I have a current house sitter for a two week sit at my place in Greece while I am back in the states. I am having a medical emergency and I’m going to have to extend my trip by at least three weeks. This is after I already extended a couple of days in order to get some test done. When I contacted the sitter, she said she would take care of everything. She lives four hours away from where I do and she’s going to actually take my cat home with her until I make it back to Greece. I I am looking for any recommendations for what people think I could do for her when I get back. Of course I will pay her for expenses because obviously I didn’t leave that much food and things. But I don’t want to offend her by offering her money. But perhaps that is what people think I should do so I’m just looking for other ideas. I’m currently in the hospital and it’s such a relief to know that I don’t have to worry about my wonderful pet because I have such a wonderful pet sitter. This is what this community is all about.
Sorry to hear of your medical issues. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Your sitter is being kind, and it is nice of you to show your appreciation in some way.
How well do you know her?
Some generic ideas:
Gift certificate to local grocery store near her home
Gift certificate to restaurant or cafe near her home
Gift certificate for a weekend at a cool resort nearby
Concert tickets
If you offer money, she may not take it, so a thankyou gift basket or mini hamper is always a lovely thought. We never refuse gifts.
That is a great idea!
Imagine in Greece — some lovely olive oil, wine, coffee beans, tinned fish, a tea towel, dried beans, olives, special spice mix, honey, a package of cookies, tinned tomatoes.
I would love this!
I think most of us might refuse money. But, another vote for the gift certificate idea. I used to think they weren’t very personal, but now I think it can be a better choice than “stuff” that people might not have room for, or, it lets them choose their own “stuff”.
If you’re communicating with her over this extended period you may get a little idea about what she’s interested in, hobbies, etc. If she likes reading, perhaps there’s a local bookstore that does gift certificates. Ditto for crafts, or cooking, or gardening, or other hobbies. Or maybe a somewhat posh restaurant that she wouldn’t normally go to. Similar to the resort idea, maybe festival passes, or what about some cool experience like a boat excursion, or a helicopter tour, or …?
It’s great that she was willing to help you out and take kitty home with her for a while. I hope you are feeling much better and able to travel home soon.
Hope your health improves soon.
I am not a fan of tipping sitters with money but in this circumstance I think payment might be appropriate.
What your kind sitter is doing is basically boarding your cat with no exchange of accommodation. I would offer to pay for this service, although they may decline the offer. I would also gift the hamper as suggested by previous responses.
Edit - I am a sitter
I like the gift certificate or hamper ideas. More personal than money, which is like treating someone as a server in a restaurant or porter in a hotel. No thank you!