using a friends holiday unit

[minniemouse]

a friend has offered us her family's unit to use when we go interstate for about 5 days this month, she has said a bottle of red wine would be a great thanks so my question is how much is appropriate to spend on a bottle when we are staying in their place for 5 days ?

thanks for any replies

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I'd probably buy more than that personally - I'd work out how much it would've cost to pay for a holiday unit for 5 days, and use that as a guide. I don't mean go out and buy her wine to the value of the unit, but you wouldn't wanna give her a $30 wine for a $500 unit y'know?

[nickle730]

Yep, I agree. Maybe a gourmet hamper or something similar to the value of a couple of hundred dollars? Still cheap for 5 days accommodation!

[Elocin]

I agree with Keike...

We did this last year - stayed in DH's Uncle's unit down at the Mornington Penn. They said the same thing about the bottle of wine.

We just left it until we got there and had a look to see what they needed... we ended up buying them a new heater and some pillows for the spare room, as well as a bottle of wine.

[minniemouse]

thanks for the replies so far, i don't want this to sound rude but i really think my friends would be horrified if we spent a couple of hundred $ on something for them as they are offering the place to save us money (even though i know it wouldn't be as much as we would spend on regular accommodation) and while i agree that its very generous of them i don't want to offend them either IYKWIM

elocin: thats a good suggestion to wait and see if they need anything there, i know the owners go down once a month for a week so i think it is probably pretty well set up, i was relieved when they mentioned wine because i was desperately thinking what i could get, they also ask we bring in the mail and mow the lawn

[Elocin]

If they are pretty well set up, maybe something for the yard?? Some pots and plants for outside? Candles for the outside table?

[~Kate~]

The gourmet hamper sounds like a good idea too. There are online places that deliver to their door so would avoid any of that face-to-face
oh you didn't have to' stuff.

[feeb]

I would agree with previous posts on something more than wine. Chocolates, wine glasses, nice tea or coffee if they are into that.

[Jas]

I think it sounds like you are pretty good friends. They obviously trust you to stay in their unit and are comfy asking you to mow the lawn etc. It sounds like they are just doing a favour without expecting anything in return. So I think ask they what reds they like so you know you will get something they will enjiy and I would add that to a box of chocolates and a card just telling them you had a good time and really appreciate it etc and maybe judt sayigng you owe them a favour.

[minniemouse]

i am liking the delivered gourmet basket idea :-) cause you are right kate there wont be any awkwardness as someone else will deliver it and i'll get one that includes wine so i don't need to decide on a bottle (because i know very little about wine !)

thanks for your help !

[Lulu]

I like to add a couple of staples when I stay at mums holiday house. Toilet paper, shampoo or toothpaste etc.

[misty]

I would just buy a nice bottle of red... Maybe go into the bottlo and talk to the staff about which is a nice bottle (for me, around the $50 mark).

[Mum2SweetCs]

If they go there regularly they would probably appreciate an immaculate house more than anything?. Like make it like the hotel rooms with chocolate on some fresh linen, toilet paper folded up etc and some nice wine on the table

[AnyDream]

I agree with your sentiment about your friends being horrified if you spend too much money. They are probably just happy to be able to share something good with you. If they said they would like a bottle of wine, then a nice one ($30 and up generally gets you something good) or if you want to spend a little more a nice bottle of aged port or liquer instead. Or just get a bottle, and perhaps some flowers or chocolates or something girly for the hostess too.

[Doodlebug]

We stayed at a friends holiday house a while ago for free and they said a bottle of wine as well. We got them that but we also took a bunch of photos of the area and the house from different angles and had the best one printed and framed for them. Still cheap but a really nice gift.

Enjoy your holiday!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

I'd just get a nice bottle of wine (say $50) and do as they have asked, mow the lawns, bring in the mail.
Maybe find them a nice little garden ornament or a bunch of flowers.

[Nai]

Maybe a nice bottle of wine and some good chocolates. I would leave the house immaculate and restocked with anything you use and also see if there is anything that could make it more comfortable eg. a throw for the couch, some scented candles or a few dvds for kids etc.

[minniemouse]

yep all the suggestions are good, i don't really know anything about the unit so i guess i will suss it out when we are there and see if we can think of anything we can add, if not will probably go with a nice bottle of red and a little something extra (and replace what we use and mow the lawn etc)