What to get as a gift for a host?
January 22, 2016 10:57 AM Subscribe
My wife and I will be going to Florida on vacation for a week at the end of February. We bought a condo earlier this year, and one of our neighbors is an older couple that has a winter home near Orlando. Their place has a semi-separate one-bedroom living space, and they very generously offered to allow us to stay there while we're on vacation, which will save us a few hundred dollars in hotel costs.
We've never done anything even remotely like this before. I of course know that a gift here is appropriate, but I have no idea what the standard is. If you were in the same situation, what would you give them?
We've never done anything even remotely like this before. I of course know that a gift here is appropriate, but I have no idea what the standard is. If you were in the same situation, what would you give them?
What a wonderful gift! I'd do a few things: I'd send a postcard or two from the trip itself as well as write a longer thank-you letter expressing your appreciation for their generous gift. You could bring something back (a crate of citrus, etc.?) or some non-perishable food from their favorite shop down there and invite the over to dinner. You and your wife could share photos and you could all share stories. If you go the gift certificate route like tippy suggested, you could give them one to their favorite restaurant in Orlando for them to use next time they're in Florida!
As you noted, it's hard to think of an appropriate memento when a gift is so large; however, it sounds like they're so glad to have you as neighbors and perhaps even see a bit of their younger selves in you and your wife. In addition to the things mentioned above, just continuing to be the good neighbors you've been is probably the greatest "gift" in return.
posted by smorgasbord at 11:23 AM on January 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
As you noted, it's hard to think of an appropriate memento when a gift is so large; however, it sounds like they're so glad to have you as neighbors and perhaps even see a bit of their younger selves in you and your wife. In addition to the things mentioned above, just continuing to be the good neighbors you've been is probably the greatest "gift" in return.
posted by smorgasbord at 11:23 AM on January 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Here's what I would do: ask them for recommendations for their favorite restaurant (or two) in the area of their vacation house (under the guise of getting advice of where you can eat on vacation). Then, get them a gift certificate/card for that restaurant for them to use next time they're in FL.
posted by Betelgeuse at 1:25 PM on January 22, 2016
posted by Betelgeuse at 1:25 PM on January 22, 2016
Response by poster: Note: they will actually be at the house at the same time we are (and of course we won't actually be there much except to sleep).
posted by markslack at 2:10 PM on January 22, 2016
posted by markslack at 2:10 PM on January 22, 2016
You could pay for a dinner out together at a nice restaurant, if you can work it out schedule-wise. Alternatively, a bottle of good wine or other alcohol (if they drink) and flowers.
posted by as_night_falls at 2:16 PM on January 22, 2016
posted by as_night_falls at 2:16 PM on January 22, 2016
I'd up the ante on the restaurant / dinner thing. They're letting you vacation at their place, so you should reciprocate by offering them the opportunity to go on vacation.
Search for local hotels and find a reasonable one-night special and get them a gift card comparable to the cost of a one night hotel room stay. I have some older relatives that like Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando because it has a big pool and nice spa. (Anyway, it seems a good price point suggestion. That being said you could get them a voucher at a hotel for some service if you don't like the hotel room idea.)
Unless they're super old and unresponsive - this is a witty, but well-received gesture.
posted by evcourtexaminer at 3:53 PM on January 22, 2016
Search for local hotels and find a reasonable one-night special and get them a gift card comparable to the cost of a one night hotel room stay. I have some older relatives that like Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando because it has a big pool and nice spa. (Anyway, it seems a good price point suggestion. That being said you could get them a voucher at a hotel for some service if you don't like the hotel room idea.)
Unless they're super old and unresponsive - this is a witty, but well-received gesture.
posted by evcourtexaminer at 3:53 PM on January 22, 2016
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posted by tippy at 11:03 AM on January 22, 2016