<p>Son will be doing an overnight visit tomorrow night and it just occurred to me that he should take a small thank you gift to the student hosting him. Any suggestions? I'd love to do a gift certificate but I'm not sure what's in the area since this will be his first visit. Maybe homemade cookies?</p>
<p>The homemade cookies sound like a lovely idea. My daughter sometimes brought a little gift from where we live....we happen to live in resort area with lots of logo or gift items so she sometimes brought something like a mug from our town/state/resort, or something small like that. A food item you make or from your area is a sweet thought too.</p>
<p>That is a very sweet thought, and student always appreciates food, especially homemade! My s. appreciated the thank-you notes he's received from his prospys. I haven't heard yet that anyone has brought him a thank-you gift in advance. But again- great idea!</p>
<p>college kids love food.. trust me!</p>
<p>Foooood... cookies. Wow, that would be great. I hosted a few prospective students, and never got food. :) </p>
<p>Something small, not overly showy, would be very nice. I would think cookies, candies (like nice chocolates) or the like would be nice. Also, I love the suggestion of a mug from your area of the country. It could also be filled with jelly beans or the like.</p>
<p>Cookies seem to be something that most college kids consume, and they don't require cutting up, plates, utensils... just open the box and watch them vanish. :)</p>
<p>If you have any local/regional items that aren't too bizarre that might be fun...</p>
<p>Overall, I don't think host gifts are ever expected, so I wouldn't go overboard or worry too much about it. It's a great idea, though.</p>
<p>Don't forget it's Girl Scout cookie time - many councils have a cookies-by-mail option.</p>
<p>D gave little bags of "Boston Baked Beans"--candy-coated peanuts that went over big because they're so unusual.</p>
<p>We always keep a handy supply of marionberry jam -- an Oregon delight that we had never heard of until we moved here. It has been a big hit whenever it is given. So, while I love cookies, I prefer the more "unique" gift from home.</p>
<p>My son sent a $20 gift card to Borders Bookstore and a note of thanks.</p>
<p>My daughter often took cookies but once or twice she purchased a gift certificate from a local coffee bar once she arrived on campus.</p>
<p>What would you suggest as a gift if I'm staying with a host family for a week, I stayed with them the year before aswell. I'm coming over from England so bringing food or anything breakable isn't an option.</p>
<p>Anything from England would go over great. I know Harrows (spelling) has lots of little tins of candy, tea bags, etc. One of those would be perfect and packable. You can buy them at the HEathrow airport - no problem bringing them if they are sealed.</p>
<p>Cadbury chocolate...it's SO much better than Hershey</p>
<p>When our S stayed with different boys for overnights during his college search, he just took them out for a meal at his treat. This is always appreciated and doesn't require any advance shopping!</p>
<p>Almost everyone appreciates some nice English teas, some packaged biscuits and jam.</p>
<p>Harrods. Yum!</p>
<p>Thanks Kirmum - Was suffering from ESS - early senility syndrome. :) Causes one to drop the names of stores where one has spent much money in the past.</p>
<p>Don't I know about that.</p>
<p>Thanks Carolyn for the ideas.</p>