Host Gifts
 

I need some advice on buying gifts for our hosts in Europe. I want to find something that is genuinely Canadian that would be appreciated by our hosts, but that isn't too big (not much room) or outrageously expensive (or perishable)

Any ideas would be appreciated!!

How 'bout some good maple syrup?

Need some clarification here -- By "hosts" do you mean a family you are staying w/ or friends you already know?? Or do you mean the owners of B&Bs, hotels, and apartments you are paying to stay at??

(If the latter - gifts are not customary at all)

I would like to get something for the people in the B & B's and hotels that have been invaluable to me to in planning my trip. Customary or not, it is something I want to do.

I'm not certain I can take Maple Syrup in my carry on luggage, but I'll look into it.

chrispet, as janisj said, gifts are not customary for B&Bs and hotels. Also be aware that maple syrup is considered an "acquired taste" by some Europeans. And no, it won't be allowed in carry-on. That all being said, you sound determined, so how about a bit of maple sugar candy? Not as strongly flavored as maple syrup, but still a classic.

We've found in our travels that a small bottle of Niagara Ice Wine is a top notch gift. Wrapped carefully and put in checked luggage it has always made the trip.

OK - sounds like your mind is set. However please re-think this. The owners are in business and have only a professional relationship w/ you (and very little of that) They do not expect (nor often want/have room for) tschochkes from their guests. This may sound harsh - but it is very likely they will think it is a bit naff.

FYI, I have had a request from one owner for a ball cap from my city, and I have had another owner find me another hotel room in a rival hotel (after my flight was changed and I arrived a day early) because he was completely booked and could only accommodate me for my originally booked nights, and I just thought it would be nice to bring them something as a thank-you.

I don't know why people have to come on here an discourage people from doing nice things.

I realize that people probably don't want trinkets, I hate them. That is why I am on here asking for suggestions.

The ice wine idea is nice, I'll see what I can get at the airport.

There was a thread about 6 months ago also from a Canadian, about gifts to bring. If I can find the link, I'll post it. The ice wine came out highly there also. You would have to put it in checked luggage, however (there are styrofoam molds you can use for wine bottles).

The previous post is "Canadians bearing gifts to UK relatives" http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34752292

chrispet, we took many small, easy to carry Canadian gifts to Japan (and received many Japanese gifts). If you're near a Bowrings Canadiana store, they have tons of stuff. Some things we took (and considered but didn't take): small hand-tooled leather pins, small 'silver' seals, maple sugar candies and cookies, collector spoons, books about Toronto/Canada, Seagull pewter items (which are Canadian and very lovely).

I agree that while it may not be customary or necessary, gift-giving is generous in spirit and I'm sure a small, appropriate gift will be accepted graciously.

Someone has already pointed out that the "hosts" are in business. Why are they in business - to make money. If someone gives good service what do you normally do
- whip out a bottle of maple syrup
- no you give them a tip.

So in conclusion, if you feel that you wish, to thank them add £10 or whatever to the bill and tell them "thank you for being so helpful" this will do 2 things.
It will let them know that you apreciate thier effort and it will assist them financially

Take some picture magazines from your area....I always take Arizona Highways and just leave it on the registration desk counter and tell them to put it in the employees' lounge.

I agree, blightly boy. When we leave or give a gift to someone who has done 'work' for us, such as a chambermaid, we leave it with the tip.

&quot;<i>I don't know why people have to come on here an discourage people from doing nice things.</i>&quot; I was not trying to discourage you from doing something &quot;nice&quot;. I was trying to help you understand the service industry culture in Europe. There is a HUGE difference between Japanese and western European expectations/culture/etiquette.

If a small hotel has 10 rooms and is open 10 months a year - there are potentially 1500 to 2000 different parties staying there over a season. If even only 1/2 of them bring host gifts you are talking about a mountain of &quot;stuff&quot;.

Now, the one host who has asked you for a cap - go ahead. That seems a special case. But gratuities are MUCH more appropriate in most situations . . . . .

OMG, Arizona Highways - just imagine a popular place which is mentioned in Rick Stein, crowds from the USA over a summer season. A magazine from each one, should keep the fire going for a while.

My last contribution to this - promise- Remember its business and whilst some hosts may be interested in the town or country that you come from, it will not to many. A german paying &pound;100 a night or a US Citizen makes little difference to the staff

It depends on the B&amp;B we stayed in ancie onein Ireland some years back. The breakfast room had lots if pictures and gifts, and even thankyou post cards, she had been given over the years. She was so pleased people made the effort to say thank you. If you had given her a tip it would not have meant half as much to her. From what we learned about heer while staying she never expected it. If some one feels they want to thank them they why not not enough of this goes on . I don't mean giving a gift to every one you stay with, but if you feel they have gone that extra mile then a little personel gift is very wlecomed.

I thought the general principle is that you don't give a tip to an owner of a business.

janisj,
I don't think chrispet is suggesting that everyone who goes to Europe should start bringing gifts for every hotel and b&amp;b owner. My understanding is that a couple of people went out of their way for chrispet and s/he wants to give them a small thank you gift.

Based on my experience of the people I've met in Europe, I'm sure it will be accepted graciously and the thought appreciated even if the gift is put away or given away. Don't we all do that with some of the gifts we receive? However, I'm sure a bottle of ice wine would be greatly appreciated and used.

And I don't get the impression from chrispet's posts that s/he is going to give gifts all over Europe instead of tips.

Chrispet was only asking for suggestions on what might be a good gift, not whether s/he should give them.

A note on gifts to all your hoss, even those who are friends and family:

Consumable gifts such as the ice wine and maple candy or local jam etc have a couple of great advantages: they don't &quot;stack up&quot; to fill lucky recipients' already crowded quarters; food and wine doesn't &quot;clash&quot; with their personal taste in decor or dress; they can be shared with family or employees; they represent your country quite specifically. I would recommend the candy: keeping the gift on the less expensive side makes it far easier to receive, and again, it's easy to share, allowing several people to enjoy both the thought and the &quot;taste&quot; of your country.

Obviously one doesn't leave a gift with every innkeeper, and service employees should definitely be remembered first in tips before any more personal gift - in fact, &quot;personal&quot; implies that we actually know the person a little before we get into gift-giving. But it is frankly an ancient custom for travelers and traders to make gifts of their national treasures: Presidents and Prime Ministers do it, so there is no real reason we shouldn't when we feel so moved.

It's an extra - extra cost, extra thought, extra effort. And it is &quot;extra-contract,&quot; meaning outside the spoken and unspoken agreement to pay on time, be a good guest, and tip appropriately. If Chrispet wants to do this for two of the the hundred or so people who will provide service on the trip, good for her. She'll probably know from the response whether it was a really good idea or not.

&quot;all your HOSTS&quot; not HOSS ... Mr Cartwright has nothing to do with this thread.

We are quite surprised at some posters remarks. There is no written rule say whether it is or is not correct to give a host a gift. If you feel comfortable with giving a gift then by all means do so. If however if you, like the majority, do not feel the need then don’t. It is the most important thing for the host that you have enjoyed your stay and that you are satisfied with the service and the establishment.

In answer to the OP’s question as to what is best to give, is really down to you. We have had a vast range of gifts given to us. For example, we live in a wine producing area and we are still given bottles of wine! All gifts are gratefully received.

Yes we are in business, but it has to be said the work is hard, at times. Being owners of a casa rural (B&amp;B), in Spain, we find the work enjoyable. We love to have guests in our house. But it has to be said the work is not going to make us a small fortune.

Thanks So Much to everyone, I have no qualms about tipping, my travel companions and I will be more than generous, we're Canadian remember ;-)

I like the idea of something consumable, but the thought that some people enjoy their trinkets is intriguing too. I am not a trinket person myself, but other people may love them.

I will use my better judgement, and some suggestions here, and be on my merry way.

Can't wait to get to Europe again. 4 more weeks!!