Etiquette for beach house stay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

Over the top much? I think OP's post is totally reasonable and fine.

Thanks, OP.

[Anonymous]

I would try to find some really fun kid activity that you can bring or invite their kids to.

[Anonymous]

We own a large beach home and often host other families. We appreciate it when people go on the grocery run with us and offer to help pay, buy some alcohol and just generally pitch in while they are there. We have one friend who always cooks a meal for everyone, and we love that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

This sentence tells me that OP is new to having money and also new to being invited to people's vacation homes.

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, nice that she's asking for advice. Have fun, OP!

Can you imagine ever saying in real life “hey, Suzie, Betty and her family invited us to their beach house for a week this summer. What do you think we should do to show our appreciation? Obviously money isn’t the issue since we both have kids in private schools and drive luxury cars. Thoughts?”

Suzie and Betty, being friends, would already know the family is doing well so there is no need to mention this. To DCUMers, it's worth mentioning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

DP here. Someone sounds jealous.

Nope. I have plenty of money. A net worth well into the millions. I just don’t / didn’t waste it on luxury cars or private schools. That way I don’t have to mooch off of others for my vacations.

Anybody who feels the need to say they drive a luxury car and sends their kids to private schools when neither is germane in any way to the issue being discussed is simply pathetic.

You’re the nauseating one.

Nope. OP had it coming.

Jealousy is not a good look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe offer to pay the cleaning fee?

Great idea.

[Anonymous]

Alcohol is great. Food is probably great but I’d check with the host and ask what you can bring because she may have it covered.
Something fun like a board game or pool toys would be great and appreciated by my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

DP here. Someone sounds jealous.

Nope. I have plenty of money. A net worth well into the millions. I just don’t / didn’t waste it on luxury cars or private schools. That way I don’t have to mooch off of others for my vacations.

Anybody who feels the need to say they drive a luxury car and sends their kids to private schools when neither is germane in any way to the issue being discussed is simply pathetic.

You’re the nauseating one.

Nope. OP had it coming.

Jealousy is not a good look.

Such a juvenile response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't "offer" to pay for groceries or dinner b/c , out of politeness and feeling awkward, the host declines.
Instead, just pay "Here Jim, I've got groceries covered. I'll be back in an hour with snack foods, burgers for dinner, and whatever else looks good...a case of beer too, right?"

Good approach and good b/c immediately consumable. Then AFTER see the fridge to know if room, go get pancake mix, eggs, bread for toast, cereal, milk, oh and whatever else and offer to make breakfast or if little fridge room, be clear THEY do not have to make breakfast for you and your kids everyday- have things easy for kids so can do on own.

[Anonymous]

Things we have done in the past:
-Bring a breakfast basket - load it with a mini waffle maker, mix and fun toppings. The kids will enjoy it all week. Also include some fresh muffins or bread.
-Ask if you can bring up dinner for the first night. Sometimes delivery options are limited and it can be nice to bring something from home that they love if they are spending the summer there.
-A basket of alcohols. Wine, ingredients for your favorite cocktail, etc. Something that is fun to enjoy together.
-And when I run out of time ahead of time, I have sent flowers after a visit or picked up a gift card to their favorite local place and left it on the table with a nice note.

Depending on the kids ages, I also love the idea of taking the kids all out one day and providing some childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

This sentence tells me that OP is new to having money and also new to being invited to people's vacation homes.

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, nice that she's asking for advice. Have fun, OP!

Can you imagine ever saying in real life “hey, Suzie, Betty and her family invited us to their beach house for a week this summer. What do you think we should do to show our appreciation? Obviously money isn’t the issue since we both have kids in private schools and drive luxury cars. Thoughts?”

Suzie and Betty, being friends, would already know the family is doing well so there is no need to mention this. To DCUMers, it's worth mentioning.

Anyone who owns a beach house isn’t hard up for money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

DP here. Someone sounds jealous.

Nope. I have plenty of money. A net worth well into the millions. I just don’t / didn’t waste it on luxury cars or private schools. That way I don’t have to mooch off of others for my vacations.

Anybody who feels the need to say they drive a luxury car and sends their kids to private schools when neither is germane in any way to the issue being discussed is simply pathetic.

You sound like fun! 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

DP here. Someone sounds jealous.

Nope. I have plenty of money. A net worth well into the millions. I just don’t / didn’t waste it on luxury cars or private schools. That way I don’t have to mooch off of others for my vacations.

Anybody who feels the need to say they drive a luxury car and sends their kids to private schools when neither is germane in any way to the issue being discussed is simply pathetic.

You sound like fun! 🙄

I’m a lot more fun than OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

DP here. Someone sounds jealous.

Nope. I have plenty of money. A net worth well into the millions. I just don’t / didn’t waste it on luxury cars or private schools. That way I don’t have to mooch off of others for my vacations.

Anybody who feels the need to say they drive a luxury car and sends their kids to private schools when neither is germane in any way to the issue being discussed is simply pathetic.

You sound like fun! 🙄

I’m a lot more fun than OP.

Go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family friend of ours has invited us to join them for a week at their beach house this summer. They have 2 kids, we have 3 kids.

What should we offer/bring to show our appreciation for hosting us? We will offer to pay for groceries and eating out, but should I bring a host gift? Anything else? Do I need to do all the laundry on the day we leave (sheets, towels)? This is our first time being hosted at a vacation home.

Fwiw, both families are well-off (kids in private schools, luxury cars, etc), so it’s not a financial burden for them to host us or for us to offer to pay for stuff. I want to be a good guest.

You are nauseating and I would want to vacation with you in a million years.

Why couldn’t you just say “money isn’t the issue neither of us is hurting” or something like that. “Kids in prívate schools, luxury cars?” Really?

DP here. Someone sounds jealous.

Nope. I have plenty of money. A net worth well into the millions. I just don’t / didn’t waste it on luxury cars or private schools. That way I don’t have to mooch off of others for my vacations.

Anybody who feels the need to say they drive a luxury car and sends their kids to private schools when neither is germane in any way to the issue being discussed is simply pathetic.

You sound like fun! 🙄

I’m a lot more fun than OP.

And happy, too. It shows!