My current sit has a quality broadsheet newspaper delivered very early every morning. It’s such a pleasure to return from the morning dog walk, and sit down with a coffee and the paper.
What small and surprising luxuries do you enjoy on a sit?
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I have done a few sits where some lovely bathroom products and hand cream have been put out for me. I always take my things but it is a nice surprise to get a treat. 2 weeks ago I was in Scotland and the week before the owner was having her shop delivered she asked me what I would like, that’s very thoughtful and kind.
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My current sit is a regular one. Last year, it was over Christmas and the HOs left me lots of little gifts and food to open on Christmas day, which was so kind of them. This time round, I arrived to little trinkets they brought me from Australia (where they were the last time I sat here). These thoughtful little gestures make me feel very much at home.
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Yes they do, last Christmas I was in a family home from 26th and the children had baked gingerbread star biscuits, iced them, and put them in a special tin for me. There were flowers, chocolates and wine, a log fire and a beautiful tree. Perfect
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That is so sweet and thoughtful!
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Nice surprises from various hosts:
• Some have invited me to stay for extra days before and after my sit, so I could do sightseeing without pet responsibilities.
• Host offered to take me for a grocery shop at Waitrose while I sat abroad. They didn’t know, but I love Waitrose.
• Other hosts have offered groceries, asking what I preferred to eat. Even after I declined, a pair of hosts left me a bunch of treats.
• Hosts have offered me bottles of wine at the start and end of sits.
• Some have invited me to thank-you meals after sits, knowing I was still going to be in town sightseeing before flying home.
• I don’t sit during year-end holidays, and I always sit solo and telecommute during stays, but a pair of hosts offered to let me bring my husband and father-in-law if I wanted to repeat-sit for Christmas. (They’d learned that my FIL lived a few hours from them in Florida and that he’d been recently widowed.)
• Hosts have brought me thank-you gifts from their travels. The Florida ones for instance gave me a hand-blown glass Christmas ornament. My husband and I happen to collect Christmas baubles from our travels, which my hosts didn’t know.
• During my first sit abroad, my hosts had intro’d me to neighbors / friends. Well, those folks invited me to afternoon tea out and to a cultural lecture. That was because my hosts had thoughtfully asked them, no doubt. Originally, when we’d video chatted, I had mentioned that it was a long-held day dream of mine to live in an English village, so sitting would offer me the closest experience. And I love afternoon tea.
• Another host arranged for a friend to give me a private tour of a historical site where they did volunteering, guiding tour groups. That was after checking whether I’d want that. I happen to love history.
• Hosts have offered me use of their cars, which weren’t mentioned in the listing. I’m guessing that they did that selectively, depending on how they felt about a sitter during a video chat. They also left me a folder of sights, restaurants, day trips, etc.
• Voluntarily offered to pay for a shuttle round trip to and from the airport, $80 USD. I didn’t accept, but it was a nice gesture.
• I drink tea, rather than coffee. While my last hosts were about to show me their fancy coffee maker, they learned that. Then they unexpectedly pulled out an electric kettle and a basketful of tea that they kept for guests.
• Some of my hosts also have had print newspaper subscriptions and asked whether I’d enjoy them or wanted them stopped while I was there, which I’ve found thoughtful. I don’t read print papers, though, because I have several subscriptions to digital newspapers.
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We’re on a sit with a beautiful garden at the moment, so we get to help ourselves to apples, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, herbs, among other things.
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I’ve had sits with gardens and produce, too. On one of them, I saw asparagus growing for the first time, which reminded me of the children’s story Jack and the Beanstalk. I was surprised by how tasty they were even raw, which I’d not tried before. Good thing, because I don’t cook at all and have normally had them cooked at restaurants.
On one sit, my hosts grew mint among other herbs, as well as limes. They ended up in mojitos and gin and tonics for me.
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Hi, a welcome basket full of goodies! 
When I first discovered Alexa on a previous sit, I thought that was quite the luxury. Having Alexa turn on / off lights by a voice command was quite fun. I am currently on a sit that has Alexa and giving Alexa commands—is still quite fun.
Having Alexa play songs that I have not heard in awhile, like one of my favorite songs, “Sittin on The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding" or songs that I have not heard before is such a nicety.
Having Alexa play music is great for relaxing by the pool, cleaning, doing the laundry, or like today-- having a dance with an adorable pup. 
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I’m the same! I usually shy away from this kind of technology, but there is an Alexa in the kitchen here and it is lovely to ask ‘her’ to play a particular genre of music while I’m cooking (Just added Otis Redding to my list 
). I occasionally ask her to tell me a joke or a fun fact, endless entertainment!
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I am going to add this…thank you!
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Much has already been mentioned - but paper newspaper subs, wine, gift cards for a HO’s favored restaurant, museum membership cards, movie passes. Sitting in Atlanta several years ago over NYE, an introduction to a neighbor who invited me to a NYE gathering.
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Aren’t you the lucky one!
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From reading various threads on the forum, I think a good number of us are lucky with hosts who appreciate sitters.
Personally, I don’t expect extras, though I appreciate kind hosts. I basically need good wifi, a clean and tidy home and no violations of THS terms. And I’ve accepted only one repeat, in favor of variety.
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We just arrived at a local sit today where the homeowners left us not one, but two bottles of wine 
It’s so appreciated when a homeowner leaves you a welcoming gift. We’ve also received lovely welcome baskets - on an Easter, Canada Day and Christmas sits.
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I am currently on a three weeks catsit where the 6 bedroom’s home is usually used as an Airbnb. There is nobody while I am there so the HO allowed me to invite my retired friends during my stay. Beautiful area in the peak of autumn. It’s a 4 hours drive from my house. So here come my friends… 1 or 2 at a time. 
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Wow - that sounds like an added value house sit - enjoy!
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Aww - so sweet!