Provide a Welcome Basket for the Guests at Your Vacation Rental
One of the simplest and best ways to make your guests happy and feel right at home the minute they walk through the doors of your vacation rental in the Outer Banks, is to put together a welcome basket. A basket full of goodies will certainly be appreciated. Of course, you might be thinking that you have no idea how to make one of these or what you should include. Fortunately, you have plenty of options, and it is easier, and more cost effective, than you might think.
You do not have to spend a fortune on the gift baskets for your vacation rental guests. Always try to buy certain items in bulk when possible, as this can help you save money. However, you do not want to be overly frugal with the baskets either.
Consider Using Food Items
Food is always a welcome treat for guests who have come in after a long day on the road or in the air. You have plenty of options when it comes to the types of food that you include in the basket. Chocolates are often a good idea, as are crackers. Having some popcorn could be a nice addition, too. Of course, you can always go the healthier route and create a basket with some fruit in it.
One of the things you need to consider when you are putting together baskets that have food in them is just how long they will last. As nice as it might be to have a basket of wine and cheese, you do not want to have the cheese sitting out on the counter for hours before the guests arrive. If you still like this idea, though. You could put the wine, along with some packaged crackers, in the basket, along with a handwritten note that lets them know the cheese is in the refrigerator. If you happen to live in the area, you could even bake a pie or some cookies to leave at the house for the guests.
If you have a fire pit in the backyard, you could put in all the ingredients to make smores. This could be a very welcome gift whether the guests have children or not!
A Basket to Wake Up To
Another option is to provide a basket that has some great morning items in it, such as coffee and tea. Cocoa could be a welcome treat, too. Add some sugar, and perhaps some honey so they can sweeten their beverages to their liking. You might even want to provide a couple of mugs for the guests that they can take home with them.
A Basket for Fun in the Sun
Since the Outer Banks visitors will often want to head out to the beach or to the trails, you might want to create a basket that can provide them with some of the items they are sure to need. This can include items such as sun screen, lotion, aloe in case someone gets sunburned, and lip balm.
A Basket for the Family
When you are putting together your baskets, you might want to have some that include items specifically for the younger members of the family. The basket should contain everything the adults would need and want, as we’ve discussed. However, it should also have some items that the kids might enjoy. This could include some small toys, a plastic bucket and shovel for the sand when they go to the beach, and perhaps an inflatable toy that they can take with them. Puzzle books, as well as coloring books and a big box of crayons are a nice option, as well. The kids will like these items, and the adults will be appreciative, too.
A Basket for Romance
What about those people who are coming to the area for their honeymoon or anniversary? Maybe they are just taking a nice getaway together. You can help to create a romantic mood for them by creating a gift basket that caters to their needs. Some of the different items that might work well for this type of basket could be chocolates, champagne, as well as bath bombs and other bath products. You might even want to include some flowers. This will help to get their vacation started right.
Fill Out the Basket With Information About the Area
You want your guests to have a great stay when they are at your vacation rental, and even though you might have a wonderful home, they will likely want to get out and enjoy the Outer Banks. You can collect brochures and flyers from the area, along with some coupons if they are available. Provide these items as a little something extra in the basket, and you can be sure the guests will appreciate it.
Learn About Your Guests to Create the Right Basket
Try to learn a bit about the guests that book with you if possible. Get their names, and the names and ages of any children who will be coming along for the vacation. Try to get a sense of why they are coming to the area, and make note of it. You can find out a lot with a quick conversation on the phone or a few emails. You do not have to let them know you are preparing a gift basket – in fact, you shouldn’t; it should be a surprise for them. Take the information that you get and then try to tailor a gift basket that will work well for those guests.
Going that extra mile can really make a big difference in their experience and how they feel about you and your property. It is a good way to get some great reviews, too.
Even More Benefits
In addition to providing a quality experience your guests will appreciate, you may be able to write off these gift baskets and their contents on your taxes. However, you will want to consult with your accountant before you do this, just to be safe. Start making these baskets today and see just how much your guests love them.