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Handmade Personalized Gifts
in Vacation Rentals

simple handmade gift towel origami dog simple handmade gift sand pail with snacks simple handmade gift wine and tomator pesto torta

Handmade personalized gifts feel like a welcome from a friend.

When I'm not reviewing vacation rentals, I review boutique hotels all over the world.

I've been treated to lots of welcome baskets with wine, cheese, fresh fruit and chocolate.

But vacation rental owners beat them by a long shot. Three examples of handmade personalized gifts I've found in vacation rentals are picture above: the adorable towel origami puppy, sand pail full of snacks and wine and gourmet torta.

Here are five more really unique, personal welcomes I've received from owners of vacation homes that I've never received at any hotel. Anywhere.

1. A handwritten welcome note

What a concept in an age of online conformations!

Which makes it even more heartwarming is knowing that someone took the time and effort to pick up a pen, address me by name and include a few details they thought would make my stay more enjoyable.

So simple. And not so rare in vacation rentals!

2. A disposable camera

This one is especially memorable because, as fate would have it, I ran out of disk space shortly after arriving at this vacation rental.

So the camera was a lifesaver. (Still wondering if the owner was clairvoyant.)

I saw a disposable camera in a hotel minibar once, and thought how cool! Until I saw the minibar price tag.)

3. A phone card for free long distance calling

More and more vacation rental homes offer free unlimited long distance.

So why do hotels cling to their hefty surcharges? At one hotel I visited recently, it cost $1.25 just to pick up the receiver. Kidding! (But only a little.)

4. Specially blended rosebud and licorce tea.

I'm not a tea-drinker, but this family recipe was delicious -- not to mention fragrant and beautiful to look at. (And said to be good for my skin, too!)

5. Personal recommendations.

They're like gold to me. I'll admit I've gotten some gems at smaller hotels, where the owners rub shoulders with the guests.

But vacation rental owners are champs in this area. Exactly why I included "Owner's Favorites" in every home review.

Check out the Owner's Favorites listed at the end of all my reviews, including Autumn Mist at The Sea Ranch.

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