Tell the family that you would like to pay for a cena (dinner) with them, give them enough money that they can buy enough foodfor a large dinner, salad, dessert... Know that they might invite a few additional of the extended family members... and include a bottle of Johnny Walker Black and a couple of Jumbos of Presidente Light... and enjoy a good Dominican cena with them. It can be a good thank you and a good dinner experience for you...
Hello All,
I'll be staying with my friend's family in Santo Domingo for a few days and wondered what I should give them as a thank you gift. If it makes any difference, it's a husband, a wife and their son in his 20's
Thank you!
First, ask your friend for a gift recommendation. Since you don't know the economic status of the family you may want to bring them something small at first. For example one box of Johnny Walker. Then, at the end of your stay duke them some cash. This also depends your cash flow.
Cash is king and very helpful in DR.
It depends a lot on the family's standard of living. You would want to be careful not to be insulting with gifts of cheap candy or pills if they are a middle class family. Where do they live and what do they do for a living ? Do they travel to the States ?
You can buy MANY American chocolates here in the DR.
All big supermercados, and Price Mart has them
....and still people LUUUV getting them from ABROAD .
Everything else that has been suggested for the OP to bring can also be bought here too anyways. So if you're getting someone a T-shirt,don't, because they sell t-shirts here?
Thanks for all the great suggestions, guys!
A bit more information: they are a middle-class family and own a small restaurant.
I didn't mention that I'm a woman, which may or may not make a difference. They say they don't want money, and while taking them out for dinner sounds like a good option, I don't know if my paying would make them feel uncomfortable.
I will talk to my friend more to see if they like having company over. If so, ordering pizza for everyone could be nice.
I've thought about cooking for them, but if I do that, they may never invite me over again...