What's a good thank you present?

[Neolara]

As our house is in the final stages of being renovated, we are currently staying in a friend's house while they are on an extended holiday. We'll probably be here for about a month in total. I'd like to get them something nice as a thank you present on their return. Any ideas?

Fortnum & Mason hamper

John Lewis vouchers, garden centre vouchers, treats that support a hobby (tickets plus night in hotel).

Meal out for two/family. Family day at the zoo/theatre. Full fridge and feeezer for their return. Spotless house with gardened lawn.

In agreement with the hamper suggestions

Vouchers for their fav restaurant. F&M hampers are really pricey, I think you could get better value elsewhere.

2 things.

Have the house professionally cleaned on your exit.

Buy them a fortnum and mason hamper.

Vouchers for a fancy restaurant
Naice candle
Wine
Tickets to a theatre show

Thank you all for your suggestions. I hadn't considered a hamper and I think that's a great idea. I'd thought about the cleaning option but discarded it after one too many threads on MN of people who have been very put out by visitors getting out the duster. It's seems that it's often interpreted as passive aggressive criticism of the home owners standard of cleanliness!

Really?
Seriously - if you and your famiky have been solely living in someone elses house the kindest thibg is to get it ir at least offer for it to be professionally cleaned when you leave

Absolutely no one i know would take offence at that gesture

A good present is something that the recipient doesn't feel obliged to hold onto, e.g. food (because once eaten, the clutter is gone).

Whilst living there is there something you noticed they didn't have which would add to their home? Also write a really warm hand-written letter to thank them.

A month..for no rent..that's a serious thank you present you need to get.

Case of wine, £500 voucher or similar

Absolutely no one i know would take offence at that gesture

I would. I do not want strangers in my house messing with my things and will not have a cleaner in.

I couldn't give a shit what anyone thinks to that, my house my choice.

But the op has spent the last month living in the house, Joy, do you seriously imagine she'll cause offence by cleaning it?
Professional clean, hamper and voucher, op.
A month in a hotel would have cost you serious money.

If I was away and someone was living in my house whilst I was away, I would like to come home to a clean tidy house. I think maybe I would take slight offence to someone thinking it required a professional clean, but a wipe over the surfaces, a quick wipe of the bathroom and a vacuum around would be appreciated.
Also if I was staying in someone else's home I would make sure all the used bed linen (and towels etc) was washed and put away and that the beds all had fresh linen.
I'd also love to come home to a fridge full of fresh food after being away for so long! One less thing to have to do when they come back.

If someone did the above for me, I would be happy. An actual gift of a hamper, event tickets etc would be a bonus. But then again, I like the practical.

But the op has spent the last month living in the house, Joy, do you seriously imagine she'll cause offence by cleaning it?

You really don't get it do you?

My house, I get to choose who I trust to come into it and that doesn't include my bedroom, dressing room or bathroom. Guests use the guest room and bathroom and are invited by ME.

It is not up to somebody else to decide who should have access to all of my home. Hopefully that makes it a bit clearer for you to understand.

Well presumably you'd never allow guests sole access to your home in that case, as op's friends have done?

By definition, op has been allowed "access to all of their home" already
Your situation (the one I don't get ) is not remotely similar. That I do get.

Of course I would if I trusted them, just to use the guest areas. It's freaky not that difficult to understand, even when f you don't feel the same way.