Ways Of Expressing Appreciation To Your Host Family

Our relationships with others are what enrich our lives. Take time to show the people who make your life better how much you appreciate them and how much they matter.  And ALWAYS choose to have a positive attitude!

Here are some really simple ways to show your appreciation for your host family:

1. A heartfelt thank-you note/card thanking your host family for having you!
2. Bake muffins for breakfast in the morning
3. Fresh cut flowers for your host mother
4. Offer to help without being asked
5. Cook a meal so they don’t have to after a long day at work.
6. Offer to play a game with the kids while your host parents do something they enjoy.
7. Give a hug. Yes- it can be that simple. 
8. Tell them what you think they are particularly great at.
9. Write notes to leave on the fridge, a computer keyboard, or in a lunch box.
10. Give them a handmade gift.
11. Offer to do an extra chore or two (clean the extra bathroom, help with dishes on a night you’re not supposed to)
    • Say “Thank You” for the things they do for you!
    • Offer to do an extra chore without being asked
    • Clean the extra bathroom
    • Help with dishes (wash them or empty dishwasher)
    • Wash the family car
    • Wash windows
    • Clean up the garage
    • Rake leaves
    • Pull weeds
    • Give the dog a bath
    • Clean the cat’s litter box
    • Shovel snow
    • When the trash can is full, empty it (without being told to!!)
    • Fold the clean laundry
    • Sweep the outside porch, deck, sidewalk or driveway
12. When you see your host parents doing household chores, ask them to show you how to do it
13. Bake muffins for breakfast in the morning
14. Cook a meal or dessert (from your home country or a new American favorite…maybe for the HM’s birthday or after a long week of work)
15. Offer to play a game with your host siblings kids or read a story to them while your host parents do something they enjoy
16. Give your host mom flowers for no apparent reason (can be purchased at the local grocery store or even wildflowers growing along the road)
17. Acknowledge holidays (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day) or birthdays with a small gift/card
18. Write a thank-you note for no apparent reason but just to express your thoughts about everything they have done for you
19. Give them a framed picture
20. Offer to Babysit your host sibling so your host parents can enjoy dinner or a movie out by themselves (your idea, not theirs!!)
21. Create Coupons for host family to redeem (i.e. This Coupon entitles you to one free chore)
22. Show genuine concern for your host family (ask how their day was…and listen to their reply.)
23. If you see a host family member making a meal for the family, ask if you can help
24. When you are getting a snack/drink for yourself, ask if you can get something for anyone else
25. If a host family member has a hobby they are proud of, ask them to share it with you
26. Say “Thank You” for the things they do for you – ex. transportation, at the end of a meal