Host/hostess gift suggestions, please!

[Anonymous]

We’ll be spending two days visiting my uncle and his wife (i.e., second marriage) on our way to our final destination. I’d like to bring something as a thank-you, but I am a terrible shopper — plus they are very much people who have everything. I’m also frankly a little intimidated by Mrs. Uncle, who I haven’t spent much time with. But I adore my uncle, and they are being so kind to welcome us for a few days.

Shopping/gift-giving gurus, I need your help!

[Anonymous]

For people who have everything, I always lean toward something perishable. How about a very nice bottle of wine?
Or, is your hometown known for something in particular that might be hard to find where they are?

[Anonymous]

I'm not normally a give-a-candle person, but I just saw some pretty multi-wick citronella candles at World Market and I thought they'd be nice hostess gifts for people who do outdoor entertaining.

[Anonymous]

Treat them to a meal out while you’re visiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not normally a give-a-candle person, but I just saw some pretty multi-wick citronella candles at World Market and I thought they'd be nice hostess gifts for people who do outdoor entertaining.

World Market for a host gift?

[Anonymous]

Flowers, chocolates or wine. Don’t overthink it. Something consumable.

The olive thing is gross to me but as long as you don’t insist they open it, it’s fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Treat them to a meal out while you’re visiting.

That’s not a hostess gift, that’s just what you do while you’re visiting.

[Anonymous]

Flowers—really nice flowers.

[Anonymous]

LA Burdicks in Georgetown has the most beautiful and delicious boxes of chocolates. Get the signature assortment in the wooden boxes. Always been a hit with everyone from CEO clients to in Laws. Enjoy your visit!

[Anonymous]

An orchid in a beautiful (locally made or vintage?) ceramic pot. They are completely easy to care for. Aunt and uncle can toss after the bloom dies in a few months or keep till they rebloom.

[Anonymous]

If you are staying with them, perhaps have something special delivered that you can enjoy together

We are from Maryland, and I ordered/overnighted crab cakes from the eastern shore along with a smith island cake. Both were a big hit.

If you want to spend less, take nice flowers and pop into a local bakery for some treats.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the suggestions! Please keep them coming.

We are here in DC, they are in CT near the NY border; but uncle travels quite a lot for work so DC-themed stuff is old hat. And they’re full up on delicious seafood up there, although I do like the crab idea.

[Anonymous]

Penzey Spices is my go to. They have gift boxes of all sizes premade or you can pick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for the suggestions! Please keep them coming.

We are here in DC, they are in CT near the NY border; but uncle travels quite a lot for work so DC-themed stuff is old hat. And they’re full up on delicious seafood up there, although I do like the crab idea.

I literally just shipped the crab cakes to family vacationing in CT last week. They said the crab cakes were excellent and a special treat. You aren’t getting Maryland lump crab meat in CT (or anywhere, really given the current shortage).

I ordered from The Narrows on Kent Island. They’re my go to.

FWIW, the smith island cake was a big hit, too. Smith Island is off the coast of southern Maryland, and the cakes are a local delicacy going back generations.

[Anonymous]

Williams Sonoma frozen croissants have always been well received.

We've also sent flowers in advance and said looking forward to seeing you.