I still love giving a bottle of my favorite wine, with snappy napkins, with an ornament hanging off the gift bag. I’ve done it for years and it’s kind of my “signature gift”. That being said, I really need to think outside the box, and sadly for Gina and Frank, they received the “signature gift”, but hopefully they love that wine…which happens to be Kathy P’s favorite!
When is it necessary to bring a hostess gift? Let’s go to Emily Post for some clarification:
Should I Bring a Hostess Gift?
A gift for your host or hostess is a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality and is always appreciated. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive; simply consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice. In some parts of the country, a hostess gift is considered obligatory, while in other places a gift is brought only on special occasions. If it’s the first time you’re visiting someone’s home, then it’s a very nice gesture to bring a small gift. If you have a few extra minutes to wrap it, even if you only use tissue or a decorative bag, it adds to the gesture.
Wine, flowers, specialty food items, and small items for the house all make good hostess gifts. Flowers are terrific too, but if you want to go beyond Etiquette 101, bring them in a simple vase (a Mason jar is fine). You could also offer to put them in water yourself when you arrive so your host doesn’t have to arrange them. If you bring wine, don’t expect your host to serve it that evening- the wines may have already been chosen for the meal. And don’t bring food for the meal unless you’ve been asked to. Otherwise you risk putting your host on the spot and upsetting the menu. Here are a few tips on what to bring when:
Casual dinner party
Dinner party guests usually bring a hostess gift unless they are close friends who dine together frequently. Gift possibilities include wine, Champagne, flowers (preferably in a vase), a potted plant, chocolates, specialty food items such as jams and jellies or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil or vinegar, or items for the house, such as cocktail napkins, guest soaps and lotions , a picture frame, or a scented candle. A CD or book is also appropriate if you know your host’s taste.
Formal dinner party
Gifts aren’t usually taken to large, formal dinners, especially if you don’t know the host well.
When there’s a guest of honor
If it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or shower, bring a gift for the honoree.
When you’re the guest of honor
Bring a gift for your host or hostess, or send flowers before the party. After the party, send a thank-you note.
Housewarming
It’s customary to bring a gift to a housewarming. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be something lasting for the house. Possible gifts include guest towels, a houseplant, a patio or garden plant, glasses, dish towels, a picture frame, specialty foods like a great olive oil or preserves, or a cheeseboard and/or cheese knives. Update an old-fashioned housewarming tradition of giving salt, and bring fancy sea salt and/or a salt-box or saltcellar. If the housewarming is for a neighbor new to your town, consider putting together a welcome kit containing area maps, the town paper, restaurant menus, bookmarks from your favorite bookstore, transportation schedules, and information on local parks and recreation facilities, anything that will make it easier for her to feel welcome and at home in her new community.
Weekend visit
Either bring or send a gift. Your gift of choice will depend on the length of your stay and how elaborately you’re entertained. While you don’t have to break the bank, your gift should be sincere, thoughtful, and personal.
Hostess Gift Ideas – some standard and some “not so” standard
Flowers – you can send before so they can be properly displayed
Wine – wrap in a festive manner. You don’t have to only put in a wine bag. You can always tie a festive bow around the neck of the bottle, and hang an ornament off it!
Napkins – I like snappy cocktail napkins, and love gifting them, however a set of four cloth napkins is always a welcome gift.
Candles – a good standard, especially the yummy holiday smells at this time of year.
Glasses – To drink from, not to see from (though his and her reading glasses could be a fun gift). Perhaps a vintage pair of rocks glasses or highballs?
Snowglobe – I only mention this because who doesn’t like a snowglobe? Happiness in a globe!
Certificate for a Spa to be used after the soire (this would be a great group gift)
Slippers – perhaps even a lovely pair he/she can wear after dinner?
Frame – and take a photo at the party, note the size of the frame, and send a picture after the party with a thank you note
Wine Stops – these are great…especially when there are several varietals served
Gourmet foods
Spices
Harry and David fresh fruit
For the Hip Host or Hostess
Breakfast Hostess Gift
Spiced homemade nuts
You can make this yourself, with a charger from the Dollar Store
Books - it’s always great to gift your favorite book. Of course this year’s Host/Hostess gift could be the Trilogy of Fifty Shades of Grey…
A gift for the family pet!
I don’t suggest it’s necessary to buy your hostess gift at Tiffany and Company, but I wanted to share some of their holiday ads, which make me smile.
Her wish was simple
Peace in every nation
Joy in every heart
and a mitten in every hand
May your days be merry and bright! My days are getting merrier and brighter, as Mer Mer comes home today for her 3-week christmas break! :) 
xoxo,
T.
And check out last year’s post on hostess/host gifts:
http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/for-the-hostess-with-the-mostest-hostesshost-gift-ideas/
Related articles
- 8 Great Hostess Gift Ideas For the Holidays (eonline.com)
- 10 Beautifully Thoughtful Hostess Gifts (bellasugar.com)
- Holiday Gifting 2012: Think Outside The Wine Bottle With 20 Not-Boring Hostess Presents (news.stylecaster.com)
