<p>D is taking her first overnight college visit this weekend. Is it customary to bring a gift for the student host? If so, we could use some suggestions. Thanks!</p>
<p>D did an overnight at UVA and just went to the bookstore the next morning and made up a goodie bag with some candy and other inexpensive but useful items. She spent less than $10 but since a few things were on sale, it ended up being just right-neither extravagant or cheap. She included a thank you card in the bag as well.</p>
<p>I think it's nice, but not required. Personally I think homemade cookies, brownies or bread is better than store bought candy. A thank you note afterward would also be nice. :)</p>
<p>Absolutley to the thank you note afterward. Always, whenever staying with someone.</p>
<p>Another option to a gift is to spring for pizza or something during the stay.</p>
<p>Homemade stuff only works when you are local. Charlottesville is 700+ miles from our home and I doubt that mailing homemade cookies,etc would arrive fresh enough to be edible.</p>
<p>coffee shop gift card is much appreciated by the kids</p>
<p>Coffee shop gift card is great if you know which ones are realistic for the host to visit. I think most times we sent D and S with extra $$ to spring for a pizza; this seemed to work well.</p>
<p>And yes, ABSOLUTELY a thank you note afterward.</p>
<p>Having been a host, I certainly appreciated the thank you notes that I got from my prospective students. It doesn't have to be mailed either. They were just as nice when I got back to my room (I was out of it because of classes when they had left) and found a note on my whiteboard or left on my bed or something.</p>
<p>When my DD stayed with athletes she took a team T shirt to give to the host. But snacks or any gift card for a local place are great.</p>
<p>I stayed in my DDs apartment last month (3 roommates) and I knew DD had a friend coming the next two weekends, so I got nice gift cards for all the girls to put them in a good mood about guests :D</p>
<p>Many college hosts would appreciate a 1.75 liter bottle of Kamchatka or Popov, which should be well within your budget. Some OJ to mix it with is also gratefully accepted.</p>
<p>hope4freeride,
Care packages mailed from 3000 miles away arrive with baked goods fresh enough to eat!</p>
<p>We were on a whirlwind spring break tour when D did an overnight stay at UVA. By the time we finally got home, it still was better for us to give candy,snacks and a gift card rather than send home baked goodies which may or may not have been what her host would actually like. I personally have never thought that sending any kind of perishable food long distances is ever a good idea, especially to someone I don't even know.</p>
<p>DD hosted guests when she lived in the dorms. A thank you note was a nice gesture. She did not expect any kind of gift...food, pizza or "stuff".</p>
<p>Not required but a thank you and a clean floor are a must :)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the advice. Although the consensus seems to be that a gift is not required, I think we will go the baked goods route. The hosts may be future teammates, so we want to make a good first impression!</p>
<p>When I was a prospie, I gave my host cookies.</p>