What would YOU like as a hostess gift for hosting a shower?

I agree. I have too much "stuff." I would rather have something I could use on myself than an item. 

Gift card or flowers. No trinkets or things I need to keep.

I’ve never heard of giving hostess gifts for a shower. I’ve given many showers & the only thing I got or wanted was a thank you.

Now that I think about it, I haven't heard of this either.  Must be something new.  That being said, I would think that a gift certificate to a local coffee/donut shop would probably be appreciated by anyone, and they're not too expensive.

While we're on the subject, though, I have a funny, weird story.  I say weird because my SIL [who is weird in many ways] hosted a baby shower for my step-daughter and asked me [as well as others] to contribute to the cost of the shower.  I must tell you that my DH and I do not get along with this woman and as of now, haven't spoken to her in years.  But that's another story.  Anyway, just to show her we are not cheapskates and wanted my lovely step-daughter to have the best shower ever, we gave her a cheque for $250.

The shower, to be fair, was lovely and the food was great, too.  Lots of hot dishes and salads and goodies, etc.

A couple of weeks later, I was having coffee with my mother-in-law and we started talking about the shower.  She made a comment about how much food and drinks and decorations there had been and that it must have cost a lot to put it on.  I laughed and said "Well, I don't think she put out too much.  I know she asked S. [DH's ex] for money and we gave her $250 as well."  Her mouth dropped open and she exclaimed "What!!??  I gave her $1,000!"

A thank you note or a bouquet of fresh flowers.

No gifts. A thank you note is sufficient.

I gave hostess gifts when I got married.. 20+ years ago... I think any small heatfelt thank you is appreciated.

I’m impressed at how many people said, “Whaddaya mean, a hostess gift?” Hostess gifts in general make my skin crawl. They make me feel like, what, you think I need to be rewarded for hosting you?? A nice thank-you note is lovely.

But usually I’m the only one saying that and everyone else is yelling at me.

I received an order of chocolate covered strawberries from Shari's Berries for hosting a shower recently. Totally unnecessary, but very thoughtful, and they were AMAZING!

Same here too, we always bring something when someone hosts us. Flowers, a bottle of wine, six pack of beer, chocolate, homemade Christmas cookies, depends on who it is and what we know they would like. I would appreciate a small box of very good chocolate and a nice thank you note after the event.

Put me in the camp of when did we start giving gifts for hostessing a shower. In my experience, you host a shower for someone you are very close to and do it because you want to. Why would you expect anything other than a thank you?

Weird.

I am another that has never heard of a hostess gift for a shower. I have hosted or co-hosted about a dozen showers and never received or expected anything more than a thank you.

Around here, hostess gifts are common. I don't think they are expected or necessary, but they are a nice gesture.

My husband and I and three other couples threw a stock the bar shower in May and that couple gave us a small Italian themed basket as a thank you. The basket had olive oil, balsamic vinegar and some other little things in it. (All four couples who gave the shower like to cook and entertain so it was a thoughtful, useful gift). Three of my friends gave a baby shower a couple of weeks ago for a close friend's daughter and she gave us a really fun bath product called Spongelles. (She knew us all well enough to know we'd enjoy something like that).