# Should I leave a gift for my hosts (or guests)? **URL:** \ **Category:** 🤔 Q&As: Ask the community\ **Tags:** education\ **Created:** [March 20, 2025, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.homeexchange.com/t/should-i-leave-a-gift-for-my-hosts-or-guests/11190 "2025-03-20T11:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Melissa.HomeExchange](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/homeexchange/user_avatar/forum.homeexchange.com/melissa.homeexchange/32/9318_2.png) [@Melissa.HomeExchange](https://forum.homeexchange.com/u/Melissa.HomeExchange)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2025, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.homeexchange.com/t/should-i-leave-a-gift-for-my-hosts-or-guests/11190/1 "2025-03-20T11:46:05Z")
Another question that often comes up from people starting with house swapping: **should I leave a small gift for my hosts, or my guests?** ## House swapping is like lending your house to friends of friends It’s often said, but in house swapping, there’s no set rule. However, **it’s important to forget everything you know about renting between individuals**. Indeed, swapping your house is **a bit like lending your home to friends of friends** : you’ve had some discussions about the details beforehand, they’re no longer complete strangers by the time of the exchange, and a relationship of trust has naturally been established. So, **you want them to feel at home** and feel welcome: you’ve prepared the beds, left a little welcome note on the table, and maybe even a small house guide [☀️ Download our Home Guide template](https://forum.homeexchange.com/t/download-our-home-guide-template/11189) Sometimes, you also leave them a little welcome basket, a drink, or a pre-made meal if they arrive late – why not? ## What about a thank-you gift? When staying in someones home as a guest, **most members often leave a small thank-you gift** at the end of their stay. Some will maybe bring a small gift from their region, while others prefer to find a little souvenir whilst they are on holiday, such as a plant, chocolates, or flowers. Of course, these little gifts should remain spontaneous and are in no way mandatory. But **it’s so much more pleasant to return to your home the way you left it, and to find a little surprise as a bonus!** 🤗 Note that homemade gifts are equally appreciated: a nice drawing, a lovely thank-you letter, a handmade craft – let your creativity shine! ## Some member testimonials > “I’ve practiced both AirBnB and HE, both as a host and a guest, and I can clearly distinguish the two. I always leave a gift for my guests when I host. And I do the same when I’m a guest. I don’t do this with AirBnB, neither as a host nor as a traveller.” – Stéphane > “I always do it. It’s a sign of attention and gratitude. A small basket of local products. That’s the HomeExchange spirit.” – Pénélope > “I always leave something with my hosts as well as for my guests, and so far, I’ve always had lovely surprises upon my return.” – Sophie > “I’ve been a member of HE for 1.5 years, and we always leave something whether we’re guests or hosts. I think this practice is really nice.” – Emeline > “For me, the gift is finding the house in good condition, a thank-you note, and a good review.” – Gisèle > “I always arrive with a gift for my hosts, and I always leave local products for my guests.” – Elsa ---
**Author:** ![BitchinBeachHouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@BitchinBeachHouse](https://forum.homeexchange.com/u/BitchinBeachHouse)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 12:04pm UTC](https://forum.homeexchange.com/t/should-i-leave-a-gift-for-my-hosts-or-guests/11190/2 "2025-03-24T12:04:53Z")
Yes! Or no, you do you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Melissa.HomeExchange](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/homeexchange/user_avatar/forum.homeexchange.com/melissa.homeexchange/32/9318_2.png) [@Melissa.HomeExchange](https://forum.homeexchange.com/u/Melissa.HomeExchange)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.homeexchange.com/t/should-i-leave-a-gift-for-my-hosts-or-guests/11190/3 "2025-03-24T15:38:33Z")
Welcome to the Forum! Yes it’s really up to the individual…but everyone loves a gift 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Geinvedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Geinvedy](https://forum.homeexchange.com/u/Geinvedy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.homeexchange.com/t/should-i-leave-a-gift-for-my-hosts-or-guests/11190/4 "2025-07-30T12:16:21Z")
I like to leave something small but personal. Once I brought a local [picture frame](https://www.nixplay.com/) with a postcard of our town inside—it was easy to pack and felt thoughtful without being too much. My last guests left a little jar of local honey and a note, which made my day. On HomeExchange, those small touches seem to go a long way.