Taking gifts when staying with friends

The Moulton Brown handsoap is a lovely commercial present. Also a homemade cake in a pretty tin is a personal touch.

The thought of anybody staying as long as 8 days fills me with horror. I always accept the wisdom that guests like fish go off after 3 (or maybe 4) days.
I would appreciate being taken out for a couple of meals, as hosting for any length of time involves more a lot cooking than when you’re on your own and of course shopping - and that can be expensive as you rarely give guests an easy scrambled egg on toast meal like you might make for yourself. Breakfast too- becomes a proper sit down meal instead of a cup of coffee on the hoof.
However, considerate guests especially if they are staying more than a couple of days, will allow their hostess some breathing space by taking themselves off now and then, being self sufficient and “ self-entertaining “
My heart sinks at the sight of a box of chocolates as all my good intentions go out of the window.
A while back I had the young AC children of a German friend which I was slightly dreading as life was a bit fraught but they endeared themselves to me by saying “Tonight we cook for you” and did the whole caboodle from the shopping to the washing up. Now that was really appreciated.

Just as an aside, my husband’s brother, wife and 2 sons stayed with us for 2 weeks. We paid for everything including meals out which we did not mind. When they left they didn’t give us so much as a bar of chocolate which I thought was pretty mean. Especially because when we stayed with them for a couple of nights we paid our way and also gave them a lovely potted plant and chocs as a thank you. Some folks are just mean as muck as my Mum would have said.

Many thanks for all your suggestions. I have taken Welsh Cheese, as I live in Wales which we all enjoyed. My friend is, unfortunately a marvels baker, and her scones, and cakes are to die for. We have known each other for over 40 years and my late husband and I used to host her and hubby in Cyprus several times a year, so they are more like family I suppose. But I will certainly take all your suggestions on board. Thank you for the many interesting ideas.

I’ve encountered that too nanna8 guests who seem to think their hosts (ie us) pay for everything except on the “return” visit where we would take our hosts out for dinner or lunch or both, because you do, don’t you?

crazyH

Pippa000 - you have an open invitation to visit me 😂

You said it , Pippa000
😊😊😊😊😊

Nanna8, never heard anything so mean, to host a family for 2 weeks and not contribute is disgraceful. I would never have them again. If they had been to a hotel it would have cost thousands, did they ever consider all the extra work for you apart from money? If they ask again say I found it too much last time but suggest they get an air b and b and stick to it. If they get uppity do you really want such tight, mean spirited, selfish guests? I never visit without taking something and my friends the same.
Pippa you sound the perfect guest. I don’t enjoy having people to stay for more than a couple of nights though.

We have agreed with various friends to end the exchange of gifts when staying. But we always take our hosts out to dinner one night and they do the same when staying with us.