So, here’s a related question - I sometimes avoid mentioning the specifics of a host’s gift in my reviews because I don’t want to lock them into providing the same gifts for their sitters now and forever. That is, I wouldn’t want the next sitter to expect anything specific if the host couldn’t manage it that time or their circumstances change, etc.
Instead, I talk about how how generous they are and how well they took care of me. I might even mention how nice it was to get a gift bag on arrival but might not mention exactly what was in it. But I don’t want to say something like, “WOW, they left me a $50 gift card for gas!!” just in case the hosts don’t feel like leaving a $50 gift card next time. Does that make sense?
That’s very considerate of you. I leave treats for my sitters . If they mentioned specifically what they got I feel future sitters could be miffed if they didn’t get the same ., It’s great that you acknowledge it in your review generally by saying your host was generous .
I did a pet sit for a lady with a large parrot and I had found a plate with the bird on it, I left that with some caramels from my home town and of course a note. On my other sits, I print off a picture of their town I have found from an artist on etsy and leave a thank you note on it. Nothing major, but just to know I appreciate them opening up their home to me and trusting me with their pet.
I make the [point as I did earlier that this is a community chat with many participants not actually using their listed live profile monikers and references to partrcular sits and sitters and home owners are supposed to be anonymous Eg I was tickled at the gift my homeowner chose to leave for me and wanted to sing her praises and share it with others via this forum and have done so quite anonymously and respected her privacy in doing so
I leave wine, beer, bread, butter, jam, milk and eggs. I think it’s appreciated. One sitter broke a mug and said not to replace it but they replaced it with a beautiful mug and filled it with chocolates.
Completely agree with @Maggie8K…if you want to, do it. I do not think doing it expecting something in return is the move.
As HS, If we see something we think a host will like, we will often pick something up as a thank you gift, e.g. a bottle of wine from our home country they may not have tried before when we learned their holiday was a birthday trip to wine country. It’s also always appreciated when they’ve put thoughtful touches in, even something like making sure there’s enough food for us to get through the first day before we have time to shop, or taking us on a supply run.
As an HO, I’m more than happy just to come back to a happy dog and a clean house…One of our sitters prepped a dinner for us and offered to walk our dog the evening we got back after having travelled for nearly 20 hours…As an “acts of service” person, this was so incredibly appreciated, but not expected!
We also usually invite our HS to dine with us during the orientation period at the start of our sits and help them get whatever supplies they may need.
I actually started this thread becuase I was particularly touched by a cute quirky gesture a homeowner made in leaving me some really cute pet sitter friendly accessories and was moved to ask about other treats and surprises sitters have received ? I have loved reading about some of the really cool gestures and generous gifts homeowners have left for their sitters I think my favourite was reading about the cat who made a restaurant reservation for his sitters during their sit a very cool and thoughtful gesture from a cool cat indeed Love it
I also agree with the admin person who suggested a similar thread about sitters going over and above …Its really nice and warms the cockles to read about both parties extending themselves to treat sitters and homeowners in a warm and personalized and caring way with thoughtful kindly gestures and I always think if you feel inspired to do something really nice for someone you think they will like then knock yourself out .and dont hold back …Perhaps the debate about whether or not HOs and Sitters should leave gifts or feel obliged to leave gifts has been done in many other threads already and is actually a topic for another thread
