Gifts for staff

I always carry gifts for staff (scented lotions, shoes, clothes etc) of where I stay in Negril but for my next reach I am struggling with what to bring. I will be on the rock for Thanksgiving for 5 nights and I am challenging myself to just bring carry-on which leaves no room for gifts. There are some staff members who have been very accommodating on my room requests and various emails. I would like to give them something. Is cash in a thank you card offensive or too impersonal? If not cash, then any other suggestions? gift card??

Edited to add: I'm staying at an all inclusive in MoBay

I don't know anyone who doesn't like CASH and I think the gesture alone is AWESOME (follow your heart)!

Keep smiling,
TG

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Originally Posted by tranquilitygurl

I don't know anyone who doesn't like CASH and I think the gesture alone is AWESOME (follow your heart)!

Keep smiling,
TG

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My heart definitely says to bring something and I am leaning towards cash but then I start to wonder How much is too much and How much is not enough?

A $20.00 bill can do wonders in Jamaica.

Gift cards are not common in Jamaica and would be difficult or almost impossible to use.

And, while gifts are a lovely thought (who doesn't love a good lotion :) )...most people have bills to pay and food to put on the table...cash also serves to help the economy in Jamaica.

The money that you would have spent on the gifts can be given in cash.

I always give cash. This way they can get whatever they want or need.

Cash is King :)

Thank you cards and cash it is! There were 2 ladies that have been really helpful - one more than the other so I will give her a bit more.

Want to Really make an impression?
Go to your US Bank and ask for 10- $2.00 bills.

They will always remember you and that.;)

Along with the cash, perhaps a nice hand-written note to go along with it for the personal touch....

Jamerican71...I just noticed your OP edit about staying at an AI.
I'd like to add that you should make sure you're allowed to tip at the property you're staying...not all AI's allow tipping.

So Bnewb, please tell Rob, from now on I'll bring cash instead of White Castle Cheese Burgers!!!!! LMAO

What a wonderful idea, Cash is great - it is the absolute best feeling the gratitude you receive and appreciation from Jamaican's. I know every cent helps them, but any denomination brings such a smile to their face. The appreciation goes a mile. My husband and I literally left bags of clothes, and shoes/flip flops etc, that we brought to wear, we gave stuff out like Christmas to at least 6 different people. Our suitcase was lighter on the way back, the next trip we had to buy more stuff to replace the things we gave away. I would rather donate and help someone that appreciates what ever you can, then have people expect it like here at home!!!

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Originally Posted by Markospoon

Want to Really make an impression?
Go to your US Bank and ask for 10- $2.00 bills.

They will always remember you and that.;)

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Yes! Before my last trip, I went to my bank to take out some cash as I normally do. I told the teller that I would like $50 work of $1's as I am going on vacation and would use them for tips. The teller told me that they just got a bunch of $2 bills in stock and suggested that they would be nice for tipping. So I grabbed a bunch of those which helped make my cash envelope lighter. In Jamaica, the $2 bills went over very well. I mostly used them to tip food delivery boys, taxi drivers and the occasional tip to the staff around my hotel if they performed a special task.

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Jamerican71...I just noticed your OP edit about staying at an AI.
I'd like to add that you should make sure you're allowed to tip at the property you're staying...not all AI's allow tipping.

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I've stayed at this resort before and I tipped --- left cash on the table at the end of every meal, tipped housekeeping and bartenders --- and nobody stopped me. Doesn't mean it was allowed but nobody said anything. For these two ladies I mentioned in my original post, I plan to put the cash in an envelope with a handwritten thank you card and will hand it to them discreetly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Markospoon

Want to Really make an impression?
Go to your US Bank and ask for 10- $2.00 bills.

They will always remember you and that.;)

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I like this idea and will do it for my regular tipping