It’s that time of year when you’ll most likely be going to parties and get-togethers with family and friends. Some of you will drive down the street while others may travel across the country or even further away. I will both host and visit others and love every minute of it. I will always get tired and welcome help in the process. I also know money doesn’t grow on trees, and not everyone can afford a ‘hostess’ or ‘host’ gift. My mom taught me some great ways to help those who’ve been kind enough to welcome you into their homes during the most beautiful time of the year. Here are some easy things you can do. Yes, from CEO to college student or long lost cousin or friend, you can gift someone without spending money. Let me also state the obvious, you just being you is a wonderful gift and showing up to the party or get-together yes, that’s awesome. You can also say thank you and be respectful in ways that many have forgotten.

Strip the bed

  1. Strip the Bed – If you stay the night, remember to stip the bed the next day or at the end of your stay and take your dirty sheets to the laundry room. It might take you 10 minutes, but it can be a big help. Also, if you’re staying with family for sure, put fresh linens on the bed.

2. Take the trash out – Don’t even ask. You see, it’s full. You know what to do, so do it and in the process, ask where a fresh trash bag is so you can place it inside the now empty trash can.

3. Hang up your bath towel after you use it – If you are staying more than one night, you can reuse it for sure. If you’re not staying the night, then take your dirty towels to the washer or laundry room. Obviously, do the same whenever your stay ends.

4. Say, thank you. You can leave a note or give a hug. But any thank you, verbal, text message or written note, goes a long way.

Now, if you want a few gift ideas that do cost money click here to read about four of my favorite things for a few ideas.