Hostess Gifts?

destinationAZ · December 2010

We're going to a dinner this weekend at one of DH co-workers this weekend (I've never met her so I don't know her interests/likes). I emailed to offer to bring something and she declined other than to say if we want "something special" to drink bring it. I'd like to take a hostess gift but now that she said that I'm afraid if we show up with a bottle of wine she won't think of it as a gift for her. any ideas on what we can take as a hostess gift?

Lil'BlackDress · December 2010

Bring two bottles of wine...put one in a gift bag to give to her as her "hostess gift" and have the other one to open that night.

You could bring wine accessories like decorative bottle stopper and wine glass charms.

Box of chocolates is always easy and appreciated by most people.

6fsn · December 2010

Usually I say edible, but this time of year is stuffed with food (pun intended). I'd probably bring a bottle of wine and a poinsettia.

Jim&Jaime · December 2010

When she declined your offer, she was declining your adding something to the evening's meal, as she would like to fully play hostess and provide everything for her guests. That being said, a hostess gift is different that bringing a dip or salad. The pp's suggestions for wine and chocolates are great. If you like to cook or bake, some muffins, scones, or a sweet bread for the next morning would be nice.

destinationAZ · December 2010

Jim&Jaime:
When she declined your offer, she was declining your adding something to the evening's meal, as she would like to fully play hostess and provide everything for her guests. That being said, a hostess gift is different that bringing a dip or salad. The pp's suggestions for wine and chocolates are great. If you like to cook or bake, some muffins, scones, or a sweet bread for the next morning would be nice.

I understand that, the reason I mentioned it is that I was afraid if we showed up with only a bottle of wine she would think that's our "something special" to drink for the the evening.

I like the suggestions I'm getting though....thanks everyone.

Magdala · December 2010

How about putting together a breakfast basket for the-morning-after-the-night-before.

I take a nice medium basket fill it with a box of tea, 1/2 dozen nut muffins (I am a baker so I make my own), a jar of jam, with a new dishtowel tucked around and a big bow on the handle. I put a label on the basket identifying it as breakfast basket for the morning after a great party. It has been appreciated in the past and is not too expensive.

That way if they are tired from hosting, they get a little break.

Jim&Jaime · December 2010

Magdala:
How about putting together a breakfast basket for the-morning-after-the-night-before.
I take a nice medium basket fill it with a box of tea, 1/2 dozen nut muffins (I am a baker so I make my own), a jar of jam, with a new dishtowel tucked around and a big bow on the handle. I put a label on the basket identifying it as breakfast basket for the morning after a great party. It has been appreciated in the past and is not too expensive.
That way if they are tired from hosting, they get a little break.

Love this. It's what I was getting at with the muffins, but WAY better!

destinationAZ · December 2010

Jim&Jaime:
Magdala:
How about putting together a breakfast basket for the-morning-after-the-night-before.
I take a nice medium basket fill it with a box of tea, 1/2 dozen nut muffins (I am a baker so I make my own), a jar of jam, with a new dishtowel tucked around and a big bow on the handle. I put a label on the basket identifying it as breakfast basket for the morning after a great party. It has been appreciated in the past and is not too expensive.
That way if they are tired from hosting, they get a little break.

Love this. It's what I was getting at with the muffins, but WAY better!

Totally agree.....great idea!