Gifts?

“But would really like to have something they may use and appreciate.”

The best gift and 100% guaranteed to be used and appreciated is cash. It may not be something you prefer to give, but it’s definitely what the guides prefer. As far as giving gifts to a host, unless you’re staying for free at a friend’s house, you don’t need to give anything to your host.

Speaking as someone who used to be a guide.......give cash. Most of the "little gifts" people gave wound up in the trash.

As for your hosts.....are you paying them or staying for free? If paying them, why do they need anything else? If not paying them, and you really don't know what they would like, why not offer to take them out to dinner? Or bring something edible like candy.

Honestly, I don't know that many people who wear bandanas.

“ Honestly, I don't know that many people who wear bandanas.”

And I know even fewer Europeans who would want to wear a bandana that says “made in America”. I mean absolutely no offense, but this is a rather strange gift. Just give your guide a tip in the local currency if you’re happy with their service.

Candy is always good. Our relatives in Croatia love Hershey bars.

who uses cash?

I have a couple of AirBnb's and the gifts some of the guests have left are appreciated and proudly displayed. Flowers are always appreciated too.

If your relationship was business, and you want them to know it was business, and you have no desire for it to become anything more then the business it started as .............. leave a tip if the service they provided in the business arrangement justified a tip.

If you give them something personal and they dont recognize or appreciate the sentiment; then you should have not even given a tip.

Someone making fun of what comes from your heart is cruel at best; at least you have the heart to care....

We gave our B&B hostess in Chartres a small flowering plant when we left, and she was very touched. Flowers are always good. I was going to give her cut flowers, but this little plant just looked perfect.

GOT IT!
I’m really glad I asked and truly appreciate the feed back! Only $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

And when in European countries with the Euro, only €€€€€€€€€€

Giving gifts must be an American thing, as I have never heard of anyone that I know giving hosts a present. I have tipped guides - cash not a gift.

I would give friends or family a gift if I was staying with them, but not if I was paying someone for the service.

I just asked a friend if she had ever given say a B&B host a present and her reaction was “no - why would I?”

Nice idea, but give guides a cash tip and save cash and room in your hand luggage by not giving anything to hosts.

From the other perspective, I have been given gifts by Vacation Rental hosts who are complete strangers!
I was checking in to one in Venice, and the host noted that it was my birthday that day while checking my passport.
He came back later and left a gift of locally made soap for me.
Another stay in Naples: the host came back after a few days and brought us lovely little painted terracotta plaques that she had made.

Another vote for cash if you want to give to your guides or hosts.

Give cash or a wonderful review on what ever media sites they are on - FB, Instagram, Trip advisor, Google, Yelp, or their own website. Great reviews are very welcome and desirable. If you are touring, then buy a drink, a gelato, a piece of cake, or lunch or dinner if you are happy with your tour. Much better than a bandana.

As a guide, not sure what to do with gifts, though I did get a small bottle of maple syrup from a Canadian guest. That was yummy.

So when you give a host a cash "gift", that's a tip, right?
So I thought tipping wasn't too prevalent in Europe?
Tipping is prevalent in the US, but not so much to business owners, generally just staff.
What would be a respectful tip as a gift to a business owner host? Say, maybe $100 on a $400 bill?

I host tourists, I know I wouldn't be offended by $100 (I would give it to charity), but I also wouldn't be nearly as appreciative as I have been when someone took the time and effort to leave a $10 potted plant. Over the years I have received

Wine, Palinka House Plants Flowers, A beautiful handmade art vase, A
couple of books, Small painting, A "Dont Mess With Texas" coffee mug,
Candy, A movie for the collection I leave for the guests, Some beautiful
comments in the guest book (priceless), A lot of recommendations (also
priceless and the best ones are when someone calls and says so-and-so
recommended you),

But not the elusive $100 bill yet.
What I didn't eat or drink, and didn't die sites on a shelf for everyone to enjoy

Oh, and if someone really wanted to show their appreciation (dont know why, they get what they pay for), but if they do, I have a little errand in town that I recommend they do in my name.

These days, they'd rather have cash.

The business owners who would rather have cash I don't bother with. They provided a service. I paid for the service. Now, if they touch me, then I want to return that gesture, and those touched most by money aren't my type. Service staff get the tip and the gift. There is an establishment in my favorite tourist destination with a letter and a dried flower hanging on the wall. Doubt they would have gotten tge same sense of appreciation out of a $20 bill and hung it up.

But normally this is my preferred gift: https://rangehoney.com/shop/ols/products/they-are-back-texas-armadillo-turds-dark-chocolate-raw-honey

Hi, Teri. I don’t take gifts for Airbnb host, but when I’m on a tour I usually bring a gift for my tour guide. Here’s what I do. As you know, I live in the Pacific Northwest, where there are beautiful natural sites. I take photos, have them developed in a 4 x 6 format and attach them to blank folded note cards. I make a series of 10 with envelopes. These will fit easily in a gallon Ziploc bag and not take up much room in your luggage. This way, I am showing them part of the area that I live in and love, as they have done on the tour with their environment. And, notecards are always a useful gift. If you’re still living in Colorado, you would have ample opportunity to take photos of your scenic environment as well.