momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,151
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Jun 15, 2021 20:46:01 GMT
We've been invited out on a few occasions recently to friends/relatives homes. Some with food allergies, so it got me thinking on host gifts.
I'd love some new, fun ideas for some things you give your host...
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Post by dewryce on Jun 15, 2021 21:23:31 GMT
I think the last time we went to an event like that was Thanksgiving 2019 at a cousin’s house. They entertain often so we got them a charcuterie board. It’s great because you can write on it. Slate Charcuterie Board.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,727
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jun 15, 2021 22:02:06 GMT
I just sent my aunt a pretty florist arrangement the day before we went to their party. She loved it.
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Post by mikewozowski on Jun 15, 2021 23:55:37 GMT
wine, bottle of liquor, candle, hand towels.
i had someone bring me some pretty paper napkins once for a very informal invite. it was nice and totally unexpected.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jun 16, 2021 0:02:43 GMT
Depending on the person/people, I usually bring a bottle of alcohol or box of chocolates or someother chocolate/candy type treat(chocolate covered pretzels or strwaberries).
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,527
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jun 16, 2021 0:26:13 GMT
I love to get cutesy little hostess bowls/spoon/spatula sets from Mud Pie if I think the person will like that sort of thing. They have so many cute things with clever phrases and words engraved. Everyone I have given these to loves them. I have never ordered from the website as I have a few local stores that sell them, so you may have seen them around, too. www.mudpie.com/home/entertaining/condiment-dishes
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,151
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Jun 16, 2021 0:59:27 GMT
Love all of the ideas so far...it's been so long since we've been anywhere that it seems so foreign to have to think of these things again.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 16, 2021 1:37:22 GMT
A succulent in a cute pot.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jun 16, 2021 1:41:54 GMT
Our Costco’s here in Alberta sell Martenelli Sparkling apple juice at Christmas time. Four bottles for around $12.00’and when it is on sale for around $8.00. The local grocery store sells a bottle for $7.50. Sometimes, we put in some dehydrated parsley from our garden and maybe a small box of chocolates. People love the Parsley and often give us the bottle back to refill.
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Post by MichyM on Jun 16, 2021 1:44:46 GMT
I just sent my aunt a pretty florist arrangement the day before we went to their party. She loved it. Love the idea of sending the day before. That way the hostess isn’t trying to find a vase/re-arranging things/the table/a side board or whatever to display the flowers while also trying to juggle the hi, how are yous and the would you like something to drink and whatever else is on their plate at the moment that the guest(s) arrive. I am totally stealing this!
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 16, 2021 10:07:40 GMT
My go to is flowers. I’ve always lived near a grocery store with a good selection, so I’ll buy that and then wrap it in a pretty ribbon. It looks great and it’s cheaper than having flowers delivered.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jun 16, 2021 11:55:04 GMT
This time of year, I often do a flowering potted plant. Most people have a spot outside that can use a bit of color. I received a beautiful hanging petunia basket recently from a girlfriend who spent a few nights with us.
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 16, 2021 14:49:33 GMT
Wine if we know they drink. Flowers if they don’t or we are unsure.
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Post by scrapmaven on Jun 16, 2021 15:26:23 GMT
I bring flowers and wine.
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Post by Katie on Jun 16, 2021 15:27:45 GMT
Today the daily deal on QVC is a set of nice cooler bags. I am ordering a set so I can have them on hand for hostess and birthday gifts.
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Post by CardBoxer on Jun 16, 2021 19:18:28 GMT
I’m a fan of things that don’t stay - flowers (if no allergies or a specific cat who can soar higher than seemingly possible), wine for wine drinkers, etc. Chocolates or baked goods, a food kit that’s purchased or put together if knowing their taste - soup, baked goods, etc.
As a house guest (not that I’ve done that in forever), I’d make a card with a gift card holder, and add a certificate or gift card to one of their favorite stores or restaurants, something that shows I’ve paid attention.
I don’t think I’ve kept a thank you gift in the last couple decades, no matter how thoughtful or adorable. Either it’s the giver’s taste and not mine, or I have the item already, sometimes multiples, and I’m in decluttering more than collecting mode.
Maybe part of it is stage of life? I have all the ______ that I need, and what I want probably wouldn’t be known by a guest. But if I was a LOT younger, most any gift would be appreciated. YMMV
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jun 16, 2021 19:34:23 GMT
I’m a fan of things that don’t stay - flowers (if no allergies or a specific cat who can soar higher than seemingly possible), wine for wine drinkers, etc. Chocolates or baked goods, a food kit that’s purchased or put together if knowing their taste - soup, baked goods, etc. As a house guest (not that I’ve done that in forever), I’d make a card with a gift card holder, and add a certificate or gift card to one of their favorite stores or restaurants, something that shows I’ve paid attention. I don’t think I’ve kept a thank you gift in the last couple decades, no matter how thoughtful or adorable. Either it’s the giver’s taste and not mine, or I have the item already, sometimes multiples, and I’m in decluttering more than collecting mode. Maybe part of it is stage of life? I have all the ______ that I need, and what I want probably wouldn’t be known by a guest. But if I was a LOT younger, most any gift would be appreciated. YMMV These reasons are why I don't understand why this custom is so popular on the board. At the holidays, people complain about the generic gifting, I don't need another candle, throw, etc, please don't give me food I can't eat or liquor I don't drink. But people feel differently about hostess gifts for some reason. I have never seen a hostess gift given by anyone ever. Admittedly, I socialize as little as possible, but I wonder if it is more popular in other parts of the country, or maybe it is more common among people with higher incomes.
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,503
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Jun 16, 2021 19:56:59 GMT
At a certain point in my life, I was taught, "Never show up empty-handed." This was driven home when a friend's husband said he didn't think another couple appreciated his hospitality because they never brought anything when they came over. I was horrified! I never thought it was an insult not to bring anything; I just thought it was a nice thing to do.
That said, I'm a big fan of consumables. Fancy cookies, chocolates, wine, flowers, even soft drinks - just SOMEthing!
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Post by littlemama on Jun 16, 2021 20:01:58 GMT
I wonder if this is a regional thing- do you take a host gift every time you are invited to someone's home?
I guess we will take something we all will use during the course of the evening, but not a "gift" so to speak
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Post by dewryce on Jun 16, 2021 20:13:37 GMT
I wonder if this is a regional thing- do you take a host gift every time you are invited to someone's home? I guess we will take something we all will use during the course of the evening, but not a "gift" so to speak Here in central Texas, it’s not for everything. Just if they’re hosting you. Like, I wouldn’t necessarily bring something to hang out with my mom and my BFF. Except that, I am always finding things for them so I often do anyway, but not because they’re hosting if that make sense? Going to hang out with cousin at her house, typically I wouldn’t bring anything. But if friend is hosting a crafty day, I’m going to show up with a craft gift. Or a close friend invites us over for dinner, we will at least bring food. If it’s more of a fancy dinner or a lot of people, I’m likely to bring a gift as well. An acquaintance? Prob gift over food for the meal since I wouldn’t know I that was stepping on toes. Birthday parties? Probably not. But I will definitely be helping keep things picked up and genuinely offer to help when people are leaving. And I will say, a lot of people don’t do bring anything. So, I’d say it’s regional but probably also depends on what people in their circle do as well.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 16, 2021 21:44:18 GMT
I wonder if this is a regional thing- do you take a host gift every time you are invited to someone's home? I guess we will take something we all will use during the course of the evening, but not a "gift" so to speak I don't think it is regional. I live in Central Texas also, but have friends from all over the world. It might be that hosting is not done as much anymore, at least not as formally as it used to be. We meet in restaurants, we stay in motels, or we stay with families.
Also for me, it just depends upon the situation and I realize that it is hard to decipher which situation merits a hostess gift. If it is a meal or snacking type event, then I will ask what I can bring to help, with tips on what I would like to bring such as a pie or dip. If she says no, then, I resist the urge (it is hard, but I do resist.) If it is a overnight stay or more, then I consider how to contribute without causing more work. Also, I try to make sure what I take is consumable and something I know the hostess will use. It may be something to make hostessing easier or to brighten her day. If you know the hostess and have been in their home before, then try to remember what she has an interest in and perhaps contribute to that.
Just a side note - please be careful about gifting plants to homes with pets. A friend of the family gave us some flowers once for Mother's Day and it had lilies in it. They are especially poisonous to cats. I took precautions, but our ginger boy passed soon after. I will never know if it was the flowers, but will never take the chance again.
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Post by Frazzled Mom on Jun 16, 2021 23:47:15 GMT
At a certain point in my life, I was taught, "Never show up empty-handed." Same here and have passed that tradition down to my kids. They're both in their 20s and still occasionally ask for ideas on something to take to a host, well at least they did before COVID. It's been awhile since it was an issue. Unless they know the people well and can choose a gift certain to please (a new game for gamer friends, etc), they usually opt for consumables.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 17, 2021 4:53:19 GMT
I wonder if this is a regional thing- do you take a host gift every time you are invited to someone's home? I guess we will take something we all will use during the course of the evening, but not a "gift" so to speak We typically do if it’s more than just a very casual get together, and even then we always ask if there is something we can bring to contribute. If someone is having an actual party or is hosting a dinner, then we definitely bring something. If we know they drink we might bring a favorite bottle of wine or a case of the beer they like. Sometimes we bring flowers or nice chocolates if we don’t know the hosts very well. For Christmas parties I typically bring a box or tin of my homemade cookies for the family to enjoy later. I like to think of it as a small tangible thank you for the host’s hospitality, but since so many people seem to be too put out to bother with even sending a simple thank you note anymore the hostess gift is going by the wayside too.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Jun 17, 2021 5:07:07 GMT
I saw these cute spoon rests/tea towels in a gift shop while I was traveling last week. I would LOVE to receive one, and may keep the idea in my back pocket if I have any hostess gifts to give in the future. Spoon rest/tea towel
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Post by magellen on Jun 17, 2021 8:04:46 GMT
I just sent my aunt a pretty florist arrangement the day before we went to their party. She loved it. When back when, you only sent flowers if you not going to attend the party.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,724
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jun 17, 2021 10:44:43 GMT
Anything consumable and requiring no effort. Being poorly recently and having very kindly been sent 4 indoor pot plants that all need different care, conditions and space (2 can't go on windowsills so are on the dining room table), I'm mindful of the amount of work that any gift entails. I love the idea of pretty paper napkins, also any kind of food, drink, treats. Personally I love candles, but I know that not everyone does. A plant for the garden if the host is a gardener maybe?
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 17, 2021 12:25:24 GMT
Most of our friends drink wine, so that is what we usually bring. I know at some point they’ll drink it or pass it along if it’s not something they enjoy.
If I’m not certain whether the hosts drink wine, then I usually bring a nice candle. I don’t worry too much about whether the host will like the candle, I figure they can always pass it on if they don’t like it.
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