Is it proper to tip maids with other than money?

I always leave cash tips for the maids and never anything else. However, I have known people who would leave a cash tip and also leave things such as an unopened box of chocolates, unopened soda/water bottles, unused coupons, etc. Most recently on the QOD a person left a slightly used coffee maker for the maid. Are these items left as tips appropriate articles of tips for the maids or would you think the maids consider these gifts insulting? I might consider it appropriate if in addition to cash tips the maid is asked if she wants certain articles or items and if she answers with a resounding, "Yes," then by all means give it to her. But making the assumption that the maid would want your left-over stuff in my opinion would be a mistake. The maid may see your left-over stuff and consider it is rubbish or junk even though you held it as valuable. Two different perspectives.

I have left gifts many times but always with cash. I never leave any freebies or gifts given by the hotel/casino as they may be apprehensive about them. We leave unopened candy, snacks or little toys for their children.

I think gift cards are horrible for any gift giving at any time. It's like telling someone "I wanted to buy you a gift and was too lazy to do that but I can control where you buy your own".

I sometimes give them the "day off," ask them to mark my room as done and not have them do any work.

Without knowing the person, I wouldn't give a gift card to a specific store. If I knew xyz store was someone's favorite, I'd gladly purchase a gift card to that store.

I wonder what the policy would be for them to keep this stuff. The hotel may not let them, not knowing if it was left in the room accidentally, or it was a "gift" to them.

Tammi from N. GA.

Leave them a puppy. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Cash? Some things are more valuable than cash.
I leave them all my unused coupons from the American Casino Guide.
Thats like a $300 value, my friend ! She can see Crazy Girls at the Riviera at a deeply discounted price.

where is the best place to leave your tip for the maid?

Money on a pillow or under an ashtray. Puppies in the bathroom.

I had summited a QOD which I never seen answered but maybe I missed it. I asked a lot of maid questions. How many rooms do they clean? Do they share tips? Should you tip daily or at the end of your trip? I have tipped daily but some places they take it and some they do not take it till the end of the trip. If they do not share tips this does not seem fair a maid could clean your room two days then is off on your last day so get no tip. Do they always clean the same rooms each day.

Some hotel rooms have a tip envelope for the maid around the night stand.

I give them the day off too... find them in the hall, exchange towels, thank them with a smile.

Also leave all your loose change in the envelope before heading to the airport and security.