DS has now gone home twice now w/ a college friend for fall break and Thanksgiving. I told DS to pay for gas, pay for a pizza night, etc. and, of course, be an exceptional guest.
He did pay for a movie night, and told me he behaved himself, but he spent the entire Thanksgiving break at his friends house, that is a lot longer than expected.
I am sending the family a Xmas card with a thank you letter, but would also like to do something more. What do other parents suggest in situations like this? I don’t know the family at all, never met them.
I have been that host a couple of times. I consider it a privilege and a joy to host classmates of my child. It gives me a window into her world in a way I don’t get from just talking to her, kind of like driving your kid’s friends around when they are younger.
Most guests have arrived with something like a box of chocolates which is of course appreciated. I think a card with a thank you letter is a lovely idea but it would be even better coming from your son than from you.
When my child is hosted, she or he brings flowers, wine, candy, dessert or whatever they think will be appreciated. I’m hoping they follow up with a heartfelt thank you note but am not sure whether they do.
I think a card from the parents is very nice, with an offer to host the other student should he ever be in your area. It would also be nice to send something from your area - bottle of wine, cheese box, a craft.
Agree that it is not required, but it is always very nice to receive a thank you in the mail.
Hand-written thank-you note after the visit from the student is the best. Of course, they shouldn’t arrive empty-handed. I would hope the friend would help them pick something he/she knows the parent would enjoy.
I love having my D bring friends home over the holidays. Absolutely no “thank you” gift is required, but her friend’s parents have sent us popcorn and sweets as a thank you gift, both arriving while their D is at our house.
I agree, thank you notes would be classy and perhaps sending an edible treat from your local region, something from a local purveyor which they would not get where they are. (So, you could buy maple syrup at Costco, but maybe you live near a local guy who does some, etc.)
I have hosted friends of my kids for Thanksgiving weekend. Most bring a small gift but I never expect anything (as many students are on tight budgets). If you send a holiday card and thank you I’m sure that would be appreciated. I would say, however, that if you ever go to campus to visit your S that you should invite that friend out to lunch/dinner with you.
My d’s college friend stayed with us numerous times during college. She brought me back a canvas painting when she studied abroad. I was touched by her thoughtfulness while she travelled and the pic still makes me smile.
I agree that a note is nice with an offer of reciprocity. If you make anything for Christmas (realizing that this is sort of old-fashioned ) like jam, peanut brittle, honey, etc., that would be lovely and personal. Otherwise, something you can “eat or burn” would be a nice token. From your local area is best.
My kid went to school on the opposite coast and spent the full,thanksgiving week four times, and spring break two times with a relative. Sometimes she had a friend with her.
We sent a big Omaha Steak package each time she was there for the week. Figured we should contribute to the food!
I would never expect my kids’ college friends to reciprocate by buying a meal or anything remotely expensive. A small gift is lovely and thoughtful and imo not strictly necessary, although on the flip side I would not want my kid to go somewhere empty-handed. Agree with @mom23travelers that I have always viewed it as a privilege to host school friends of my Ds. I don’t think you as parents need to send a gift.