Hostess Gifts

[Julie-Ann]

Do you take a gift for the hostess when you are invited to a friends house for a meal or party?
I was reading today in a magazine that you should always take a gift. I do if it is the first time we have been invited to the friends new home. I also never expect something from my visitors.
What about you?

[savelakealbert]

Hi Jullie ANn! I Would take a gift...chocolates...or a bunch of prettiful flowers if we were invited out anywhere. I wouldn't expect anything from my visitors. My sis came over from Adelaide, she brought me over a lovely modern blue willow dinner set, and I gave her a kitten?? Good swap?
CATHX

[Mrs B]

Yes, I often do :love it:

My chose is always a candle from my favourite range or some gorgeous soaps from MOR.

Anything that has beautiful packaging and looks rather special is always a nice gift. I tend not to give flowers only because I fret about where to buy them and how to transport them in my car:rolleyes: Silly i know but I dont want the flowers to wilt.

Mrs B

[tryingtodecorate]

Yes, every time! Every two months we have dinner with friends who we met via the blogging world when we were building our homes. We take turns and go from house to house (I'm hosting next month). We always take Flowers, Wine/Chocolates. I always bake something to take as well, leave it for them to munch on during the week. Even if we are just going to the neighbours I take something, it's always the thought that counts :)

Another friend (who I also met via my blog) comes over for lunch once a month. She always brings me flowers and chocolates for my kids. She gave me a lovely vase as I house warming present and I always put her flowers in it :love it:

[Elements]

T, do you still have your blog? Can anyone follow or is it a closed blog?
Sorry for the questions.:o

I always take something to peoples homes whenever we go, a bottle or wine or chips even...just something, hubby thinks I am mad:rolleyes:
But if its a new home we are visiting it depends on the occasion what I take.
Home item, food, drink, garden....it really does depend :)

[NewHome]

Yes I always take chocs and wine, and if I feel like it I'll take flowers.

[Julie-Ann]

I love the candles idea MrsB:love it:. We always take wine and often chocolates or I have arranged with the friend that I would bring a dish.
I find with flowers when you receive them it is kind of awkward as I hunt around just for the right vase. And I don't have the time to arrange them properly. So they sit plonked in the vase on the bench until I can get to fix them the next day. But this probably only bothers a fuss pot like me:D

[Lanne]

I always say.. just bring your appetite but usually take a gift if someone is hosting.. I guess it depends how formal it is. .

If having a play date I take the meal (morning/afternoon tea or lunch).. because lochie has a tonne of allergies.. with close friends the deal is i cater kids, they cater adults...

If invited for dinner.. i would always take a gift and the more effort the dinner the better the gift... (ie.. formal dinner party gets a better gift than a BBQ)

Gifts range from nicer than normal homewares (say wheel and barrow or private boutique)... to foods (cheeses and crackers etc in a basket or bakeware) to cook book and kitchen item (like if it was a cupcake recipe book i would take special moulds or wrappers)..

and i always wrap in cellophane so no one has to worry about the .. can i open it now.. what is it awkwardness.. they can see LOL. clear cello and some nice ribbon does the trick.

[rosierose]

I usually always bring something usually home baked......but if someone brought me a candle like a glasshouse I would be overjoyed..

[Mrs B]

I find with flowers when you receive them it is kind of awkward as I hunt around just for the right vase. And I don't have the time to arrange them properly. So they sit plonked in the vase on the bench until I can get to fix them the next day. But this probably only bothers a fuss pot like me:D

LOL Julie Ann! I think I saw this advise on Oprah...the gift giving guru said that dont give flowers to the hostess as often they do not have an appropriate vase for the bunch and/or they spend 10 mins of their time, worrying and fussing over the flowers, not quite knowing what to do with them.

Mrs B

[dmplus3]

I generally take something appropriate to the occasion. Usually a bottle of wine, or dessert/starter to compliment the main meal.

Most of our outings are to people whom we know well, so we've often discussed what we will take anyway.

[silkinteriors]

For a formal invitation I always bring something - usually a bottle of wine in addition to any other alcohol I may bring to drink on that occasion. My mum taught me never to arrive empty handed. My husband doesn't 'get it'. LOL.

If I'm just dropping over for a coffee and chat and it's someone I've known forever, I don't bring anything unless I've recently baked some biccies.

[NewHome]

For a formal invitation I always bring something - usually a bottle of wine in addition to any other alcohol I may bring to drink on that occasion. My mum taught me never to arrive empty handed. My husband doesn't 'get it'. LOL.

If I'm just dropping over for a coffee and chat and it's someone I've known forever, I don't bring anything unless I've recently baked some biccies.

Oh yeh, same here. If Im just going for a coffee and I go nearly every few weeks, I dont usually bring anything unless I get some sweets.

[Julie-Ann]

LOL Julie Ann! I think I saw this advise on Oprah...the gift giving guru said that dont give flowers to the hostess as often they do not have an appropriate vase for the bunch and/or they spend 10 mins of their time, worrying and fussing over the flowers, not quite knowing what to do with them.

Mrs B

Glad to know my thoughts are the same as someone so famous:D:D.

[Julie-Ann]

I have a few dinner invitations coming up this month. This will come in handy. I especially like the idea of the chocolates for the kids. And then something feminine and special for my girlfriend - like a candle:).