Apprpriate hostess gifts

[jadis96]

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]

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]

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]

People still bring hostesses gifts?

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

People still bring hostesses gifts?

Yes.. good manners are timeless.

[Munchkin03]

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.

[jadis96]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

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.

Same here, though normally just for dinner I would stick with something small. If it's a weekend stay they get something nicer (read that as worth more money) normally. Weekend stays normally are gift basket type gifts for me. But for a dinner it;'s normally something small, flowers, candy, a coffee cake for the next day kinda thing.

[Rudey]

I am so glad I don't associate with people that I'd have to worry whether a bottle of wine might upset a recovering alcoholic in their family. ummm yeah.

-Rudey
--Try flowers.

[CutiePie2000]

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.