My husband and I are renewing our vows in Scotland next week. I would love to bring a gift from Florida for each of the vendors s a thank you, but I’m at a loss as to what would be a great gift that will be ok in traveling in my suitcase. Thank you!

Welcome to Fodors. Not sure vendors would expect nor possibly want tchotchkes from the States. A nice tip if they perform above and beyond would be appreciated (even that really isn't necessary in many cases)

I would give them a jar of avocado honey from Robert is Here.

Thank you! The coordinator at the venue recommended chocolates or flowers. She told me that tips aren’t customary. That’s why I was trying to think of something a little more personal. But maybe I’ll just stick with a nice thank you note and possibly a tip.

American tipping culture (especially the extreme over-tipping) isn't popular in the UK. I do not tip anywhere near the amounts expected in the States - but I do tip when someone has provided exceptional service. I personally would not take gifts. That could be considered pretty naff. Plus its hard to select appropriate gifts for people one doesn't know. Food items - there could be allergies or cultural issues. Wine/Bourbon/etc - again, cultural and dietary issues. These people could have hundreds of clients/customers every year - if a lot of them brought gifts . . . you can see the possible problems.

For employees, a note to the owner/management would be greatly appreciated.

I agree 100% with Janisj. Tipping is not necessary, but if you must then give them money, not food. Do people give you food in the US for good service? That is really odd. But then I don't know anyone who has renewed their vows either so who knows.

A compliment to the management naming the employee is more than enough. Tipping, well sometimes but kind of unattractive in this culture.

The OP did not state that this was a tip. It is a thank you gift, which is always a thoughtful gesture. Like all such gestures, completely unnecessary.

But it is a sort of tip - these are people providing a service, as part of their job, and presumably being paid for doing so by OP, not people hosting them out of the goodness of their hearts. It would never occur to most Europeans to provide a gift or tip in such circumstances.

While I don't want to get into another needless tipping debate, why would a "thank you" gift (either tangible or monetary) even be warranted when a service is paid for anyway? If OP had someone hosting them (unpaid) then yes, give a gift.

A tip is not a "thank you" anymore. It never actually was. I implore those to look up the history of American tipping culture.

In her second post the OP said it would be in lieu of a tip. To turn it around . . . at home do you take gifts to a banker or restaurant or florist or personal shopper? I can't believe you do (except for possibly a holiday 'tip' at Christmas). People in the UK just don't 'gift' people to thank them for doing their jobs.

The second post by the OP reads differently than you claim. "I was trying to think of something more personal." which is a direct quote.

In my line of work I have received small gifts, and I appreciate them very much. If they offered me money, though, I would decline it. I can see doing something similar for the folks who cut my hair at the local barbershop. Not in lieu of a tip, certainly. But just to come by separately, Have you never seen such cards of appreciation? Or if I visited my bank regularly, yes. Like a jar of honey... for anyone I truly appreciate and would like to show it.