Originally Posted By SuzieQ Proper ettiquete dictates a host/hostess offering with a thank you note follow-up.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Here's some tips I found off the "WOW" internet. ;> Host Gift Giving: ----------------- 1. Reflect upon your host's decorating scheme if you have been to his or her house. Purchase a small trinket, vase or candy bowl that matches the decor. 2. Choose a gift that will not interfere with your host's pre-planned menu. Avoid, for instance, a box of cannoli or a freshly baked coconut pie. 3. Consider offering a small plant or flower arrangement. A small potted plant is often preferable to freshly cut flowers, which require the host to search for a vase and to spend time on the arrangement. 4. Pick out a box of decadent gourmet chocolates or a unique bottle of wine. 5. Make your own infused olive oil or vinegar and bottle it for your host. Stuff a decorative bottle with herbs (dill, parsley, garlic) or fruits (cranberries, raspberries, blackberries). Fill the bottle to the top with olive oil or white vinegar, screw a pour spout on top and voila! 6. Buy an aromatherapy candle with a simple candleholder, or a bag of potpourri to spread heavenly scents throughout your host's home. Avoid spending an exorbitant amount of money, which will inevitably cause your host to feel guilty. Tips: ----- Wrap your gift in simple tissue paper or decorated butcher paper. Present wine with a bow around the neck; wrap the bottom of a flowerpot in colored cellophane paper. If you happen to have a talent for crafts, then by all means take your host something that was made personally. It will show them that you cared enough to make it specially for them and they have a truly unique gift. It can be a simple as a small carving or a handpainted tile or dish. The thought counts as much as the gift. Decide whether a gift is even appropriate. Flowers or a bottle of wine is a nice thought for a dinner party; a six-pack of beer or soda is a good idea for a barbecue. Flowers for a Host: ------------------- 1. Buy flowers a few hours prior to the party to ensure maximum freshness and pertness. 2. Select medium-sized flowers. Avoid buying gargantuan displays of petals and stalks simply to impress your host. 3. Choose two or three different types of blooms, all in complementary colors. 4. Consider a small, potted flower plant that your host can eventually replant. Potted flowers will last much longer than freshly cut bouquets. 5. Envelop the bouquet or potted plant in tissue or colored cellophane paper, and wrap with a color-coordinated ribbon. Tips: ----- Consider sending the flowers ahead the day of the party. This will give your host an opportunity to find a vase and arrange the flowers before the guests arrive. Adding a touch of sugar to the flower water inside the vase will help to preserve the freshness of the bouquet. Warnings: --------- Keep in mind that the beautiful calla lily is traditionally a condolence flower, but these days it's becoming a multipurpose flower. Keep in mind that your host/hostess may too busy greeting guests and serving appetizers or drinks to find a vase and arrange flowers. Depending on the crowd size and party type, pre-potted or pre-arranged flowers may be more appropriate. Candy for a Host: ----------------- 1. Reflect upon your host's personal style and what you know about his or her taste. Determine a particular type of candy that seems to best fit the personality. Is she the decadent truffle type? Does he adore tangy, fruity candy? 2. Visit individual candy stores such as See's or Godiva to find prewrapped candy gift boxes. Specialized confection stores carry a wide array of decadently wrapped candy boxes in all shapes and sizes. 3. Consider shopping at a bulk candy store, where you can choose an assortment of treats from bins and boxes. 4. Wrap bulk candies in individual plastic gift bags, divided tins or miniature jars. Be creative with your packaging. Stuff candies into a potting plant for a host who likes to garden, or fill a pie tin with treats to present to a host who cooks. 5. Finish the package off with a colorful bow or a hand-curled ribbon and a gift card. 6. Present the candy to your host immediately after arriving at the party or event. Tips: ----- Consider making your own candy to present as a gift. A candy thermometer and a good candy cookbook are almost all you need to create luscious treats in your own home.
Originally Posted By markedward A few suggestions: a tasteful black and white, intimate photo of yourself a pony - everybody wants a pony but it isn't something you'd buy for yourself a bottle of wine - but get something with a screwtop, because it's too hard to get the cork back in if you have a swig or two on the way up the walkway a box of candies - but open it up and eat all the ones with nuts, because some people are allergic to nuts - shows you're concerned for his well being a "one free hug" coupon a donation in your host's name to a political cause diametrically opposed to everything your host believes in - it's good to reach out a collection of coupons from your local newspaper - if he's rich, it's probably because he's careful with his money an "escort" - nobody (nobody I know anyway) knows whether escorts just escort or whether it's a front for you-know-what - this way you can find out and let the rest of us know a gift certificate for an online dating service, local plastic surgeon, or weight loss program a self help book - shows that you are sensitive to your host's shortcomings and aren't afraid to let him know it's time to do something about it a collection of lower class adult magazines - showing that you are sensitive to how difficult it most be for a famous person like your host to buy these things for himself scripts and movie pitches from every waiter and barista you can find - actors are always looking for fresh ideas a copy of the play's program - but instead of getting everyone involved to autograph it, fake famous people's autographs. He can sell it on ebay later. a copy of your birthday or Christmas wish list - rich people like helping others ON SECOND THOUGHT, these might not be such good ideas. Maybe you should go with somebody else's suggestion.
Originally Posted By Ursula Here is what I have done in the past for both well-off and not so well-off dear friends: Bake-your-own doggie biscuit kit. Our hosts were mad about their doggie, so it was fitting. The kit came with a bone-shaped cookie-cutter, too. Brought my pot: We were invited to the boss's house for dinner only his wife didn't have a pot large enough for spaghetti for a large group. We brought ours as the hostess gift! Flowers: a friend complained that she never gets flowers. So, at a Christmas party, we brought her a large bouquet of holiday cheer. Candles: the dog friends always have lit candles around their home. So, I found a huge candle for them that was scented in the hostess's favorite vanilla scent. We've also stayed after the party to help clean up as our gift, too! Christmas Party hostess gift: we found a salt and pepper shaker set that was in the shape of a red and green glass ornament set.
Originally Posted By DlandJB I like bringing flowers. If you have a Trader Joe's near you they have some wonderful flowers for very little cost -- or if you have a farmer's market near you, stop by in the morning and pick up flowers there. I try and keep notes on my Palm pilot when people mention, offhand, what they like. One former colleague of mine once mentioned that she loved maple sugar candy. I filed the info away and when I moved on to a new job I bought her some maple sugar candy as a thanks -- she was stunned and thrilled. And it was cheap!
Originally Posted By debtee Flowers are a great idea. I just LOVE it when I receive flowers! Also Ursula I love the doggie biscuit kit. We would love it if someone bought that to us as a gift! Has Labuda come back and said what she liked the best and what she has chosen?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I also like the idea of flowers. And yes, men do like receiving flowers. My wife sent me flowers at my office one year for my birthday -- I LOVED it. Unfortunately, she doesn't send me flowers, anymore. ;-) As for wine; I thought goodgirl's advice was on the mark. You can get nice wines for $15 - $20. I prefer avoiding the 'usual' wines.. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, etc. French wines are pleasingly different and really don't cost much more (if any) than California wines.
Originally Posted By goodgirl So Labuda, what's it going to be? Or do we have to wait until after the party? ;-)
