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Post by PNWMom on Dec 17, 2017 5:12:29 GMT
I am stumped here. We're going to a Christmas Eve brunch and Seahawks game watching party at my husband's best friend's parents house. Read that twice.....basically, he spent a lot of time at their home throughout high school, to the point where he had a dedicated seat at the table and they are legit family for him. His friend won't even be at this gathering--just the parents and other adult siblings, SOs, etc. A dozen or so people.
Anyway. I've gotta come up with some sort of gift to bring. This couple is in the 70's, but very active--riding horses, etc. They have money. Lots of money. They moved earlier this year into a Victorian mansion and remodeled it. There are priceless antiques everywhere, from all around the world (he was an executive for Caterpillar and a few other companies over the years. They've been based out of England and Singapore, etc for years). The wife cooks gourmet meals. Like, way fancy. Also, she has/had a very significant alcohol addiction, so alcohol related things are out.
So, I can't bring anything alcohol related; no knick-knacks, etc.....what on earth do I bring? My only thought is to stop by the Pike Street market and get a bouquet of fresh flowers to bring with us (they used to have a condo right by there and often had those flowers in their home--they now live about an hour away).
Any other suggestions? They literally have all the nice things. Every fancy kitchen gadget imaginable. There is a $10k Provence Blue double oven in their freshly remodeled kitchen. They (she) have exquisite taste and I can't think of any 'thing' that would be good to give.
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scrappinghappy
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Post by scrappinghappy on Dec 17, 2017 5:15:56 GMT
Harry and David dried fruit platter. W received this and loved it
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Post by mlynn on Dec 17, 2017 5:16:28 GMT
Gourmet food items in a basket.
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Post by honeyb on Dec 17, 2017 5:16:59 GMT
If you are going to Pike Place Market, flowers are great, but maybe Chukar Cherries in the Market or some smoke salmon from the Made in Washington Store in Post Alley? Something consumable?
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Post by nlwilkins on Dec 17, 2017 5:20:32 GMT
Maybe something hand made? Does your husband have any hobbies that allow him to make them something? I say husband cause he is the one with the longest history with the couple. If he doesn't maybe you do? crochet? embroidery? A vintage style recipe book for her to put her recipes in perhaps? Or perhaps just some handmade fancy recipe cards?
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Post by lucyg on Dec 17, 2017 5:22:27 GMT
Yes, something "consumable" ... either food, flowers, candy, coffee, soap, notecards ... something that won't stick around forever.  OR ... this never goes over well with the peas, BUT ... honest to goodness, a hostess gift every time you walk in someone's door is NOT imperative. Unless you know for sure this is something important to her, I doubt she cares whether you bring a gift or not. |
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Post by honeyb on Dec 17, 2017 5:29:03 GMT
Is she a tea drinker? Also at the Market they have great tea at Market Spice at Pike Place. If she lived near there, I'm just trying to think of what she might miss at the Market.
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Post by dewryce on Dec 17, 2017 5:32:35 GMT
Consumables are always a pretty safe bet. Is there any chance your husband has an old photograph with them included? You could make a copy/enlargement at Walgreen's and frame it.
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Post by PNWMom on Dec 17, 2017 5:35:58 GMT
I'm definitely crafty (my husband is definitely not)......but I work full time and am a first time mom to a 7 month old baby. I'm lucky if I manage to send my daughter to daycare in matching clothes every day. There is zero time for craftiness.
I know they won't actually care if we bring anything, but this is their fancy Christmas Eve family gathering and our first time being invited (they were living in the Midwest for the past 4 or 5 years), and I just want to come with something in hand.
I will look into Harry and David--that fancy platter sounds like a good option. Definitely liking the idea of bringing a 'consumable' gift and not something that will stick around.
Thank you!
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Post by Suziee2 on Dec 17, 2017 17:30:46 GMT
I vote for something from Harry and David (pears? fruit and nut assortment?) or a potted Christmas plant/planter along with a very nice Christmas card.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,490
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Dec 17, 2017 18:29:42 GMT
I'd do a plant, either a rosemary "Christmas tree" from trader Joe's or an Orchid (tjs or Costco).
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Post by LilyRose on Dec 17, 2017 18:44:12 GMT
Consumables are always a pretty safe bet. Is there any chance your husband has an old photograph with them included? You could make a copy/enlargement at Walgreen's and frame it. I think ALL of the ideas mentioned here so far are great, but was just coming to add the photo idea too ( dewryce beat me to it). A picture of your husband as a boy with the family would be a lovely momento. Perhaps have him even write a sentence or two about how he enjoyed those childhood times. Given that you’re being included in the family holiday and haven’t done this in years, I think such a gift would be a sweet token. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Dec 17, 2017 18:45:56 GMT
I use flowers as a hostess gift. I usually buy 2-3 boquets at the store, group them and then tie them with a ribbon. Choose just one type of flower if you aren't good at arranging flowers. I usually go with a white flower at this time of the year, with a red ribbon. Simple and the strong contrast is pretty.
There's another thread about hostess gifts and many said that they would have to dig a vase out of some back cupboard and so would prefer a live plant. So that's another choice. Personally, I have a cupboard for vases right next to my sink, so that's not an issue.
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Post by lexilu on Dec 17, 2017 19:01:45 GMT
Fresh flowers from Pike Market sounds great. So does chocolate covered cherries, smoked salmon and dipping herbs. Pinterest has a lot of ideas www.pinterest.com/pikeplacemarket/ |
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Post by peasapie on Dec 17, 2017 19:06:48 GMT
A bottle of good balsamic vinegar from Williams Sonoma. It's about the size of a bottle of wine and it's delicious over strawberries, salads and even ice cream. It is almost syrup - aged 25 years.
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TankTop
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Post by TankTop on Dec 17, 2017 19:12:18 GMT
I would do a special ornament and have dh write them a nice letter to go with it to symbolize all they have meant to him. Maybe a miniature chair ornament with a note explaining how much that small gesture has meant to him.
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Post by PNWMom on Dec 19, 2017 3:11:33 GMT
So many good ideas!! Thank you all!
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Loydene
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Post by Loydene on Dec 19, 2017 3:14:57 GMT
Rather than Harry and David - which seems so generic -- hand pick out some items from the Market -- you said they lived there so that is more specific to them.
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craftymom101
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Post by craftymom101 on Dec 19, 2017 3:15:55 GMT
TankTop I think the ornament idea is a great one. I gifted a friend of mine an ornament from Seattle the last time we went to the space needle and she loved it.
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ellen
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Post by ellen on Dec 19, 2017 3:27:53 GMT
A bottle of good balsamic vinegar from Williams Sonoma. It's about the size of a bottle of wine and it's delicious over strawberries, salads and even ice cream. It is almost syrup - aged 25 years. I would love that. SaveSave |
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Post by annaintx on Dec 19, 2017 3:34:06 GMT
Fresh flowers from the market are always fantastic!!!! I love the idea of consumables from the market area...chukkar cherries, salmon, tea, there's that cheese shop over there, too. Enjoy!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 19, 2017 3:41:39 GMT
A bottle of good balsamic vinegar from Williams Sonoma. It's about the size of a bottle of wine and it's delicious over strawberries, salads and even ice cream. It is almost syrup - aged 25 years. This, or if you have a local place that sells gourmet olive oils infused with different flavors that would be a nice option too. |
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Post by papersilly on Dec 19, 2017 4:26:33 GMT
I would try and find a photo of their Victorian home in its early days. Maybe a photo of their street. Or an antique map of their neighborhood.
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Post by caspad on Dec 19, 2017 16:36:05 GMT
what about something Seahawks related? Like a white poinsettia with a tiny #12 flag in it or a Seahawks balloon or with a blue/green/white ribbon?
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by basketdiva on Dec 19, 2017 16:47:55 GMT
TankTop I think the ornament idea is a great one. I gifted a friend of mine an ornament from Seattle the last time we went to the space needle and she loved it. Unless you know their tree decorating style, I would pass on an ornament. Maybe a tray of nuts and dried fruit to nibble- they can put them out to share during the game or save for another time. |
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Post by scrappysurfer on Dec 20, 2017 17:57:09 GMT
A bottle of good balsamic vinegar from Williams Sonoma. It's about the size of a bottle of wine and it's delicious over strawberries, salads and even ice cream. It is almost syrup - aged 25 years. This, or if you have a local place that sells gourmet olive oils infused with different flavors that would be a nice option too. Yes to both of these. A good aged balsamic vinegar but a plain olive oil because you don’t know their taste. |
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