What goes in a welcome basket?
When you arrive at a holiday let, a welcome basket can be the perfect end to a long journey. But what should go in it? Is there anything that shouldn’t? And what special considerations will give your guests the best welcome possible?
The essentials
Certain items are included in the vast majority of welcome baskets: things guests can use to prepare a quick meal or snack, or as part of a larger meal. This includes bread from a local baker, eggs from our own smallholding, butter, cheese and milk from a local farm, tea, coffee and sugar. We can also include locally produced jam, biscuits, or another sweet treat.
You may feel a bottle of something to drink is also essential, especially as we are on the Kent/Sussex border, with many local vineyards. We strongly recommend that holiday let owners do not advertise this as included. Under licensing laws you can give it as a gift, but (so far as we understand) you would need a licence to advertise and sell alcohol.
Although hard to source locally, it’s always worth including squash or fruit juice as an alternative to tea and coffee.
Additional extras
What goes in the basket can change depending on who your guests are and the type of property you have. This is a chance to go above and beyond and give guests something extra.
- If you allow dogs, include a doggy treat and possibly a squeaky toy.
- If guests are bringing children, activity books, treats and information about local activities always go down well.
Depending on your and your guests’ needs, the basket can include bacon, sausages, fresh fruit and vegetables, and virtually anything else. We have a wide local network and can source many locally produced items.
Anything else?
Not everything that could go in the welcome basket should. Notes and information about the property can be placed alongside it, or in another room. A folder of leaflets about local attractions can be left in the living room. Kitchen essentials can go in the cupboard, and anything that needs to be in the fridge should be.
