

gift vouchers.......not very creative but always nice. they can be had from so many places now. restaurants, hardware stores, grocery stores.
posted by Taurid at 2:44 PM on March 31

For your price: Flowers, hunt around for a deal on a nice bouquet.
posted by Divine_Wino at 3:21 PM on March 31

Give them something decorative and useful that they will use often that will remind them of you. I once gave a host family a small pewter bud vase and it was a big hit. Leave a pretty bud in it.
posted by trip and a half at 3:23 PM on March 31

Seconding flowers. Appreciated by the vast majority of people, and there is no chance that you'd be burdening them with "stuff" that they'll have hanging around.
posted by cluck at 3:57 PM on March 31

Whatever you leave be sure to write a nice handwritten thank you. That will go across well.
posted by gibbsjd77 at 6:14 PM on March 31

Use your experience living with them! Is there anything around the house that would help them out? (E.g. if they're frequent tea drinkers, perhaps get them one of those hot-water dispensers so they don't always have to wait for the kettle to boil) Do they like particular kinds of decorative things? (Flowers, a picture, a vase, etc.) Did they mention they really wanted to see a particular movie but missed it?

In any case, I second the suggestion of including a handwritten card, that's always nice.

Glad you had such a good renting experience - whatever you decide to get them, I'm sure they'll be delighted just at the thought.
posted by skaye at 10:53 AM on April 1