Name: 10 Gifts to Pack for Your Host or Hostess (plus how to avoid packing them at all)
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10 Gifts to Pack for Your Host or Hostess (plus how to avoid packing them at all)

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Make packing light easy. Join the ultralight packing class waitlist.When I travel and stay at someone’s home, I always try to pack a gift to thank them for playing host.Whether they’re providing me with a place to sleep, cooking me meals, showing me around town, or maybe even picking me up from the airport, I want to thank them for their generosity!If you’re traveling this year (and I hope you are!), consider adding one of the gift ideas below to your packing list. Your hosts will be grateful.Carry-on FriendlyWho doesn’t love chocolate?! Okay, I know not everyone is a chocoholic like me, but it’s one of the safer gifts to give!Select from a local shop if possible, and opt for simple flavors if you don’t know your host. Go for something a little more unique if you know their preferences!Carry-on FriendlyI always bring US candy for my London friends when they host me. A few in particular LOVE when I bring peanut butter M&amp;Ms as they are not readily available in England.Checked Luggage OnlyI’m fortunate to live in a wine-producing state, and my hometown is surrounded by wineries. If you don’t have local wines to select from, choose your favorite. If you know your host well, pack theirs.Wrap wine bottles well with clothing or purchase a bubble wrap bag that’s large enough for the bottle.Tip: Be sure that your host drinks alcohol, whether it’s a cultural, religious, or personal decision, before selecting this gift.Carry-on or Checked Bag OptionsAussies might share Vegemite. I bring Oreos to my London friends as they are more expensive in England.Carry-on or Checked Bag OptionsI often visit the “Virginia Shop” in town before going on a trip for clothing, food, or souvenirs from my state.One of the bookstores in town has an entire section dedicated to my state’s history, culture, cuisine, etc. Select from cookbooks with local recipes or small photography books.Carry-on FriendlyIf you live in a college town, consider a t-shirt with the university’s seal, name, or sports logo. If you’re a sports fan, look for shirts, hoodies, scarves or baseball caps with your team’s name, logo, and mascot.Carry-on FriendlyPostcards, key chains, or pens featuring local landmarks are easy to pack and a great option if you’re packing gifts for multiple hosts.Carry-on or Checked Bag OptionsSoaps, candles, small jewelry or decorative boxes, tea towels, and coffee mugs are all thoughtful gifts for your host or hostess.Carry-on FriendlyWhen possible, choose ones that represent animals not found in your host’s home country. One of my sisters brought back 3-4inch koalas to give to her co-workers after her trip to Australia.Carry-on or Checked Bag OptionsAre there items that represent your local or national culture? Whether it’s an item that can be worn, displayed, or consumed, your host will appreciate a unique gift.The people that offer you a ride to and from the airport, give you extra spending money for the trip, or cover some of your responsibilities at work will all be thankful that you thought of them during your travels.If you’re traveling carry-on only, you may want to give your host a gift that you aren’t able to pack. Instead of giving up your carry-on-only plans, try one of these ideas:This may work best if you know your host well. Unless you plan on announcing to your host that you’ve sent them a gift before you leave, someone who hasn’t met you before may wonder if the item is for them or may be nervous about receiving an unexpected package from an unfamiliar address.This may work best if you haven’t already scheduled a time for someone to pick you up as you wouldn’t want to miss your ride or make your host wait.You’ll also need to consider that some airports don’t have shops for arrivals.It’ll be best to notify your host that something is on its way so there is no confusion when a package arrives that they didn’t order.This is the easiest option if you aren’t packing a gift. This option also may allow you to find out more of what your host likes. If you’re shopping together and they comment on their favorite chocolate, then you know what to get them!This option is for those who draw/knit/etc. as part of their travels. You’ll need to think carefully about what’s feasible to accomplish, but if you’ve started knitting a scarf during your flight and are able to finish it before you leave your host’s house, that could be a thoughtful present.Artists might sketch a location they visited with their host or some other meaningful interaction and leave the drawing as a memento. Poets might give their host a poem to commemorate the stay.&nbsp;What are your favorite hostess items to give or receive? Which gifts do you plan to pack this year?Add your voice &amp; leave a comment!Speakeasy Hidden Pocket ScarvesSHOP NOWSplice Reversible Jaisalmer TunicSHOP NOWEagle Creek Compression Packing CubesSHOP NOWTom Bihn 3D Organizer CubeSHOP NOWSea to Summit Ultra-Sil DaypackSHOP NOWTurkish Travel TowelsSHOP NOWSee More Gear We UseHandbag Packing Masterclass – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing class run by HPL founder, Brooke.Creative Ways to Minimize Your Toiletry &amp; Beauty Kit – Practical tips alongside DIY recipes designed to help you pack lighter, smaller &amp; with fewer liquids. (Also included as a bonus to Handbag Packing Masterclass.)Viator – Enhance your trip experience by booking from thousands of tours across the globe.Booking.com – Search for hotels, hostels, and apartments using this one resource. Use it for flights, car rentals, and airport taxis as well.Trusted Housesitters – Save money on travel accommodation by becoming a housesitter. Housesitters often have extra duties, like caring for pets and gardens.See More Travel ResourcesI like taking Jelly Bellies as a gift–not only are they a super American candy, but the factory is near my hometown! French people are always really amused at doing the Jelly Belly “recipes”–like combining different ones to make raspberry cheesecake, and so forth. Great for vocabulary building too, with all the different flavors!I gave my CS host a nice candle and I think she enjoyed it! But these are all good ideas!I seldom know what would be unique to my country (USA) before visiting someplace else. I mean, how do you find out that Jelly Bellies, Oreos, or M&amp;Ms are uncommon or expensive in another country? It seems like something one has to pick up after the fact, only to be useful on a return trip. I think bandanas are a uniquely American item, but not having extensive foreign travel experience, I could be wrong.Great ideas! I’m living with a host family for 5 months in Ecuador next year so must put my thinking cap on for what they might like.. Candles, English tea, shortbread and anything London themed all spring to mind!Thanks for all of the great ideas! My husband and I and two daughters (in their twenties) are going on a Caribbean cruise in a few weeks. I read online that it is helpful to give a small gift to your room steward to thank them for their special attention and perhaps get even better service. Since we are from Canada, I bought a Roots cap assuming that our Steward will be male! Our daughters might have a different steward and they could be female or male. should I get a unisex gift just in case or wait until we can get something on one of the islands?Next month I’m leaving for France, Germany and the Netherlands for a month. I’ll be with 6 different host family’s as I am touring with an exchange band. Any ideas for gifts?I’m traveling to Chile from Washington DC, so I bought The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown in Spanish and a photo guide book about DC so she can see all the landmarks the book mentions(it takes place in DC)! I know she’s an avid reader so I tried to tailor it to her.[…] essentials” for travel. I pack workout clothes and fitness DVDs. I’ll pick a hostess gift and a luxury item or two for myself. But only once have I packed an item for personal safety. Why […][…] Gifts to Pack for Your Host or Hostess […][…] a good guest. Bring a gift or offer to cook dinner one night. I brought my host a nice candle. Don’t treat your […]

Make packing light easy. Join the ultralight packing class waitlist.When I travel and stay at someone’s home, I always try to pack a gift to thank them for playing host.Whether they’re providing me with a place to sleep, cooking me meals, showing me around town, or maybe even picking me up from the airport, I want to thank them for their generosity!If you’re traveling this year (and I hope you are!), consider adding one of the gift ideas below to your packing list. Your hosts will be grateful.Carry-on FriendlyWho doesn’t love chocolate?! Okay, I know not everyone is a chocoholic like me,...

10 Gifts to Pack for Your Host or Hostess (plus how to avoid packing them at all)

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