Favorite Hostess Gifts

[DelftBlue]

What are some of your favorite hostess gifts besides a bottle of wine or flowers or food?

What do you bring when you don't really know the person who is hosting?

Does anyone not bring gifts?

 

[Paradise18]

I always bring something. My go-to is a nice bottle of wine. If the host and hostess are not drinkers, I'll bring good quality chocolates. For a non-food gift, I'd probably give candles or an ornament (if it's a holiday party).

 

[usnuzuloose]

Last year I pulled a surprise, the person who does the hosting always puts a lottery ticket on the plates. Well I spent 20 bucks and put an extra one on each plate. That was a lot of fun and she did not even know where they came from.

If I know where they shop I may give them a gift card to their favorite store.

 

[kirstenb1]

My go-to is a small/med box of Godiva chocolates. I love receiving wine, but if I'm not sure about the recipient then Godiva it is.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Our go to is also a nice bottle of wine, but if we've never met the person and cannot confirm if they are opposed to wine (which has only happened twice where we didn't know anybody who knew the hosts and we didn't know them either) we've brought an orchid, as they are more unique than traditional flowers but usually easy to find in upscale grocery stores. We also brought one one time when we were out of town and couldn't quickly find a liquor store but could find a Whole Foods.

Ironically, both times we didn't know the people at all, it turned out that wine would have been warmly welcomed.

 

[MIGrandma]

A gift card to their favorite restaurant or theater/movies.

 

[Mom_Rides]

My Aunt gave me a bottle of Bath and Body Works hand soap with a nice embroidered holiday hand towel wrapped all pretty in a gift bag. That has been my go to hostess gift now.

 

[Wendy31]

It depends on how well I know the hostess & what the season/occasion is.

I've done candles, chocolates, a loaf of sweat bread from a local bakery, Christmas ornaments, Christmas cookies in a decorative tin, flowers, small plants, coffee, a tin of teas, a small package of Penzey's spices, seasonal liquid soaps from Bath & Body, etc. Years ago, someone once told me, "It's all about the presentation" & that's what I tell my daughter now. LOL! So I always nicely wrap/package whatever I'm giving w/ pretty ribbons & embellishments.

Last year at Thanksgiving, DH's brother-in-law & sister-in-law hosted Thanksgiving at their new house. We brought them a glass pitcher of white sangria.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

When someone doesn't know me well and wants to bring a hostess gift to a gathering I really do prefer a bottle of wine.

Once I had someone bring me some embroidered kitchen towels - cute but totally not in my kitchen colors.
I thanked them and they went into a donation bag the next day.

 

[Pig Pen]

Once I brought a loaf of Panera bread. Of course it turned out the hosts were Atkins diet followers. Not a carb in sight the whole night. I was hoping they would break out that loaf so I had something to gnaw on. No dice.

Oh well.

 

[low-key]

I am an uncultured caveman

 

[Handbag Lady]

I try to tailor the gift to the host/ess. For one party, I found bake-your-own dog treats with a bone-shaped cookie-cutter. My friend DOTED on her dog so that was a good choice.

For my colleague who is constantly popping mint gum, I got him a large box of specialty mint sticks that were dipped in chocolate.

 

[anniemae]

I used to do wine, but so many are now non-drinkers. I used to also do muffins or baked goods, but so many follow special diets.

So now, I buy some nice hand soap & sanitizing gel and wrap them up in tissue paper and ribbons. It is nice, and I know it will be used. You can find nice scented soap, as well as hand sanitizer, in pretty bottles at Target or bath and body works. They usually have nice ones at the holidays that are Christmas scented like gingerbread, sugar cookie etc.

 

[Disneylover99]

So now, I buy some nice hand soap & sanitizing gel and wrap them up in tissue paper and ribbons. It is nice, and I know it will be used. You can find nice scented soap, as well as hand sanitizer, in pretty bottles at Target or bath and body works. They usually have nice ones at the holidays that are Christmas scented like gingerbread, sugar cookie etc.

I do this too. Sometimes I give nicely wrapped scented candles as well.

 

[momw/2princesses]

We have a wonderful store close by that sells many different olives oils and balsamic vinegars. I usually give a couple of those and some nice bread from the bakery.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've done candles, chocolates, a loaf of sweat bread from a local bakery

Call me a snob, but I don't care how pretty the package is, I don't want a loaf of sweat bread!

 

[sunshine1178]

When someone doesn't know me well and wants to bring a hostess gift to a gathering I really do prefer a bottle of wine.

Once I had someone bring me some embroidered kitchen towels - cute but totally not in my kitchen colors.
I thanked them and they went into a donation bag the next day.

I like to dress up a bottle of wine/liquor with a bottle tag. I saw hers at a recent craft show, and they were cute and customizable. Www.facebook.com/onthesunnysidecrafts

 

[Judique]

Call me a snob, but I don't care how pretty the package is, I don't want a loaf of sweat bread!

Lol!

No 'sweat'!

 

[Kae]

i like to give from here www.saltsistersonline.com they are local for me so I can buy her stuff at the store by my house.

Kae

 

[amg35]

Call me a snob, but I don't care how pretty the package is, I don't want a loaf of sweat bread!

mmmm... salty.....