What's a good host/ess gift for a large holiday party?

[Anonymous]

Wine always seems to get lost in the fray, and frankly, I don't want to splurge on sending flowers before or after. What do you suggest?

[Anonymous]

A nice bottle of olive oil. L'occitane lotion. Nice tea or coffee. A set of nice kitchen/tea towels.

[Anonymous]

I love giving small potted bulbs -- amaryllis or paperwhites. Simple, low maintenance and they last a long time.

[Anonymous]

Christmas ornament.
Gourmet goodies (Williams Sonoma has great food treats)

Put a tag or note on anything that you bring. It is not expected that a host send a thank you note for a host gift, as they would have thanked you when you handed it to them, I always have trouble remembering who handed me what. You can do this with wine, too.

[Anonymous]

We host a large party every year and the things i really like include wine (it keeps, we will drink it, just be sure the label it), a container of Kiehls hand soap, olive oil (we got 3 last year and used them all). While we appreciate anything, and don't expect anything, items which haven't been as memorable - christmas dishtowels (we have tons now), christmas ornaments (unles they are personal - some of those have been really nice - but not a random crate and barrel ornament), cheap chocolate.

[Anonymous]

Is this expected? I didn't know about this... please educate me on the etiquette. When do you give a host/ess gift?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this expected? I didn't know about this... please educate me on the etiquette. When do you give a host/ess gift?

Seriously? Have you not been to any parties? We bring them for pretty much any event at someone's home unless it is an event like a school or work event that is being paid for by someone else. And i'd say 80-90% of the people who come to our house for a dinner or party bring something. In theory they shouldn't be necessary because you would repay the invite with another invite, but that doesn't always happen so the custom has become one of bringing a hostess gift. At least for us it is certainly not expected but is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas!

[Anonymous]

I bring a medium-sized (8 is good) box of Godiva truffles or 16-20 count chocolates. They come very nicely packaged, you can find them at Macy's (and the Godiva store) and they are awesome. I've brought them to a bunch of events and they always seem well-received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this expected? I didn't know about this... please educate me on the etiquette. When do you give a host/ess gift?

Seriously? Have you not been to any parties? We bring them for pretty much any event at someone's home unless it is an event like a school or work event that is being paid for by someone else. And i'd say 80-90% of the people who come to our house for a dinner or party bring something. In theory they shouldn't be necessary because you would repay the invite with another invite, but that doesn't always happen so the custom has become one of bringing a hostess gift. At least for us it is certainly not expected but is appreciated.

I'm the PP you quoted. I always bring a host/hostess gift to things like dinner parties but don't recall ever seeing them at larger parties. Come to think of it, I guess most of the parties I've been to have been celebrating some event that called for a gift anyway, or the "let's have a BBQ, bring your favorite side or drink" type of party. Am I the only person who's never heard of this for holiday parties? I feel so out of step! Well thanks for saving me from future faux pas.