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What would you bring for the workers at the place you stay that make your trip enjoyable.
We have some reading glasses, coloring books with crayons for there kids, a few assorted toys.
in the past we took pocket knives for the guys and body wash and body spray for the ladies.
In the past, I have taken eyeshadows, nailpolish, lotions, etc. for the females. T-shirts, also ball caps for the guys. With all the new changes with luggage...we now tend to bring a few small items and just tip extra. Also have venture out to get items while in Negril, such as soccer balls, school supplies, etc. It all works out well. Truly, anytime someone takes time to care about someone...it cannot help but be successful. Also, as always, giving of oneself has to be a cherished gift indeed.
I did use a spacebag one year to try to get as many baby clothes as I could in my luggage. Actually:confused:, it worked out quite well. This year will be our longest visit ever...so our luggage is going to be tight to say the least. I'll have to improvise a likkle bit I guess. LOL....
Cash is always best.
We always give some cash (tip) workers. Leave a couple dollars on the bed each day, tip the servers and so on.
I look gifts the same a Christmas Bonus for my employees, each employee gets a bonus but I also do a gift so they get a luxury item they normally would not get for themselves. If you only give cash it normally just goes to bills, kids needs and household items which is not a bad thing but just want them to have something just for them.
I bring fragrance, cosmetics and unused or slightly used shoes and clothing, and yes lots of small bills. Some of the fragrance that I bring, they can get a lot more selling that I could ever afford to tip them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Living_the_Dream
Small bills for tips
Chocolove bars for the maids
http://www.chocolove.com/index.html
Scented Candles are nice also.
wallets, purses, jewlery, gift baskets (you can make your own), cologne, aftersave, purchase a meal at one of the local restuarants/.
My past visit (01/26/11-03/6/12 I gave every staff person a LED flashlight (28)...w/exrta batteries...they loved them....for the chefs at my resort I gave them meat thermometors.....& for the grounds keeper he got a genuine big time LEATHERMEN all purpose knife/tool & he's pack'en it very proudly. I stay in the cliffs but I go to Margaritaville to grap a lounger (no or drink) most of the time & for my Margaritaville beach buds....I bring them some great gloves to ease the pain of those loungers stacked up 5/6 or so at a time back & forth every single day..& a good look at their hands told me they needed some relief. They got it & they new ones come 01/30/13!! Working on my list for the next visit.
Rooster, those are great gift ideas! We pretty much just gift cash because it's way easier and takes no planning or extra packing. The last few times, I've noticed that the hotel housekeepers really love to receive children's clothing for their kids/grand kids. I've even been asked directly for the clothing that my children had on, and I let them know that I would gladly leave a bag of clothes for them when we checked out. Next trip I will be better prepared, and shop for some baby/children's clothing to bring down for the staff. Lots of great sales for kids summer stuff right now, too. It always feels great to give to others, especially when it is so appreciated and needed.
I have a question about gifts and rather than create a new thread I figure I would post here.
I am traveling tomorrow night on a budget to Negril for a week, and while I'll definitely be tipping in cash, I was thinking of bringing some Party Supplies or fun stuff for Negril kids to hand out.
My business actually involves Party Supplies including novelty glasses, silly string,and that kind of stuff.
I'm thinking of tossing some packs of glasses/moustaches in my luggage, think it would be a waste of space or would it be appreciated?
Thanks
After soaking every cent of value out of my vacation, I tip well and in addition give away most of my stuff -- glasses, pens, sundry items, flashlight, lanyard, extra large pool towels, books, snacks, lighters (new lighters make GREAT gifts/tips), hats, leftover subs etc.
deep pockets!.
Blake,
I think the children would love those!!!!
@ Blake - the novelty items would make fine gifties for the children.
I have found from experience that small gadgets, Multi-tools w/flashlights, pens, lighters, etc. go over big. I brought someone a windup flashlight (no batteries). Years later they still have it & report getting good use out of it especially during storms. Sometimes you can find some really nice & useful stuff in the dollar store.
But, cash is still a must....
So my bags are packed extremely full, the haul to the airport is going to be fun...
7.5LB of old bay seasoning for Bentley(I hear he uses a lot of it :-p), a dozen coloring books/crayons, two giant packs of glow necklaces, 72 moustaches, 36 kazoos, some halloween decorations for hotels/bars, party beads(120 or so), a bunch of packs of novelty sunglasses, and packs of playing cards.
I "might" be able to squeeze some more stuff in there but I'm only bringing one carry-on and a checked bag and I have scuba gear....
How about some strong balloons like the ones for helium they don't pop so easily.
for people that we would see every year, cash-something for the family, or something they would never spend the money on to buy a item for themselves..............each year we took family type photos of our friends and families,
those they really Cherish!
I'll throw in a pack of 72, a couple big 36" ones and a pump.I figure the kids on the beach would have fun with a giant 36" balloon or two.... Running out of spaceQuote:
Originally Posted by Angel
For Rob, I bring White Castle Cheeseburgers frozen solid and wrapped extra special for the long trip.
I think back at the best gift ever...
I was in Walmart the day before my trip and they had a great special on Patriots baseball caps from the previous years superbowl victory. They were probably $2 each and I bought two dozen. Took up very little space. This was a late November trip and I handed out the caps to people I knew as Christmas hats. Staff were begging me for extra hats for their kids, uncles etc....
For Rob, I bring White Castle Cheeseburgers frozen solid and wrapped extra special for the long trip.
I think back at the best gift ever...
I was in Walmart the day before my trip and they had a great special on Patriots baseball caps from the previous years superbowl victory. They were probably $2 each and I bought two dozen. Took up very little space. This was a late November trip and I handed out the caps to people I knew as Christmas hats. Staff were begging me for extra hats for their kids, uncles etc....
This is a link from the "Old Board". I mention the hat I gave to Ragga Bones at Red Dragon....
http://www.negril.com/discus/message...tml?1259890585
Enoy,
VVHT
There is a flea market by me,they sell NY Yankees/NYC baseball caps thats are seconds,$3 bucks.Also nice belts for $5....I also bring Xmas lights if it's December for our room then leave them for the housekeeper.
Blake You are going to be one popular guy. I can see all the smiles now! Have a great trip!
The old bay made me laugh.. We have 3 of the really big cans packed and ready to go for our trip at the end of November. I think he may be all set on that front for a while :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Blake
Yea.... I was looking on Amazon one day and I started looking just out of habit for the largest old bay container available and came across the 7.5LB monstrosity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hussyband
I figure if he can deliver on great crabcakes and fried chicken(two of my favorite food groups) then the least I could do is show up with a giant thing of old bay seasoning.
1 1/2 hours of work until I'm off for an entire week.
I commend everyone for their giving nature and thank you for the amazing ideas!!!
Have a good trip Blake, have fun.
Blake, you are the one that posted the link and directed me to the site to purchase it. When I gave it to him he was thrilled. Thanks man for looking out and allowing me to help the man out in a big way. Just wait till you see and hear his reaction. Good on you man and have a great time.
That is too funny reading about bringing Old Bay seasoning! Is it that hard to find there? Out of curiosity, I just checked on Amazon, and they have a 50lb box of Old Bay for sale, LOL!
http://www.amazon.com/Old-Bay-Season..._sim_sbs_gro_5
Too bad it can't be shipped directly there.
I imagine Mr. Bentley would be well stocked if he got that one. :-)
Took a while, but I found a photo of Ragga Bones with the Christmas Hat I gave him back in 2009.
Photo credit go to Pirate.
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