Tell me your favorite generic hostess gifts

[y4m]

We always go to Thanksgiving at a college friend's parent's home.  They do a big formal affair, probably 30+ people, tons of wine, lots of fun.  I've been going since they picked me up as a Thanksgiving orphan like a decade ago.  Now my husband joins too.

My standard hostess gift is wine, but I kind of feel like that's a weird borderline thing where it's not clear whether I'm bringing it to contribute to the party or as a gift.  Can you give me some other ideas?

If I were bringing a hostess gift to your classy mom in exchange for hosting me for thanksgiving, what would she enjoy?

[Deleted]

I'd still do wine, but I'd tell the hostess when handing it to her that it's for another day.

Other ideas: fancy olive oil, fancy salt, fancy chocolate, fancy kitchen soaps

[Deleted]

Can your college friend give you some hints? My mom loves cute dish towels, for example, but that might be a weird hostess gift for someone else.

I like v's suggestions, or maybe a potted plant? Orchid?

[bunnysmom]

Fancy chocolate or coffee, flowers, a nice bottle of wine. Or maybe something for her to relax after working so hard making dinner, such as a nice bubble bath, candles, scented lotion, etc..

[Deleted]

Wine
I like the orchid idea - they're low maintenance and stay in bloom forever
I would shy away from candles/lotion/bath products - people tend to be particular about those things

[hocus2]

Wine or sparkling apple juice, chocolate or  flowers are all the standard gifts I bring. If you know them better you might be able think of something more creative but I wouldn't worry too much -- they obviously want you to come. 

[emilyinchile]

Wine, flowers, potted plant, chocolates. Nothing anyone hasn't said, just putting another vote behind those

[my4girls]

Orchid is good or a nice fancy candle, fancy chocolates

[mbcdefg]

Flowers, wine, a dessert, dish towels, box of chocolates

[dexteroni]

For a fancy mom I would bring fancy chocolates. She can either enjoy them herself or pass them on.

[lasagnasshole]

I'd still go with wine. Or maybe a nice higher-end liquor, which seems a little less like it's supposed to be opened since there's no guarantee they have all the necessary cocktail ingredients.

Good coffee, tea, or chocolate is also good if you know they like one of those.

I really avoid things that aren't consumable unless you know the hostess well. My mom never uses fancy bath products, I kill all plants within a 30-foot radius, etc. All those types of gifts have potential to be wasted.

[whattheheck]

Something for her to eat for breakfast the next day - some good croissants with fancy jams/honey, etc. Something that doesn't need to take up fridge space.

[rachelgreen]

I normally host a large group for Thanksgiving myself and my favorites are always wine and chocolates. I'd love to get flowers or even, and this is obviously only appropriate if you are positive they put up a tree, an ornament. My cousin brought me a hand painted glass ornament from Arizona last year and it was so pretty and thoughtful. I was touched. We put our tree together T-Day weekend so she got to see it go up. And of course I have it forever now.

[ESF]

Nov 6, 2013 10:11:14 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

I'd still go with wine. Or maybe a nice higher-end liquor, which seems a little less like it's supposed to be opened since there's no guarantee they have all the necessary cocktail ingredients.

Good coffee, tea, or chocolate is also good if you know they like one of those.

I really avoid things that aren't consumable unless you know the hostess well. My mom never uses fancy bath products, I kill all plants within a 30-foot radius, etc. All those types of gifts have potential to be wasted.

All of this.

Put the wine in a nice bag, ideally one that seals, folds over, or is tied somehow at the top to make it look more like a gift, and not something for the dinner.

[ESF]

Also I wouldn't do flowers unless they come in a vase. Otherwise the hosts will have to stop cooking and entertaining to deal with them.

[nonsenseabound]

I'd do flowers and wine. And I'd grab a cheapo vase and arrange them myself before arriving.

[shortstax]

Wine is my usual choice. However, if for some reason I think that doesn't fit, I go with a some type of fancy coffee

[dexteroni]

Nov 6, 2013 10:14:46 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

St Germaine!

A liqueur is a great idea. It's fancy-ish, and no host will think it's meant to be served with the meal.

[jennistarr1]

Nov 6, 2013 10:11:14 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

I'd still go with wine. Or maybe a nice higher-end liquor, which seems a little less like it's supposed to be opened since there's no guarantee they have all the necessary cocktail ingredients.

Good coffee, tea, or chocolate is also good if you know they like one of those.

I really avoid things that aren't consumable unless you know the hostess well. My mom never uses fancy bath products, I kill all plants within a 30-foot radius, etc. All those types of gifts have potential to be wasted.

Maybe like a dessert cordial?

[dexteroni]

Nov 6, 2013 10:14:28 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

Something for her to eat for breakfast the next day - some good croissants with fancy jams/honey, etc. Something that doesn't need to take up fridge space.

Breakfast treats are a really good idea too. I would recommend a slightly heartier pastry than croissants, so it doesn't get smashed en route. Crumpets are a bit heartier, have a fancy reputation, and are delicious.

Or chocolate babka! lol. Seriously though, it's good. So is cinnamon.

[sproutmd]

Nov 6, 2013 10:32:16 GMT -5 ESF said:

Nov 6, 2013 10:11:14 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

I'd still go with wine. Or maybe a nice higher-end liquor, which seems a little less like it's supposed to be opened since there's no guarantee they have all the necessary cocktail ingredients.

Good coffee, tea, or chocolate is also good if you know they like one of those.

I really avoid things that aren't consumable unless you know the hostess well. My mom never uses fancy bath products, I kill all plants within a 30-foot radius, etc. All those types of gifts have potential to be wasted.

All of this.

Put the wine in a nice bag, ideally one that seals, folds over, or is tied somehow at the top to make it look more like a gift, and not something for the dinner.

I agree with this, as well. How much does she like wine? I would be sad if you brought me wine every year, then all of a sudden didn't. My vote is wine or liquor. If it was presented to me in some sort gift bag or with a bow, I would assume it was for a different day.

[maddiepaddy]

I like doing fancy olive oil or dipping oil. So fun to have around, easy to use, and not something people normally buy themselves.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Have a nice bouquet of flowers delivered the next day
Fancy chocolate or coffee
Fancy olive oil/vinegar/salt/spice blends -- if she cooks
Holiday dish/hand towels -- if she celebrates and seems like the type who would like that

I wouldn't do breakfast stuff unless you can have it delivered the next day or it can stay all wrapped up in fancy packaging without refrigeration and you can suggest she unwrap after guests leave.

[wanderlustfoodie]

The best hostess gift I ever received was when I threw a baby shower for a good friend and she gifted me a cleaning service to come the next day to clean up the mess.

But I also accept wine, chocolate, flowers, etc

[saywhatnow]

As a previous poster mentioned...just wrap the wine so that it looks like a gift an not a BYOB(W?). I usually do wine as a hostess gift but have some really pretty ribbon/gift wrap that I use.

[h]

Fancy olive oil or balsamic vinegar, expensive candles, and potted orchids seem to be the most popular non-wine gifts, IME. Other food gifts like truffle oil or fancy spices work well, too. Once my mom received a big hunk of expensive parmesan as a hostess gift and seemed quite pleased with it. Williams-Sonoma always has a nice selection of food gifts like that.

During the holiday season I think those small Christmas-tree shaped potted rosemary plants make fun hostess gifts. Or a nice, fragrant evergreen wreath or a potted amaryllis or paper white or other seasonal bulb.

[Deleted]

Put your wine in one of these:

www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2320311&categoryId=search

My friend did this for me last year and I love the fuzzy wine bag! Sounds fun, now I want hostess gifts...but without hosting anything....

[pretzel]

I am currently addicted to this little $5 jar of truffle salt from the fancy food store. It's a mini version of this: www.sabatinotruffles.com/salts-sugars/gourmet-salts/sea-salt-truffles

OMG it's so good! If your host likes mushrooms, it's a winner!

[Deleted]

Wine and truffles.

I will often "wrap" the wine in a little wine cozy so it is clear it is for later, and even tell the hostess / host: you are not allowed to open this . I am a demanding gifter like that

[doobeedoo]

I love some of these suggestions. I just picked up some hostess gifts today to have for a few occasions. I got a 4 pack of appetizer plates with cute little Christmas designs on them at Pier One for $20. I got a few nice kitchen towels at Sur la Table and I also got some wine glass markers and cheese/dip spreader thingies. I usually also bring wine but it always gets poured that night (my friends are all lushes).