AirBnB Guest terminal illness

[Zazz101]

Hi, I am looking for suggestions. I rent out my house on airBnB and I have just found out that my next guest has a terminal illness.

They have organised a family get together. I would love to do something to make this an extra special time for them all. I know I could just knock money off the house, but they are wanting to make memories, and I would like to do something to ensure it’s a lovely holiday for them.

My only contact is the person that is ill, so I cannot ask them for any ideas.

so please, if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Do you know why they chose your area? Any special, local things?

Are they coming over Christmas? Is the property full on decorated, even the bedrooms? I'd go full on American Christmas movie. Then there's chocolate/biscuit hampers etc.

That's such a lovely idea. How about leaving a nice hamper of treats or tickets to a local attraction?

You are having very kind thoughts, but perhaps consider that they don't want any fuss?
If you really feel the need to do something, could you decorate the reception room with pretty flowers or like Christmas or with candles?
If that is not appropriate, please leave your "guests" to do their own thing.

Aw OP, that’s given me the warm fuzzies 🥹 how lovely of you to want to do something nice for them!

If they’re having a festive family get-together, I’d put a decorated Christmas tree in there, Christmassy bits/lights/candles around the place. A bottle or two of something for them to share, some biscuits/chocolate, Christmas films on DVD for them to put on in the evenings?

If the person themselves has told you that they are ill, they have already shared that with you freely. I would honestly just ask them if there’s anything you can do to help make it extra special for them.

Thank you so much for the replies. I am very conscious of not imposing, so I’m a bit reluctant to organise anything. It’s in the run up to Christmas, so I will definitely decorate the house. I like the idea of a super nice goodie hamper.

I wonder if I could offer to cook a meal one night, so they can all just relax ?
Maybe an early Christmas dinner. Just thinking out loud really.

And if they don't celebrate Christmas? It's already obnoxiously inescapable in December.

From speaking to the person, they do celebrate Christmas, I think that’s why they are wanting a family get together.

My husband and I were away recently , and he too has a terminal illness . We would have loved something like a hamper or bunch of flowers to make the stay extra special , so I imagine your guests might too. You sound a lovely thoughtful person .

Don't cook them a meal, it's too intrusive.

But a goodie hamper sounds nice!

Agree with you but also it could be those shared house Air BnBs and the family wouldn't be able to have a homecooked Christmas meal otherwise and would have to eat takeaways or something

What a lovely idea.

I think you've got it @Zazz101
Decorate, food hamper (wine, sparkling, non-alcoholic fizz, fruit, gourmet choccies &bikkies, maybe a meat/cheese platter with baguettes, a dessert/sugar cookies). Now, I'm thinking aloud! ☺️
I love your style and you've captured the Christmas spirit perfectly.
Thanks for the warm fuzzies. 🩷

How about trimming up with Christmas decorations? A house always feels more cosy.

Also agree with the goodie hamper idea. Could you get some cheap board games from Amazon for them to play and maybe a couple of those disposable cameras that they would need to develop so they have some proper photos for the memories.

This is such a lovely thoughtful idea!
I agree on decorations and a nice hamper. Love the idea of the disposable cameras too for memories. A nice note with it would be a lovely touch.

I wouldn’t want you there if it were me. It would be a bit intrusive. We don’t know what stage of the illness the person is in. They may be wanting to hang out while they are still well enough to do things.
What about an Übereats/Deliveroo voucher instead?
You might also want to make a little folder of local restaurants, takeaways and conveniences like Doctors, Pharmacies, Hospitals, Wine Shop, Places of Interest/Things to Do and ensure that their numbers (including after hours if applicable) and opening hours are listed. Personal recommendations and opinions are a nice idea there too.
Also leave some board games or puzzles in case the weather is awful or they just want to stay in and hang out together.

Seconding that a small instant photo printer or polaroid (to be returned of course) or disposable cameras would be a lovely idea!

Printing out photos is a hassle. I know from recent experience of loss that having the memories sorted and already available to look at is really comforting.

If they're all jumbled up in a phone or computer or Cloud somewhere, it can be something you start avoiding instead (not just out of admin dread but fear of grief etc).

@Fraaahnces OP might live there. But vouchers sound nice. Since she's local, if the family can't cook there, a voucher to a local restaurant she knows is good (and will be open on Christmas Day) might be nice?

I wouldn’t go full on hamper because they will come with their own favourite foods, but I would get something like extra nice local shortbread, tea and coffee, and I’d make the place look extra christmassy. The other reason I’d avoid going overboard is because they might tell all their friends about your generosity and they’ll book, expecting a hamper and a free home cooked dinner.

A hamper of consumables which add to their relaxation and being left to their own devices is what I would find most respectful. Time with each other is their altimate aim.

You sound like both a lovely person and AirB&B host💐.

Could you contact the person who made the booking (the person who is terminally ill) and say that you need a secondary/emergency contact in case there is a problem with their phone… and then maybe reach out to that person with your thoughts? It’s a lovely idea and super kind of you

I'd simply ask if they had any special requests before they arrive. Then I'd give them the stay for free and keep out the way.

Very nice gesture but be careful of over stepping. Cooking a meal is too much. Decorate the house nicely and buy a few Christmas treats for them in a nice hamper

You are such a lovely, thoughtful person OP. Like others, a hamper or some treats they could share. Or what about some kind of game that is either fun or requires people to ask questions and find out more about each other. Or else a background and some props so they can create their own photobooth pictures for memories