Okay, we're going on vacation shortly and have arranged for a friend to stop by and check on and feed the cat for the 10 days we're gone. Our home is very close to where she works and all we're asking her to do is stop by and put some food down and make sure he hasn't gotten into everything. We really want to do something for her to say thanks for doing it but what would be a good gift/thank you? I don't want to over do it but I don't want to come off cheap either! Help!!!!
Thanks for all the great suggestions! I really liked the cookie delivery idea (I'll have to look for those..Maybe "Cookies from Home"?? But all very creative. Maybe I can find something cat-oriented as a thank you while on vacation and if not, she does have 2 dogs of her own so the PetSmart gift card is a good idea too. So thanks ladies! I knew I could count on you!
I would do it on a personal basis. What does she like? Shopping? Eating out? Movies? I would give a gift card to a place i know she loves (prob $30-$50) and that will be a fun thing for her after doing you a favor! She probalby isn't expecting anything, but it's a very nice thing to do! have a great vacation!!
My sister pet sits occasionally. Of course she loves to get cash but she is a Starbucks fanatic and prefers gift cards to Starbucks. Do you know you sitter well enough to know her/his favorite things? A gift card to a place they love is always nice! I love receiving movie tickets as thank you gifts. Depending on where you are going, a trinket from your trip might be nice, too.
If you are creative at all, you might want to make her a card "from the cats". Use handwriting and language that sounds and looks like a cat might have done it. (I try to write like a little kid- a couple letters backwards, no upper case, etc.) They are always cute!
Hope you have a great vacation!
Hello,
A gift card would be nice. Maybe to hear favorite resturant or a Starbucks card or a book store. $10 would be fair and nice unless you wanted it for a little more. When ever I cat sit for my friend she always brings me back something from where they are going. So I think anything would be fine.
When my family would go on vacation we would always get the dog sitter some souvineer from where we went. Make it something nice, that she would appreciate, not just a goofy souviner. I would base the price of what you are getting for how many days you are gone. Maybe $40-$50? Depends on your budget.
You mentioned that your house is on her way to work, so she's not having to go too far out of her way, but with gas prices these days, I know that I have cut down on ALL of my extra driving. So maybe a gift card from a gas station would be nice. Maybe you could find out how much out of her way she had to go (MapQuest her work to your house) and then give her the equivalent of 1 gallon for every 15 miles she had to drive in those 10 days. Chevron has gift cards, and I think that some others do, but I'm not sure which ones.
Treat her to a pedicure - many women don't dom ti
his for themselves. It is a great way to relax and with our
Arizona weather and wearing sandals during the summer this
is truly a great treat and gift !!! I did this for my friend
and she loved it.
I think a Gift Card to a favorite restaruant or store is a good idea. If you are crafty, making your own card to put it in is always a nice touch. Or have your 5 yr old draw a picture and turn that into a card. It's very kind of you to want to thank someone for catsitting.
Have fun on your vacation.
How about a $20 gift card to a restaurant or if she likes starbucks.
Gift certificates!! Restaurants, massages, or her favorite store.
It is a totally nice jesture to give a gift plus the sitter is not expecting anything. I received a cookie basket for dog sitting and thought it was the neatest thing the cookies were shaped like dogs and said thank you plus the they tasted good. I wish I could remember the name of the company which delived but you can look on line under cookie baskets.
Hope this helps
Figure out what she likes and give her a gift card with a basket of her favorite goodies, sweets, candies, cookies, etc. Or take her to lunch/dinner and spend time with her too.
Often, I don't think people really realize the value of a sincere handwritten note letting the person know how much they helped and how much they are really appreciated. Unfortunately, with modern technology hand written notes are somewhat going by the wayside.
take care,
K.
Does she have pets also?
Our friends who took care of our dogs while we were away received a PetSmart gift card for $20... and of course a big thank you and volunteering to do it for them anytime...
They also have 2 dogs.
atonia
I've faced this same dilemna many times. You don't want to do nothing, yet an overly-elaboate gift will look like you're paying her. You'rejust looking for a gesture. Depending on where we go, I usually pick up something on the trip - a silly t-shirt or regional food item like salt water taffy. Other times I have done a movie gift certificate (although those have gotten quite expensive these days) or invited them over for dinner as a thank you.
I would say a gift card. If she has cats, too, it could be at Pet Smart, etc. If not, a restaurant or movie. And it doesn't have to be a lot, just express some heartfelt thanks to her!
We've always done the souvenir thing, also. We've purchased hazelnut chocolates, fancy hot chocolate (at Thanksgiving), etc - we try for stuff that's not terribly expensive, but something that they wouldn't find locally. If she has any fondness for or interest in a particular thing (jewelry, collector spoons, etc.) you might try to find something along those lines. Especially since she's not having to go much out of her way to help out, you don't need to be extravagant.
Hi A.,
When we went on our vacation a couple years ago we had a teenager come by and check on our dog and feed and play with him for a little while. We payed him $5.00 per day...wasn't much but everyone loves money.
Have a great vacation!
M.
