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Welcoming Your Guests with Gifts

Susan Hutchins | 4/14/2015 (updated 4/11/2023)
Updated March 2023 One way to make your guests feel special is by leaving a welcome gift for them. It doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive, but it will certainly make your guests feel welcome and create a great first impression.  A small investment can lead to return visits, excellent reviews, and friends telling friends about your hospitality!  A handwritten note welcoming your guests into your home is a nice personal touch. We have partnered with local artist Gail O’Leary, who has custom-created for us some beautiful note cards reproduced from her original works of art: Greeting Cards by Gail

Some ideas for welcome gifts

wine-01-1433827-mSweet treats - Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? With a multitude of bakeries and candy shops on the Cape and Islands, you are bound to find various sweet items that will certainly please your guests. Sure bets are the Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans, Chequessett Chocolate in Truro, Little Miss Cupcape in Hyannis, Murdick’s Fudge on the Vineyard, and Aunt Leah’s Fudge on Nantucket.   snacks-1154344-m Snacks, snacks, snacks - Vacationers will appreciate snack food that they can eat at home or take to the beach. So, fill a basket, tote, or pail with chips, pretzels, nuts, popcorn, bottled water, or juice.  Farmers Markets - If you are local, choose a few items from a local farmers market. Who wouldn’t love to be welcomed with fresh fruit, flowers, local honey, jams or jellies?  Breakfast items - Coffee, pastries, hot chocolate, and assorted teas are popular welcome gifts. Visit our friends at Nantucket Coffee Roasters, Cape Cod Coffee, Nirvana Coffee Company, or Snowy Owl.   Wine and Cheese - Choose a nice bottle of wine, and include some cheese and crackers to go with it. Not sure what wine goes with what cheese? Any number of markets can help you create a nice pairing. For local wine, try Truro Vineyards, Cape Cod Winery in Falmouth, or First Crush in Harwich.  Non-food items - Sunscreen, coupons, or gift cards to local shops or restaurants, a local guide book, or perhaps a copy of the most recent local magazine or newspaper are always a nice touch. 

Don’t forget Fido and kids

dog-biscuits-183024-mShould your vacation rental home accept pets, be sure to include some dog biscuits or a dog toy from your local pet store. For young guests, be sure to include some bubbles, puzzles, crayons and paper, or perhaps a few sand toys.  

Gift Presentation

The presentation of your welcome gift can range from simple to elaborate. You could put all the items in a basket, tote, or beach pail. Or, simply arrange the gifts neatly on the kitchen counter, dining table or in the entryway, wherever your guests will be most likely to see them upon their arrival. And don’t forget the handwritten welcome note!

Storing Gifts

If you don’t live near your rental home and are unable to be present during turnovers, you will have to rely on your cleaners or property manager to leave the gift and note for the incoming guests.    I store my gifts in a locked cabinet in the basement. The gifts are lined up in order, along with a note card with the name of the guests and their arrival date on the envelope (so there will be no mix-ups).  This process has worked well for us for 26 summers! Of course, if you are leaving gifts for the entire season, you’ll have to select something non-perishable.   Whatever you choose to welcome your guests with, it will most certainly be appreciated and make a positive and lasting impression. Read our other related blog posts:  
About Susan Hutchins

About Susan Hutchins: I joined the WeNeedaVacation team in 2012 and write website and blog content as well as promote WeNeedaVacation.com through social media. Having grown up spending summers on Nantucket, I have a strong connection to Cape Cod and the Islands. I now live in New Hampshire with my husband, two children, and golden retriever, and we are frequent visitors to the Cape. I love running local road races, the Brewster in Bloom 5K being a favorite. My family enjoys biking on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, hiking in Nickerson State Park, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches (usually a dog friendly one!).

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