6 Gift Basket Ideas for Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

Guests will always appreciate thoughtful gestures. One way to welcome your guests to your home is by offering a well-curated gift basket that reflects your rental. Not only does a gift basket create a nice start to their vacation, but it can also be a unique selling point for your property, setting it apart from other listings.

When creating a gift basket, consider including items that align with the theme and location of your Airbnb. The key is to make your guests feel welcome and at home. To that, here are some great ideas to include in your gift baskets.

The best Airbnb gift basket Ideas include:

• Local Treats Basket: Best for Food-Centered Areas
• Bathroom Essentials Basket: Best for Staycation Properties
• Local Activities Basket: Best for City Airbnbs
• Coffee, Tea, and More Basket: Best for Family-Friendly Stays
• Beach Day Basket: Best for Beachside Properties
• Reading Basket w/ Chocolate: Best for Slow-Paced Vacations

Make sure you don't miss a thing when setting up your Airbnb by using our comprehensive Airbnb Host Checklist. For an even easier experience, simply copy our Host Checklist Google Sheet. Happy hosting!

How We Selected the Best Airbnb Gift Basket Ideas

The best gift baskets won’t be generic. When curating gift baskets, we need to consider several factors to ensure that each basket is unique, thoughtful, and reflective of the local area. We start by researching the area around the rental property to get a better understanding of what activities, attractions, and amenities are available nearby. This helps us to select items that align with the theme and location of the rental.

It helps to pay close attention to the practical needs of guests, and include items that would be useful during their stay, such as toiletries or maps of the area. In addition, include items that will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for them. By considering these factors, you too can curate a gift basket that will appeal to your guests and help make their stay more enjoyable.

The best Airbnb gift basket ideas are:

1. Local Treats Basket: Best for Food-Centered Areas

Who doesn’t love food? A basket filled with local treats is an excellent way to welcome guests and provide them with a taste of the local area. By including locally made snacks, chocolates, and candies, you can introduce your guests to flavors and specialties unique to your region. This can give them a taste of the local culture. It can also be a great conversation starter, as your guests may be curious to learn more about the origins of the items in the basket.

To create a gift basket of your very own, first research on popular local snacks. This can be anything that your area is known for, or even snacks made by local companies. A mix of tastes is always appreciated, and be sure to include both salty and sweet treats for your guests. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the gift basket either: just three to four different snacks will help them sample the local flavors.

The best way to go about this is to create your own gift basket, as you’ll know best about what’s popular in your area. You can also create a write up for each snack in the basket, so that your guests can get an introduction on the local culture. Still, if this is a little too much work, you can scour Amazon for snack baskets that reflect your area, like this Golden State Fruit Cheese Fruit & Nuts Gift Box from A Gift Inside.

2. Bathroom Essentials Basket: Best for Staycation Properties

Though providing your guests with bathroom essentials–such as shampoo, toilet paper, and toothpaste–is a must, you can go a step further by creating a more luxe bathroom gift basket with upgraded essentials (e.g., fancy lotion and shower gel) to help your guests avoid the hassle of packing and carrying these items themselves while also making them feel more at home.

Besides basic toiletries, you can also include minor items such as cotton swabs, cotton balls, a loofah, and bath bombs. These items may seem small, but they can make a big difference in helping guests feel refreshed, rejuvenated, pampered, and cared for during their vacation.

As always, if you don’t have time to curate the gift basket yourself, head to Amazon. The spa basket featured above from Lovery is pricier than other options, but it’s more than worth it considering it includes a shower gel, bubble bath, body lotion, bath salt, body scrub, bath oil, a bath towel, and a loofah–all scented with jasmine.

3. Local Activities Basket: Best for City Airbnbs

Is your Airbnb in the middle of a bustling city? A basket filled with local activities and maps is an excellent way to help guests make the most of their stay. Brochures and information on popular local activities such as museums, amusement parks, and outdoor adventures can help your guests discover the best attractions and experiences that your city offers.

This can be helpful for those who are new to the area and may not be familiar with the local sights and activities. Remember to include maps and directions to help your guests get around the city as well. Providing this information in a convenient and organized way can help make their stay stress free.

The biggest downside of a gift basket like this is that you’ll likely have to do it all yourself. Still, places like Amazon can be of great help: for example, you can find maps like the StreetSmart® NYC Map Midtown Edition by Stephan Van Dam featured above. This comprehensive map includes attractions, hotels, and a subway guide.

4. Coffee, Tea, and More Basket: Best for Family-Friendly Stays

Who doesn’t love waking up to coffee or tea? A basket filled with coffee, tea, and other drinks is an excellent way to help families feel at home during their stay at a family-friendly Airbnb. To keep it kid-friendly, provide beverages such as hot chocolate powder or juice boxes too. This can also help your guests relax and unwind after a long day of exploring the local area.

Include your favorite selections in the basket, or purchase a gift set on Amazon (like this 5-pack sample coffee set from Split Oak Coffee Roasters). Etsy also has some great basket ideas: for small Airbnbs catering to couples, we love this coffee for two gift box by Southern Twists Studio that includes two mugs your guests can take home to remind them of a fabulous vacation.

5. Beach Day Basket: Best for Beachside Properties

Properties by the beach or the lake (or even one with a pool) may want to take advantage of the opportunity to provide a gift basket with a theme. Including items such as beach towels, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water bottles can help your guests feel comfortable and prepared for a day in the sun.

Don’t feel limited to just practical items. You can also include some fun and playful items in the beach day basket, too. Consider adding a frisbee, a beach ball, or a book for guests to read while lounging around.

Instead of an actual basket, consider using a beach tote bag to stick with the theme. There are great ones available on Amazon, like Leisureland Canvas Tote Beach Bag featured above. These tote bags aren’t only beach-themed, but they’re also reusable and can act as an eco-friendly souvenir that your guests can take home to remember the vacation by.

6. Reading Basket: Best for Slow-Paced Vacations

A reading gift basket is a thoughtful and unique way to provide guests with a relaxing and enjoyable experience during their stay. Including books, magazines, and other reading materials can help to create a sense of tranquility and calmness in your rental, allowing guests to unwind.

When creating a reading gift basket, consider including a variety of reading materials that cater to different interests and preferences. This can include fiction and non-fiction books, magazines, and newspapers. Or, you can get creative and create a basket centered on a theme, ideally one that relates to your Airbnb or the location your property is in. Either way, a reading gift basket is always appreciated by guests looking to relax.

And if your budget allows, you can even add thoughtful touches, like a pair of fuzzy socks, coffee, a scented candle, or even some chocolate. While these aren’t reading materials, they go hand in hand with books. We especially love the chocolate from zChocolat, a luxury French chocolatier that makes the most delicious creations.

Key Takeaway

Leaving a gift basket in your Airbnb isn’t a necessity, but it’s a surefire way of getting your property to stand out. Every Airbnb host wants to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for their guests, and gift baskets can set that tone right from the start. So take the extra step of providing one–it's a small gesture that can go a long way in creating a positive and memorable experience for your guests.