Gift from a Guest!

[Larry339]

We recently received a lovely gift of Chinese art from a guest.

Our hosting experience so far has been a stream of great guests, leaving excellent reviews and five-star ratings, but this is our first gift. It was so unexpected that I wanted to share and wonder how common this is in the Airbnb hosting world? What is the best gift you have received?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

Two guests have left us presents in the last 6 months. One an excellent book of wildflowers, another a pair of mugs from Canada. They both brightened up our day.

[Larry339]

It is amazing how little things especially unexpected pleasures can change our day.

[Helen350]

@Larry339 It's very much a Chinese 'thing', giving a present to your host..... I know this from my ethnically Chinese ex-husband & his family. Tho' most of my Chinese guests have not brought gifts (they were mainly students & UK residents.) The last Chinese visitors from China brought some Chinese spiced, dried meat - a bit like jerky.

I've received about 3 bunches of flowers, a little miniature bottle of a Czech liqueur, a walking map of our local area, & a kiwi shaped kitchen trivet from some NZ guests. I joked to another guest that the NZ guests did not give good star ratings. My guest joked "They wanted to give you a daily reminder of how dissatisfied they were!" 3 guests gave me £10 tips - 50% of my nightly rate. The dog has had more presents than me!

The best present was from my last guest, 3 nights ago, a classical pianist, who gave me 2 tickets to his concert. I was going to buy a ticket anyway, so I saved a bunch, & was able to invite a friend who would not have been able to afford her own. Wonderful!

[Larry339]

@Helen350 I did not realize it was a 'Chinese thing' what a wonderful custom. You have been blessed with your gifts and it reflects well on your hosting! 

[Kim87]

Chinese, japanese and Koreans guests gave us small gifts, it's a cultural thing.

I've had artists who were in town for a comicon leaving me drawings ❤️

One of my favorite gift was a hand crafted key holder. It's still sitting in the entrance room of the apartment we rent.

[Larry339]

@Kim87 You have to love those cultural things, and your gifts sound lovely. I guess its time to set out the welcome matt to our Asian guests.

[Eileen0]

I'm sure when Airbnb first started, they recommended that guests bring their hosts a small gift from their home town. In those years, I received all sorts of little gifts - the foodie ones were most appreciated.  Airbnb seems to have stopped that now.  Of course I love getting gifts, but I don't want my guests to feel they need to bring me anything

[Larry339]

@Eileen0 you are so right but if they want to its a wonderful gesture.

[Mark116]

That's interesting, we've hosted a lot of Asians--Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, as well as Asian Americans, and none of them ever brought a gift.  We have received gifts from Europeans, Indians and South Americans and New Zealanders.  When we started probably about 15% or so of our guests would bring a host gift, but we probably got maybe 1 gift last year, so it seems like it is tapering off as airbnb becomes more hotel lite. 

[Larry339]

@Mark116 just when I thought I had it figured out more information makes it more interesting. You are so right id does not seem to be very widespread based on our experience and other host's comments.

[Michelle53]

I received a pretty beaded necklace with matching earrings from Chinese guests, and also a nice set of decorative chopsticks.    I've had nice notes left, and one time a set of sports-team-themed towels that guests didn't want to pack and take home. 

[Larry339]

@Michelle53 it is interesting how the little things are so appreciated and remembered as hosts and in life.

[Samantha557]

I just received my first gift from my last guest. He left a $20 tip and a book he had written. I gave the $20 to my cleaner as he had scrubbed the apartment extra before this guest arrived because the previous guest was so messy. So thoughtful!

[Larry339]

@Samantha557 Its the little thoughtful things that can change our mood for the day. It was very kind of you to give the $20 to your cleaner. I am sure it would be appreciated.