:)

Have I been that MIA? This real world/career thing sure is a time suck...

As a wife of a recovering alcoholic (and this is not a secret), I'm always sort of perplexed when people bring me wine as a hostess gift. It's ok that they do because then I'll have some in the house for when I need it (since I rarely buy it for myself), but it could easily be that I'd be throwing it away the minute they walked out the door. This is just to serve as a reminder that people for many reasons (religion, diabetes, alcoholism, allergies, empty calories) don't drink wine.

However, a hostess gift is a nice gesture, and a thank you the next day shows real class.

Are these people that know you well?

While something is "not a secret," that also doesn't mean people talk about it/think about it all the time. That would cut in on their thinking about themselves.

33, again, you're a NUT. In my case, it's no big deal, but I'm using it as an example that alcohol might not be completely appreciated - although likely it would be just fine. Just food for thought - or beverage for thought!

I like wine, but sadly some I am allergic to, same goes for flowers, but if you do buy some bring them ready to go in a vase (receptacle) because you never know if the host/ess has one on hand, nor do you want to make extra work for them.

If you have the lead time for an order and the mail to ship, I think this would be a pretty awesome gift http://www.shakespearesden.com/book-...ne-charms.html and useful for the future or maybe even that night!

Leslie Anne: I'm sorry that you aren't close by. You could go into my dinner/housewarming/gift exchange closet. I have everything from: beautiful soaps, Christmas serving plates, crystal (modern) cake plates, serving pieces, beautiful candles, Chanukah candles and fancy tapers. You could choose. And we are not talking expensive stuff: range is from $4 (on sale) to $40 (annual gift exchanges==Nambe on sale).

And yes, when we have a wedding in the year I stalk the stores/registries and Geary's for their on sale nice items.


My mother said that you never go empty handed, so I'm prepared.

And, I said this on a different thread here: When I was 18 I was seated next to a gentleman, very famous, for a formal lunch. I was naturally shy then. We began talking and he was LOVELY. When I confessed how nervous I had been he said to me, "Always ask the person that you are speaking with about the most brilliant and fascinating person they know: themselves. You will be known as a brilliant conversationalist." He was right. :)

Excellent ideas & quote, ellebud!

I usually take a small basket of muffins and tell the hostess that they're for breakfast the next day (when they don't feel like doing much after a party). I usually make them, but if not, know of several good bakeries with a good selection!

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and tips. It went very well.

VandalSquirrel - I absolutely love Shakespeare's Den. I'll definitely be shopping there this Christmas!

So glad it went well! What did you decide to take?

Loved some of the ideas mentioned here from everyone; good to add to the what-to-bring list.

Went to a party myself last week--knew that many were bringing wine, so I brought something different. Margarita flavored mixers b/c I knew that the hostess often serves mixed drinks.