With the season of holiday entertaining upon us, the question often comes up, "What should I bring as a hostess/host gift?"
The hostess gift need not be expensive -- somewhere in the range of $5-20 is fine. It can be something like a small box of quality chocolates or mixed nuts, or other item you know will be of interest to the hostess/host. Small, local specialty vendors are great places to shop for such gifts. Here are some other ideas:
- Gourmet coffee beans or a bean grinder for the coffee achiever
- Kitchen gadget, apron, or latest celebrity cookbook for the cooking fan
- A pricey spice like saffron for the cooking fan Coffee table book
- Note cards from the local art museum
- Specialty glasses or mugs
- Addition to a hostess/host's collectibles
- Amaryllis bulb
- Scrapbooking supplies for the scrapbooker
- DVD, music CD or book
- Gift basket with a theme (football fan, post-party pampering, gourmet cheese...)
- Puzzle or a board game (Not to be played at the party - no one else has the right to kill someone else's party with, "Hey, I brought Pictionary...")
Bringing flowers may impose on an already busy hostess/host, who must find a vase and get the flowers into water. If you would like to give flowers, send them ahead of time.
The intent is to bring an item that can be enjoyed by your hostess/host at a later time. Do not pick up an appetizer, dessert or bottle of wine that you intend to be served, as it disrupts the already planned menu. And do not reclaim the unused bottle of wine or food item that you brought on your way out.
Thank you to our friends at the Culture & Manners Institute for this great tip!
