Apprpriate hostess gifts

[xo_kathy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by blueangel

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.

Most people don't like sushi, though; they don't want to eat it when someone else makes it, let alone trying to make it themselves.

I'd still go with wine and flowers, but hey if you can be more creative than that, more power to you.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Most people don't like sushi, though; they don't want to eat it when someone else makes it, let alone trying to make it themselves.

I'd still go with wine and flowers, but hey if you can be more creative than that, more power to you.

No.. I didn't say to make sushi as a gift! I had suggested a sushi set as a hostess gift. Someone else had mentioned that they had trouble making sushi.. so the thread drifted a bit.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled suggestions on hostess gifts!

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by blueangel

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.

I *was* using the correct rice. I went to a "Learn to Make Sushi" seminar offered by the Japan Exchange Club. And I did the pressing thing, and I even used saran wrap around the bamboo mat to make "inside out" rolls. Ehn......in the end, too much work, too much hassle, and the sushi that you can buy in my city is on par with what you'd eat in Japan (we have a lot of Japanese restaurants here and a lot of Japanese tourists too).

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Holy crap, just ask dude what they like and get it.

Ha ha...yeah, but if she did that, I don't think her boyfriend's mother wants a hockey jersey. LOL

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I love sushi much more than the average person does. It's pretty much the only food that I could eat for the rest of my life and not get sick of. However, if someone were to give me a sushi set as a gift, I would have no use for it whatsoever.

When are you coming to visit me? Where I live, the sushi is CHEAP and GOOD. (the ocean is "right there", so the fish is FRESH, baby!)

[AlphaFrog]

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.

[tunatartare]

Wow. I didn't notice until you said something, and I'm the grammar snob.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by blueangel

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.

Yes, but Jewish hostesses are a whole other ballgame. Trust me.

[CrimsonTide4]

Do they enjoy reading? Get them a nice coffee table book.