My daughter & her college friends are staying with one of the girl’s parents at their beach house for close to a week. The parents are providing most of the meals along with opening up their house to the girls. It is quite generous of them. Should I send a gift basket, flowers? Of course, my daughter will offer to pitch in for groceries etc.
My sister in law did this with my daughter and two friends. We sent a Omaha Steaks package that had enough meat to feed them all for at least a few days. I think it was on sale for about $80.
Both of our kids went to college less than two hours from home and would bring friends home for long weekends or spring break. We thoroughly enjoyed these visits and meeting their new friends. Sometimes we’d get gifts from their parents, but it certainly wasn’t expected. We did appreciate thank you notes after the visit, so make sure your D gets an address and sends a heartfelt note.
Agree about the handwritten note from your daughter post visit. I would probably have her bring something like a locally made product. Since your daughter is in college, it should come from her as a young adult, in my opinion. Another idea would be for your daughter and her friends to buy groceries and prepare a meal for their hosts while there. My daughter loves to cook and would probably do something like that.
I think it would be a great surprise for you to send a box of foodor restaurant gift cards for the area., or even send the parents a ‘get out date night’ for them to go to the movies and a restaurant.
Looking at Harry & David for a gift basket … Hmmm
I’d be sure my child had enough money to treat one meal out, breakfast or lunch, for the group and then send a thank-you note. Or bring something with her, a fruit basket or homemade baked goods, to share for the week.
I would have your D take a gift for the hosts. Personally, I wouldn’t send food for meals because if the friend’s mom is anything like me, I’d already have the meals planned and the food purchased. Dessert or fruit, flowers, all good ideas, though. Or some small gift for the house. We’ve done this often through the years with the friends of our 5 Ds and I’ve received some nice small kitchen gifts, e.g., pretty dish towels, set of candles, a nice set of wooden spoons, etc. We always loved hosting these gatherings and I’m sure your D will have a wonderful time!
Good point. I would most definitely have already thought out the meals if I was hosting a crew.
Well…after the crew leaves…the family needs to eat, right? That’s why we sent food.
All of the other suggestions are good too.
I don’t think it matters what you do…as long as a nice note is part of it.
@alwaysamom, I have never thought of a nice set of wooden spoons, but I love that idea!
Will the parents actually be there? These are college girls so they may be staying alone.
Your D should bring a hostess gift. It would be nice if the girls got together and took the hosts out to dinner one night. Other than that, a thank you note is all that is needed.
If you want to send them something, I’d make sure it wasn’t too perishable. The Omaha steaks sound like a good idea. Unless their freezer is already full! 
Yep, the parents will actually be at the beach house along with siblings. It is sort of a family vacation with invited friends.
In addition I’d tell my kid to be neat, cooperative, rise and go to bed at the hours of the house, hang up her towels and make her bed, and help to clean up after meals and offer to help prepare them. Some people can’t stand others in their kitchen, though!
Well, now I’m thinking “beach house”. Maybe something small with a nautical motif…paper hand towels or a “seashore” candle…
We’ve got a summer place in a great resort area and our kids often invited high school or college friends to visit. Even now that they’re out of college, they’ll invite friends. What I most appreciate is guests who’ll pitch in and ask if they can help out in some way. I also think it’s great to send a thank-you note, either a written note or an email. I really don’t need a hostess gift–it’s nice, but not necessary. Also, I think it should come from the kid, not from a parent. In the eight years that we’ve had our place, I’ve only had one gift come from an invitee’s parent. It was a huge vat of flavored popcorn. Usually, the guests bring the gifts themselves.
Unfortunately the location of my daughter’s university provides very little access to retail stores. She could purchase something from the campus bookstore but the parents have all the university labeled items they,can possibly need. Please keep the ideas coming.
As someone who ALWAYS brings something when we are invited or our kids are invited to brunch/dinner whatever: yes.
I am with bevills: never go anywhere empty-handed (within reason).
Do you have time to have something shipped to your daughter so that she can bring it with her?
What part of the country is this? I am asking b/c if it is Vineyard/Cape/Nantucket, I have much better ideas than if the south, although hopefully these ideas would be useful anywhere there is a beach.
I believe that no one can have too many platters, serving pieces, or small bowls/trays. I also liked the idea someone mentioned of wooden serving spoons. I received wood salad servers years ago and love and use them still. Non-breakable items best for beach house, but does not need to be plastic.
Do you live in an area with local craftspeople so that you could send something associated with your D’s home area? If not, here are a few suggestions.
The next two can be a little glitzy, but fun pieces that no one buys for herself.
http://www.juliaknightcollection.com
Amazon sometimes discounts Julia Knight but you have to hunt.
I don’t love anything on this Jonathon Adler page, but something for outdoor dining or serving–from another store.
http://www.jonathanadler.com/dining-and-entertaining/outdoor-dining
In season, the Williams-Sonoma has nice outdoor serving pieces.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/nito-rectangular-tray/?pkey=e%7Cnito%7C48%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C9&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet--NoFacet--NoMerchRules