<p>I have a girlfriend who lives outside of Boston. I was going to visit her soon for a weekend (we finally took some time off from work) and stay at a hotel. She, knowing how tight money is for me, asked her parents if I could stay in their guest bedroom. They said that would be fine. I never met them before but said okay, it would make some things easier.
I feel I should get them something (she doesn’t) but I don’t know what. I’ll be having at least 2 meals there.
Any ideas?</p>
<p>A bottle of wine is always nice. Likewise for a flower arrangment. </p>
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<p>Maybe you can pick up some flowers when you are there. It’s hard when you don’t know them well and not getting any hints from their daughter, but certain things are always good. I know manners have relaxed in the last decade or so, but I feel they never should be forgotten and are appreciated. Also, make sure to leave the guest bedroom neat and of course offer to help with cleaning up (I’m sure they’ll say no, but ask anyway)</p>
<p>Classic Silver picture frame</p>
<p>Flowers. Can be ordered ahead online to arrive the same day you do. One good, reasonably priced source is proflowers.</p>
<p>Does the girlfriend live with her parents, and will be there while you are a guest?
Are you a recent grad/young adult?</p>
<p>I ask because my graduated kids live with us and their out of area friends are always welcome. We do not expect gifts but are delighted with offers to help prepare or cleanup after a meal. Some friends will bring wine or flowers. They are appreciated but not expected.</p>
<p>Same with us. Our kids were in college and we welcomed their friends to stay with us. We did not expect a gift, but many brought things that were from their place of residence (something that is native to their home state…e.g. Maple syrup from a new england state). Most just wrote us a nice thank you note when they got home and that was just fine. We were happy to host them as visitors of our kiddos.</p>
<p>Flowers are a thoughtful gift, HOWEVER, I am an asthmatic and can not keep the flowers in the house. People tend to feel guilty for bringing a gift you can’t appreciate. Check with your girlfriend to make sure there are no allergy issues.</p>
<p>I will ask about that, re the flowers. I am a senior in college (as my girlfriend is) and using my summer earnings toward my tuition. My girlfriend is more comfortable and had grandparents pay for her first 2 years. They are understanding about my situation but I don’t want to seem rude and as I mentioned, except for a brief hello a year ago on campus, never really had an extended conversation before.
My GF lives home and they have 1 younger child and one away at school.</p>
<p>Does your family have a favorite/traditional dish or baked good that you could make and bring?
How about stopping at a local Farmer’s Market and bring some seasonal fruit, jam or artisan bread to share at breakfast?</p>
<p>Not that would be easy to bring, I’m going on the train. But jam/bread might work or a smaller item.</p>
<p>I like to take something that is from my area, a wine, jam, honey, nuts etc. that are from a local grower or winery.</p>
<p>A book you’ve enjoyed or about a place of interest near your home would be less expensive than flowers and easier to pack than food items.</p>
<p>My niece always brings us a small amount of tea from some specialty tea store. We love it because it takes us a bit out of our comfort zone and forces us to try something new! (just be careful if you are only doing a carry on as it may look suspicious)</p>
<p>Recently, my daughter had 3 girlfriends stay over at our house. One friend brought a box chocolate from Boston. I don’t like chocolate, but I really appreciated the thought. On the other hand, my daughter’s boyfriend, who has been over our house many times, has never brought anything. I like the BF, but it bugs me, what can I say. A few times when our kids have stayed over friend’s house (not sleep overs), I have always made sure they brought over something. </p>
<p>Gift ideas - chocolate, plant (orchid), flowers, scarf (I received a beautiful one from D1’s UK friend), special candy/jam/syrup from hometown, wine/port or a special alcohol for dad (if he drinks). My husband(then boyfriend) smuggled a bottle of MouTai from mainland China when he was studying abroad for my dad. It was a huge hit with my dad.</p>
<p>The point is it doesn’t have to be expensive, but I don’t believe in showing up at people’s house empty handed.</p>
<p>I just remembered she said a long time ago, her parents were kosher in their home. So that leaves out food (except fruit) but other ideas are fine. If it was part of her diet at school, I would have remembered sooner. My parents never thought sleepovers needed a gift but if a lot of kids were coming over a friends house, she would have me bring chips or soda, the parents seemed to appreciate it.</p>
<p>My kids didn’t bring over stuff for sleepovers either, because we also hosted many. It’s only with our college daughter when she visited out of town friends. When she visited her friend in UK, she brought something for both parents. </p>
<p>In your case, I think flowers/plant or a bottle of kosher wine(if they drink) would be appropriate.</p>
<p>I think what’s more important is for you to help with dishes or just spend a bit of time with the parents while you are there.</p>