Appropriate Gifts For Casino Hosts
To many people, giving a gift to a host or hostess is a dying art. Because of this, learning the proper etiquette may seem a bit old-fashioned and antiquated, but that’s far from the case. The host or hostess has spent days, if not weeks or months, working to create a memorable celebration or gathering.
Hosts usually are not allowed to accept cash. There is also usually a maximum to the value of a gift that a host can accept. You'll have to ask a host at the casino to find out what the tipping regulations are for hosts. Gift ideas for casino hosts. Last edit: Vegasgrl1067 on Wednesday, 1st October 2008 1:48 pm Last response by lvdisplays 20th October 12:31pm. If you were a casino host and someone sent you delicious cookies for a job well done.would you appreciate the gesture? I know cash and gift certificates are frowned upon.
As a grateful attendee, you’ll want to show your appreciation in a way that is appropriate, but also interesting! This guide to hostess gift etiquette not only answers all of your questions but also provides a list of different gifts you can give that eliminate all guesswork.
What should you bring a hostess gift to?
Often the line between when you should and shouldn’t bring a gift to a hostess is unclear. Sometimes bringing a gift may seem like overkill, whereas other times it is expected to thank the host or hostess with a gift. These guidelines will help you determine your call to action depending on the most common occasions.
Casual Gatherings
These days, it may seem over the top to bring a hostess gift to a casual party. However, often a gift to the hostess is seen as a token of gratitude for their efforts. It doesn’t need to be formally wrapped, but instead can be given as an addition to the festivities.
Anything that will complement their efforts or help them in the future, even if it’s just a minor gift, will be greatly appreciated. For example, if it’s a dinner party, bringing a bottle of wine or appetizer as a sign of thanks.
Formal Celebrations
Whether it’s a birthday, bachelorette party or engagement party, you’ll only need to worry about getting a gift for the honorees.
However, if it’s you that is being celebrated, you’ll want to take the time to write your hostess a thank you note at the very least. If you can go the extra mile and send her flowers, chocolate or something else she loves like a gift certificate to her favorite spa, by all means, do it!
Housewarmings and Houseguests
Housewarming can include welcoming a new person to your neighborhood or celebrating a friend’s new home. Either way, it is customary to bring a gift that will help contribute to their new home, such as dish towels, wine glasses or a candle. If you know the neighborhood well, you can also introduce your new neighbor to the area with a guide or welcome kit.
As for visiting and staying in someone else’s home, you’ll always want to bring a gift to show your gratitude. The extravagance of your gift will depend on the length of your stay and the accommodations you are provided. Remember, this person is welcoming you into their home, so you’ll want to give something equally as thoughtful, like a coffee table book or kitchen supplies.
Hostess gift etiquette tips
Beyond understanding when you should give your host or hostess a gift, here are some additional gift etiquette tips to keep in mind:
- Be discrete when you give the gift. There is a possibility that someone else might not have realized they should give a gift, and you don’t want others to feel uncomfortable or guilty.
- Greet the host or hostess first, then give the gift. You don’t want to push the item on them right away and make them feel like you are just going through the motions.
- Don’t expect them to use the gift right away or unwrap it on the spot. They are in “hosting” mode and likely don’t want to divert too much attention away from their other guests.
- Ask the host or hostess ahead of time if there is anything you can bring to the occasion to contribute. This tip doesn’t always apply to things like housewarming celebrations or bridal showers, where the hostess may not be expected to receive a gift anyway. But if you sense they are preparing something ahead of time, don’t hesitate to reach out to help.
- Wrap the gift if it feels appropriate. Sometimes this can mean sticking a beautiful bow on it or it can be more intricate, such as wrapping it and writing a quick thank you note.
Hostess gift ideas
Now that you understand both how and when to best give a gift to your hostess, you can pick out the perfect gift to show your appreciation. Check out the list below for tried and true hostess gift ideas that are sure to earn you future invites.
Candles
Though not always the best gift for dinner parties given that the scent may clash with the meal, candles are a great gift to thank someone for letting you stay with them.
Cheese Board and Knives
Cheese boards and knives are a great gift on any occasion. Not only do they work well for a housewarming party, but they also work well at dinner parties and other occasions. Hosts can use them to serve appetizers they’ve prepared or store them away for future get togethers. Plus, if the board matches their home’s style, they may even use it as regular decor!
Coasters
Coasters offer a practical and stylish solution to every hostess’s fear of guests staining their nice wooden tables. With so many different styles and fun options, coasters can even create talking points, like with these cocktail recipe coasters.
Gift Baskets
Gift baskets make thanking your host easy because they offer a variety of items that your host may need or want. Not to mention, there are so many different varieties of gift baskets.
For example, if your host loves coffee, you can get them a coffee themed basket that goes above and beyond a simple coffee mug or bag of beans.
Glasses and Other Stemware
Whether you’re celebrating with a fancy dinner or saying thank you for someone’s hospitality, you can never go wrong with wine glasses and other types of stemware. These sets often get lost, misplaced or broken over time, so every great host is always in need of more. If possible, consider what drinks you all may be drinking at the festivities and gift accordingly.
Artisan Soaps
If candles aren’t your thing, soaps are another way to provide some apothecary to your host or hostess. A collection of three to four different soap scents ensures your hostess will find a scent she enjoys. The last thing you want to do is pick out a scent she hates! Additionally, as an added bonus, this saves her one more trip to the store to restock on the essentials.
Chocolate
Chocolate comes in many forms, so you can give this gift in a creative way that is still delicious. For instance, you can gift chocolate strawberries and truffles together, or just go with an organic, luxurious collection of different dark ones. Keep in mind that dark chocolate isn’t for everyone, so be sure to check beforehand or gift your hostess a few different types to be safe.
Flowers in a Vase
Though many will caution against gifting flowers to a host, when given with a vase you immediately take care of the task of finding a place to put the flowers. Plus, when the flowers die later, your host will still have a beautiful vase to remember you by!
Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are a great way for your hostess to pamper herself, especially after doing all the work to plan the occasion! Because you can only use bath bombs once, many people view them as “treats,” making them a perfect way to show your appreciation to any hostess!
Coffee Table Book
Whether your host collects coffee table books or just loves a certain topic, coffee table books make for a thoughtful and unique host or hostess gift. Not only are they often fun talking pieces, but they also can be about something your host is interested in as well! If needed, ask their friends or family for ideas for coffee table books they have been eyeing recently so you can be sure to get them something they’ve been wanting.
When it comes to thanking your hostess, it’s much better to risk giving something when you don’t need to versus forgetting to give one when the occasion calls for it. There are a variety of easy and affordable ways to show your gratitude for all the time and effort they put into the occasion. Even if you are just acquaintances with your hostess, you can always look to typical thank you gifts for easy, but fail-safe ideas.
Sources
Emily Post | Huffington Post | Manners Mentor
Contents
- 3 Benefits of Having a Host
What is a Casino Host?
A casino host is a personal casino representative. Instead of calling reservations to book a room, or calling restaurants to book a reservation, your host will be able to take care of everything for you. If you are in a casino, there will usually be a designated host on duty that can help you at any hour, even if you don’t have one assigned to you.
Hosts are not usually on the casino floor like dealers or floor people. They will greet you and stop by if you are playing, but they do not have any other job beyond making sure their players are taken care of. At some casino properties, there will be different tiers of hosts, where higher value players are assigned to more experienced hosts.
Have a Host Assigned
Appropriate Gifts For Casino Hosts Buffet
If you only play low limit blackjack or slots a few times per year, the odds are that you won’t have a host assigned. If you ask for one, the casino may find a host for you, but it will largely defeat the purpose as they won’t have a lot to offer you. Look at it this way, the host if your own butler when you are planning a trip to, or are currently at a casino. If your play is valuable enough to the casino, they will assign you said butler. If you are an infrequent, low limit player, this is not an expense they are looking to spare.
Casinos handle their host programs differently depending on the property. Some will meet you face to face while you are playing. Others will give you a call or email to establish a line of contact. If you have put in a decent amount of gambling volume at a casino but still don’t have a host (or one that you know of), the next step is to reach out.
If you are at a casino, visiting the host office is your best play for obtaining a host. Sometimes you will already have on your account, but they simply didn’t contact you. Other times a host will need to be located for you. Most casinos have dozens of hosts (depending on their size), so one should be available for your immediate assistance. Once you finally have a casino host, the next step is understanding what benefits you will now be able to realize.
Benefits of Having a Host
The tricky part about having a host is that there is a lot of give and take. Do the hosts want to see you play a lot at their casino? Yes, of course. Do they want to see you lose? No, though some incorrectly believe this to be the case. The ultimate goal of any host is to ensure that you are kept happy during your visit.
Try to be reasonable about what you should expect as a player. If you are playing $100/spin high limit slots for hours on end, your host will likely offer you unlimited room charges, but if you are playing smaller games, they will draw the line at a lower limit.
Convenience
Convenience is what a host is all about. They will arrange a ride for you, book show tickets, book your rooms, arrange restaurant reservations, and cater to just about every need you have. Within reason, a host will do anything (non monetary) that improves your stay, even if you aren’t a high limit player. This measure of convenience is why players of almost any limit will benefit from having their own host
Casino Offers
Appropriate Gifts For Casino Hosts Wheel Of Fortune
If you have a host, they will generally be able to cater specific offers to your play. For example, they can make sure you are the first to know about a gift card and free play giveaway. Perhaps the casino you are playing at is going to be sold out for New Years. If you are a consistent player, your host will reach out to make sure you have a room available if you are looking for one. Offers come in the mail all the time, but a good host will make sure you are always able to book the ones that you want before they fill up.
Comped Rooms
Comped rooms are much, much easier to obtain if you have a host. Calling the reservations line will not usually net you a free room, especially without an explicit offer. A host, however, can bypass this and book a room on your behalf. Plus, this is less likely to impact your future offers than if you book via the marketing department. The host should be your friend, so always try to book a room with them first before you call the hotel itself.
Comped Meals
Appropriate Gifts For Casino Hosts Real Money
As is the case with rooms, a host will be able to offer you more in the way of free food than the casino will give you by default. Sure, the casino may allow you to use your comps to pay for any room or dining charges, but a host can comp an amount above and beyond this. Ask ahead and your host should be able to tell you how much comp money they can allocate for meals.
Extra Benefits
Appropriate Gifts For Casino Hosts No Deposit
A quality host will get to know you personally. As a result, they will have the ability to give you some extra perks where they see fit. For example, you may receive a free play offer or a bottle of wine on your birthday. They may even surprise you with a gift on Christmas. These are the sort of added benefits that only a host can deliver.