I am sure these aren’t the last dates we will be away 
Lovely little ones and lovely home in a great country to visit. Although we are in Europe from May-September, we are not available during your sit request. We will definitely check back once we are overseas, to see if you’ve listed anything further. After 40+ years away from living in Germany, it would be really nice to spend a little time back in the country. I’m sure you will find some great sitters to care for your little ones.
I have received 2 applications already for the sit in July/August but we certainly are going to be away in the future. So far nothing is planned yet but I think you have saved my listing so you will be notified as soon as new dates pop up.
If I will be staying wit HO the night before their departure and most of the time they offer dinner. I bring wine or dessert and my hands are not empty.
Hi everyone, I’ve joigned this community last summer after having dogs for almost 2 decades and have now completed 5 sits.
When it comes to gifts, I initially thought that it was natural for both sides to offer a little something as a small token of each other’s gratitude, especially as it doesn’t have to be expensive and it’s always appreciated, but I’ve learned that’s it’s not… as not all HO’s thought about offering me a gift.
My mother and I tend to be generous in general so I’ve always left gifts for HO’s (except one that wasn’t super welcoming) from a price range that goes from 10 € to “I don’t wan’t to count” (we were way too generous one time in particular!!).
So far I’ve offered at the end of sittings:
- a candle in a stone jar + a wood thank you card for my first HO’s + a homemade salad;
- an orchid + a dog bowl + a bottle of wine + mugs and treats for their kids + a typical meal from my native country that my mom has cooked all afternoon which apparently “have lasted three days” + at my arrival pastries from a bakery in Paris that’s well known for doing the best refined pastries from my native country;
- a huge plant and a mouse (for the cat) as a Christmas present;
- a huge rose bouquet + at my arrival a box of chocolate for the husband who was recovering in his native country (almost forgot to take it while leaving lol).
I also always leave the home sparkling clean, often cleaner than I 've found it with washed sheets and towels, and have even done a deep cleaning and organized the kitchen of a HO, which they didn’t always mentioned in their reviews… but I guess it’s another topic.
Despite the HO’s always seemed really happy receiving my thoughtful and beautiful gifts, None (!) has mentioned them in their reviews except the one who has written “treats”… It really saddened that they didn’t even bother writting it in their reviews while so many does… and I’d love to hear your thoughts about that.
I’m now considering to not offer anything, despite of course the outstanting care for their pets and homes, even though it’s pretty hard for me not to do so.
You are extremely generous!! I’ve done 4 sits so far, and always left a gift, but something much smaller than you. I usually leave a toy for the animal and an animal-themed useful item for the humans. My favorite choices are a reusable shopping bag or dish towels. Most people can use these.
There are other posts about gifts, and often people leave meals or photos of the animals. I would appreciate a meal, but would prefer not a photo or other ornamental items. I have very few “trinkets”, and don’t like clutter. Flowers or candles would be lovely, but some people are allergic.
As a HO, I always leave a little something for the sitters who arrive at my house. Sometimes it is difficult without knowing anything about their tastes. As a sitter, I’ve received something at just one of my 4 sits so far. If I got something elaborate, I would feel obliged to be equally generous on leaving and wouldn’t want that pressure!
Like you we have left similar thoughtful gifts and prepared meals and left a sparkling clean home at the end of a sit because that is what we want to do as a token of our appreciation and because it makes the HO smile on their return, so in turn makes us feel happy.
However, we do not do this with the expectation of having them mention this in their reviews. Some have mentioned, others haven’t. This really isn’t important, what is important is in their review of us, how the pets have been looked after and how the home has been respected during the HO’s absence.
We do the same, for the same reasons. We have no expectation, but enjoy making a kind and thoughtful gesture.
Good point.
Thank you Lassie, when it comes to gifts it’s not always obvious to find the right balance or the right one as like you said we don’t particularly know about their tastes.
For future sits I am going to try to offer something for the pets. The last sit I did it wasn’t necessary as these two were spoiled 
If I have time to shop during a sit I think this is what I am going to try to do as if bought prior the sitting I wouldn’t know for sure that the pet doesn’t already have the item.
As a sitter I’ve received gifts at 3 sits out of 5 and it’s always a kind gesture that I appreciate very much 
Yes i did that as my daughter drew a beautiful pic of the pets in my note of “thanks”. I left a bag of chocolate. I feel happy because they left me a bottle of wine.
Thank you for your kind and detailed point of view. This is something I thought about, just wasn’t sure if it was because of that reason or because they didn’t consider my gifts to be good enough to be mentionned.
But this might be cultural, the same way as I wouldn’t as a future HO welcome a sitter with empty hands. Thanks to you I will now think about not mentioning a gift made by the HO’s as well in order to not put any pressure on them while receiving future sitters
I certainly do not offer a gift with the machiavellian purpose of a HO mentioning it in their reviews, and obviously do it because I am happy to do so . If it was the case I would have stopped offering gifts after the first sit
The same way I do not make sure that their home is sparkling clean with the expectation of having them mentioning it. The last two didn’t and I can assure you their homes were way cleaner than at my arrival. So yes it can be saddening when not mentionned even if they gave me 5 stars for cleanliness and tidying. If they didn’t mentionned how well I cared after the pets, this would definitely be an issue but fortunately this has never happened to me
For a great sit, house, area , why not.
Yes @meow . I’ve realized this too, but I don’t mind my HO mentioning any and everything I do, I’d be pleased if they did, because I do these things for everyone.
I’m not sure everyone wants their house ‘way cleaner’ than they left it, perhaps this makes them feel their home, that they are very happy in isn’t ‘good enough’!
Hi Jackie, when I am saying “way cleaner” I am refering to dirty houses like I’ve mentionned in this post: Dirty houses - #54 by Alohana.
It’s actually a kind and generous gesture to clean for free, especially at arrival. Even though some people can be offended and even ungrateful, I am never going to be apologetic because I couldn’t live in dirt myself. It’s normally the HO’s duty to make sure that their home is clean under normal standards prior receiving a sitter!
Just a reminder:
Owner Cleanliness Checklist | TrustedHousesitters.com : all of our members are expected to provide good levels of cleanliness
Sitter Cleanliness Checklist | TrustedHousesitters.com : all of our members are expected to maintain tip-top levels of cleanliness while on a sit, and the owners you’re sitting for will appreciate the extra care and attention you’ve made to ensure they return to […] a clean, tidy home.
I love the ideas and sentiments I’ve seen in this thread, so much originality and thought. I typically leave a thank you card, and lately I’ve been creating little desk calendars with photos of the pet. I get them printed at a local walgreens and leave them for the HO. As a photographer i love doing that. Sometimes I leave flowers as well. I think it’s important to show gratitude in your own unique way as well as acknowledging your worth too. I recently had an HO leave me a very generous gift which made me feel appreciated even though I didn’t expect it. These days extending kindness and gratitude is even more needed. In addition I create funny photos of the pets with an app and either print them out or send them in texts as a form of communication with the parents.
I leave a bouquet of flowers or plant with a thank you card. Sometimes if the owners have a special need for their pet, I will leave a set of pooper scoopers or a nice dog rake for their pets hair. That’s all I feel I need to do as cleaning the house over and above the way it was left should be payment enough. I’m newer at this, but think preparing meals, etc is over the top when you are trying to leave the house clean. A lot of work without the extra cooking. Just my thoughts. I’m sure the customs are quite different in England and Europe.
As an author, I have left one of my books for the Owner. I have considered making food (apple crisps are one of my favorites) but people have such dissimilar reaction to food, I shy away from preparing and leaving food.