I dunno either the kid/adult is a guest of the host or they are expected to pay. I think it's absolutely ridiculous to expect a young adult to pick up the dinner check for the family. That would insult me honestly. Insane. Truly. What world do you live in that you'd expect a 20 year old to pay what around $200 for a dinner?

Like the Pp said, they can buy a bag of bagels and cream cheese or heck if they are in OBX a box of Duck Donuts. Nothing more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I own a beach house. Unless the kid is from a disadvantaged situation, I would be delighted if s/he picked up a check. Not talking the ritz.

Can’t pick up a check? Make dinner and clean up. Spaghetti’s fine.

For a multi day beach vacay it is a small price to pay.

I can’t imagine a young kid jumping up and pushing in to make dinner for 6 in an unfamiliar kitchen.

This isn't a young kid, but yeah, the idea of a 20 yo planning, shopping for and preparing a meal for six people who aren't his family is goofy.

Picking up the check for dinner, again, goofy. Paying for ice cream for all the non-parents, reasonable.

So he’s an adult? He can figure it out.

Anonymous wrote:I own a beach house. Unless the kid is from a disadvantaged situation, I would be delighted if s/he picked up a check. Not talking the ritz.

Can’t pick up a check? Make dinner and clean up. Spaghetti’s fine.

For a multi day beach vacay it is a small price to pay.

I can’t imagine a young kid jumping up and pushing in to make dinner for 6 in an unfamiliar kitchen.

Anonymous wrote:DD likes to bake a dessert to bring for everyone. Always seems to go over well!

If your son isn’t a baker, it is a good time to show him how easy boxed brownies are

We went from expensive bottle of wine to boxed brownies?

Agree with consumables. If he knows the family and the types of things they like to eat, he can go with something they like. He can ask his friend.

Things that have worked for us in the past (when we've hosted adult kids):
- Fruit basket or edible arrangement
- Cinnabon for breakfasts
- Cookie platter
- Bagels and cream cheese

Things that the kids can serve themselves or help themselves to for breakfast if they want to head out, so that I don't have to wrangle breakfast for them, are always a nice idea.

Needs to bring money to pay for his meals out and other things. Maybe bring some snacks to share.

I own a beach house. Unless the kid is from a disadvantaged situation, I would be delighted if s/he picked up a check. Not talking the ritz.

Can’t pick up a check? Make dinner and clean up. Spaghetti’s fine.

For a multi day beach vacay it is a small price to pay.

Charcuterie tray on a nice cutting board.

Just get fruits whenever you can. If there are younger kids, just entertain them.

Covering a dinner meal when everyone is out should do! This is usually very appreciative when they have to pay for wine and beer for themselves.
People do not usually say no to that.

DD likes to bake a dessert to bring for everyone. Always seems to go over well!

If your son isn’t a baker, it is a good time to show him how easy boxed brownies are

You can make an offer to pick up the check expecting it to be declined but dont one up the host family by picking up the check as a college kid. Unacceptable.

I agree with the posters that say, bring a bottle of wine, bouquet of flowers and manners. That's it. These people have money, don't care what wine you bring (it's the gesture at this point) and will appreciate the flowers. The bar to clear is low in todays society but this literally will set your son apart from 99% of todays degenerate kids, especially the manners.

Anonymous wrote:It would be awesome to pick up a check.

As already noted earlier this is a bad idea. I would be horrified if my kids friend tried to pick up the check for anything other then a box of donuts or bag of bagels. I hosted my sons girlfriend last summer and I don’t think she brought anything and I couldn’t have cared less. If she offered to do some dishes or something great. It’s possible that she and my son may have gotten some bagels one morning when they went out. That’s the right level, if anything.

Bring some food to share, maybe some supplies for what activities they enjoy at the beach house.