You can offer to set the table, cook, wash the dishes, fix something around the house, take the dog for a walk, fold laundry, buy groceries, or run to the liquor store. Even if your host refuses the gesture to be polite, it’s the thought that counts. Tasks you should do automatically: clearing yo...

Bring soap, shampoo, and toothpaste from home. You’ll ensure that you have your favorite products and you won’t need to mooch off your host. At dinner, don’t make one of these 10 table etiquette mistakes.

Don’t be afraid to clarify traditions that may differ from home to home. Should you take your shoes off when you get inside the house? Should you leave the door locked when you leave? Which dishes can you put in the dishwasher?

Make sure you go over the dates of your visit with the host in advance, and be sure to respect their schedule. Clear it with your host first if you want to bring anyone else (a date, children, your dog, etc.).

Be especially careful to clean up after yourself in the kitchen, put down the toilet seat, turn the lights off when you leave a room, and close drawers and cabinets after you open them. There’s nothing worse than having to constantly clean up after your guests, so these small acts will show that ...

On your last day, check the bedroom and bathroom for your belongings. Then, after clearing it with the host, strip the bed before you leave. Wipe down the counters of the bathroom, make sure all used towels are in the laundry, and all borrowed items returned.

The gift can be as simple as sending a bouquet of flowers from a local florist or online service. Make sure you include a handwritten note detailing your thanks.

Bringing a gift for your host is proper guest etiquette, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Try something that you and your host can enjoy together, like a bottle of wine or a box of cookies from your favorite hometown bakery. Or bring something their vacation home needs, like a cozy bla...