June 12, 2023

From Graceful Home
Ruthie Tanner

WHO doesn’t love to find fun surprises in UNexpected places ??

I sure do!!

This time I’m talking about none other than hotel housekeepers!

Their services are greatly needed yet I’m pretty sure I can say they receive little “personal” thanks!

I hope we can change that.

It’s fresh on my mind since we’ve recently stayed in several hotels while traveling across our beautiful state, so I’m sharing my thoughts with you today.

We’ve all certainly benefit from their labor- and notice when things aren’t done.

If you are like me, I enjoy walking into “our home away from home” to find fresh clean towels, trash emptied and the bed made and…things weren’t that way when we left the room earlier!

Although they receive a paycheck at the end of their work week, showing appreciation and act of kindness is always an added bonus- for them as well as the feeling YOU get blessing someone that’s not expecting it.

Every time I pack for a trip, one thing that is included in my luggage is a gift bag for the housekeepers. Also packed are FUN things such as self hand spa treatment, hand lotion, delicious candy, snacks for her break, lip balm, gift card, card of thanks, and even cash.

I’ve included many different items depending on time of year, place, or occasion. For example at our annual ladies conference, I always include something with our logo so they know who we were along with other things.

On vacation one year I found out it was her birthday - I purchased a special cupcake for her and oh my….. her excitement was unbelievable I still remember it 5 years later. She stated, “this has never happened to me before!”

It made my trip a little sweeter to think I brought her joy! She was a complete stranger I’ll never see again but we made a fun memory and difference in her work that day.

Most of the time I leave them in the room but occasionally I hand -deliver them and their expression is priceless.

Another thing I do is place all dirty towels in the tub, make sure all the trash is gathered, and return things I’ve moved around back to their proper place.

I would certainly appreciate this kind gesture if I was entering to clean.

Yes, it’s something out of the norm but if you want to go the extra mile, I suggest to give this a try on your next trip.

You just never know the impact you could have on someone’s day!