Apprpriate hostess gifts

jadis96 · #1 09-09-2006, 10:10 PM

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!).

blueangel · #2 09-10-2006, 12:07 AM

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.

jadis96 · #3 09-10-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueangel

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.

CutiePie2000 · #4 09-10-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadis96

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.

adpiucf · #5 09-10-2006, 12:49 PM

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.

Dionysus · #6 09-10-2006, 12:53 PM

People still bring hostesses gifts?

blueangel · #7 09-10-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

People still bring hostesses gifts?

Yes.. good manners are timeless.

Munchkin03 · #8 09-10-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

People still bring hostesses gifts?

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.

CutiePie2000 · #9 09-10-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

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.

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.

xo_kathy · #10 09-11-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueangel

A box of pretty soaps from Crabtree and Evelyn - Eh, I would never put those out. They'd be tossed in the garbage.
A gift pack from Starbucks (coffees, coffee cup, etc) - Not everyone likes coffee
A sushi set - I think this is a big NO. How many people do you know who acutally make sushi at home? Also, you're Chinese - it would be weird to being a Japanese gift
A set of pretty silver napkin rings - You may not get their style right. You risk it never being used
Linen napkins and placemats - You have no idea their decorating style yet. I would give a big NO to this as well
A dried wreath for their door - She above
English teas and scones - Not everyone likes tea.

Those are some of my thoughts in bold on the list posted earlier.

On the "do you always bring a gift" front:
If it's a holiday party, or dinner/BBQ, yes, I always bring something - though I usually ask the hostess what would be helpful. If I'm staying for a weekend or something, then I definitely something for them that can be used after I leave. If it's just my friend who I see every week, then no, I wouldn't bring her something (unless it's a dinner party or something).

CutiePie2000 · #11 09-12-2006, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

A sushi set - I think this is a big NO. How many people do you know who acutally make sushi at home?

I once tried making sushi at home. I had the rolling bamboo mat thingy and everything. It was labour intensive and a big, messy (sticky rice anyone?) PITA.

PhoenixAzul · #12 09-12-2006, 08:20 AM

My swedish neighbor made sushi on a regular basis when I lived in Belfast...it was rather tasty but she was unusually talented at cooking.

Most people tend to bring my parents gift cards to restaurants for parties/events. My mum and dad aren't fancy people, but now that the nest is empty, they can go out and have a date once in a while, and they appreciate the help with that.

blueangel · #13 09-12-2006, 09:08 AM

Just to clarify the bringing food suggestion by some people..

A "hostess gift" is supposed to be something that she can enjoy after you leave. It is not meant to be served at the dinner or luncheon you're attending. Rather, it is meant to be a "thank you" for her fussing.. and for her to enjoy (not for the guests). So yes, can make an appropriate hostess gift if it is something like a box of chocolates or a gourmet pasta basket, rather than a dessert which she'll feel obligated to serve.

blueangel · #14 09-12-2006, 09:12 AM

Sushi isn't hard to make. The key is using the correct rice. If you try to make it with Minute Rice.. forget it! You need to buy the traditional Japanese sticky rice.

A trick is to put plastic on the bamboo mat when you're pressing the rice on it to keep it from sticking to the mat.

AlphaFrog · #15 09-12-2006, 09:12 AM

Ok, I know I'm being petty, but Taualumna, can you go back and spell "appropriate" right for the thread title? I've been looking at it for 3 days, and it's driving me crazy.