Hostess Gifts

November 4, 2014

In Western culture, at least where I am and how I grew up, it was appropriate to bring a hostess gift when invited somewhere for whatever reason.  Many times I'll ask if I can bring something to add to the meal, and thankfully sometimes the hosts will give me the assignment provide a part of the meal.  It really does make it easier!  

But that's really not the norm for most of our friends.  In fact, most of them are so talented and creative and organized and all, that they insist that we just "bring" ourselves.  And hence the conundrum.  I can't go anywhere without some kind of little thank you gift.  But so many of my friends are worlds ahead of me in talent and creativity.

As I've said before, we're Mormon and as such, we don't drink alcohol.  Which shoots down one of the easiest things in the world to take to someone, and that's a bottle of wine.  In the past, I have taken non-alcoholic sparkling cider, and it's worked great in some instances.  It's on my go-to list of hostess gifts.

Tonight we have been invited for dinner at the home of Mr H's doctor/friend.  They are good people, but I really don't know them very well. And the things I would take to others (handmade gifts) just wouldn't fit their home or lifestyle.  So what to take?  I have settled on fresh flowers this time.  I bought a bunch of fall flowers from the local market and will see what I can do to dress it up a little. Another good gift would be potted fall flowers, but most of the really pretty ones are already gone.

stonegableblog.com

Thursday we are going to the home of good friends who are the epitome of have everything/can do everything. Oh my!  She never fails to bring fresh homemade muffins or bread, fresh eggs (they keep chickens), fresh vegetables from their garden, or something else homemade.  She sews, knits, crochets, makes greeting cards - truly endless list of talents for them both.  They are an awesome couple (they are ones who worked so hard on our rental home I wrote about in a previous post).  So what to do for them?  I decided that I would make one of the burlap wreaths that are so popular right now.  I will put a bit of fall decor on it, but will also see about putting together a little bit for Christmas, too.  (Get the full tutorial for the wreath pictured at Stone Gable blog here.)

But what other hostess gifts are there?  From other websites and lists I've read of some really awesome host/hostess gifts, but all are so expensive!  I guess I need to hit the Pinterest boards again and start pinning...  And remember to check there when I need ideas.  

Cheers!