Apprpriate hostess gifts
 

I'm meeting my boyfriend's family next weekend and was wondering what an appropriate gift to get his parents is. Mr. Tau and is family are Jewish and not very religious.

Thanks

A bottle of wine (ask him first to make sure that this is an okay gift to bring. If someone in the family is in AA, one of the things that they have to do is make amends to people in their lives that they're wronged, so being in AA is not exactly kept secret. So if someone is in AA, he would know about it. And then you just bring something else. Maybe some flowers for his Mom.)

There's a chocolate factory here that won't ship to other cities (Sarris, for the 'burg folk), so I usually take Sarris Candy as a hostess gift. It's something that most people on meds can enjoy, too - unless they're diabetic. In fact, I have so many friends in Columbus who love it that I'll let them know when I'm coming in, and they'll tell me what to bring!

If I know they're diabetic, I either take sugar free Sarris ( :D ) or flowers.

I agree with CP2000. A bottle of wine is a good hostess gift, unless you know that the recipient is a recovering alcoholic or just plain doesn't drink, in which case flowers or a houseplant would be good.

Hey guys, thanks for the tips. We're actually going out-of-town, so it isn't just a dinner thing.

I would bring a bottle of wine and a nice box of candy or something that is unique to the area where you live. If his parents don't live in Canada, I would bring them lox. Jewish people love lox.

My aunt always does this and I think it's really nice, she always picks something that fits ther person... a nice candle from Yankee candles and a candle holder is what my mom always gets, but for me she goes crazy at Bath adn Bodyworks. Try asking your bf what is something special to his mom that might be tailored to her. For example is she cooks maybe some gourmet selections from William Sanoma (I like their bread mixes!).

Personally, I'm not a big fan of wine as a gift. Unless you know the person, it can be a bit of a dicey gift. A lot of people don't drink wine-- many are allergic (tannic acid), some are recovering alcoholics, and some are morally against alcoholic beverages. Then you get the wine snobs who REALLY know their wine and may make a judgement about you by what you buy. So if you know they like wine... go to a knowlegable wine shop and get some recommendations.


Rather than wine, here are a few other hostess gift ideas

A box of pretty soaps from Crabtree and Evelyn
A gift pack from Starbucks (coffees, coffee cup, etc)
A sushi set
A small basket of gourmet items
A small elegent picture frame with a picture of the two of you
A flower arrangement (not a loose bouquet, as that will force the hostess to find a vase, cut the stems, put them in water-- she has enough to do)
If she likes to garden, a gardening book
A potted plant
A box of high-end chocolates
A set of cheese spreaders with a few nice cheeses and gourmet crackers
A set of pretty silver napkin rings
Linen napkins and placemats
A silver guest towel tray
A dried wreath for their door
A recipe box
A cookbook holder
English teas and scones

And.. be sure to send a hand-written thank you note when you return. If you stayed at their house, a nice bouquet of flowers is a nice touch as well.

These are all great ideas, but I would be wary of "A small elegent picture frame with a picture of the two of you" unless you have been together a long time.

Yes, I definitely agree, and you may trigger the "photograph" curse: i.e. get a photo taken with a new (or new'ish) boyfriend, & next thing you know, you've broken up. I've seen it happen more than once.

You could also get a cute teapot and some expensive loose tea from one of those "designer tea" shops. We have Murchie's out west, but I can't think of one in the T-Dot, since I haven't lived there for 5 years now.

Bring a nice box of chocolates or a baked good as a dessert.

/I can qualify this statement b/c I grew up in a Jewish household

Also, be prepared to be embarrassed for bringing a gift. They'll accept it, but the mom will make a huge fuss and flurry about that you shouldn't have, oh it was just so nice of you to do that, Harry come see what the nice chicksa brought us, etc.

People still bring hostesses gifts?

Yes.. good manners are timeless.

LOL at the shiksa comment. HA HA!

Also, be sure to send a thank you note AFTERWARDS. This is a huge one. If you stayed overnight at their place, or if you have dinner at their house, be sure to send a handwritten thank you note--this is a HUGE one.

Yes. I normally bring something if invited to dinner, and definitely if I'm invited to someone's home for a weekend. Basically, the only time I don't bring something for my host is if it's an emergency thing (and I usually send something later), or if I'm shacking, or if I'm going to visit my parents.