small thank you gifts

Why do you want to give presents to strangers?

Hi, bcmyers, are you staying with someone that you know over there? Or meeting someone local? I think that if you are staying with someone and want to thank them, it's always a nice gesture to take them out to lunch or dinner. But it really depends on the circumstances, so it would helpful if you would give us more details about why you want to give some gifts. :-)

What are you referring to when you say “ a traveler like me?” American? Solo? Man? Woman?

Thank you gifts are not expected but if it makes you feel better to provide something why not take your host(s) out to dinner?

Who do you plan to give the gifts to?

Back in the day I used to run my home as a B&B and on occasion would receive hostess gifts. These were not expected but accepted graciously because the guest who gave them had obviously decided it was something they wished to do. B&B's are not anonymous places and guests did to some extent become part of the family.

There were no customs with regards to thank you gifts which I was aware of then and no guest was maligned because they did not leave something. I don't think the situation has changed but if you wish to bring gifts I don't see any harm in it. I suggest something useful for the host and easy to pack for the guest.

However an alternative to a gift would be to make a donation to a charity local to where you are staying. Sometimes accommodation providers have collecting tins on their premises. I used to support a nearby animal charity this way and another guest house along the road did the same for the RSPB. However no two B&B's or guest houses are the same and what one does another may not.

Hope this helps :-)

Thank you all for your responses to my query. As the trip involves four people, taking someone to lunch is a nice idea but with so short of time in our itinerary, it is not practical. But I do like the idea of a contribution to a local charity. thanks again

Charity contributions are a great idea. If I were doing that, I think I'd first ask my host which local charity they'd most like me to support in their name.

I also run a B&B. Gifts are absolutely not expected and are the exception, although obviously appreciated. We want our guests to feel at home as they are staying in our house. If giving a small token is what they want to do, then that's lovely. If you're looking for suggestions then something useful, edible or drinkable is probably your best bet! A bottle of wine always goes down well.

But honestly, nobody will be expecting you do to do this!

As for charities, if you're staying anywhere near the sea then the RNLI (the lifeboats charity) might be a good one to support.

thanks to Skyegirl for mentioning the RNLI. They are a fabulous charity - all volunteers - not a penny of government money - and saving lives every day, putting their own lives on the line.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution - saving lives all around the country in and around the water.

Americans might be surprised that they are not supported by tax money.

Another very worthwhile charity is the life saving work done by the air ambulances - again, all volunteer, no tax money.

We stayed quite a few days in a B & B with a couple that was so lovely with their communication upon our arrival, I just brought some blank greeting cards wrapped with a ribbon (easy to pack!) made with photos taken from where we live. It was just a small gesture - fun to give and our hosts were delighted with them. Gracious 'thank yous' and being courteous are really the only thing you need to 'give' though. :)