or any event which requires the host or hostess to spend time cooking and cleaning to prepare for company? I was raised that it is just a simple show of thanks and appreciation for the invite. If you do still take a gift for the host what do you take? I have done lots of embroidered dish towels or hot pot top holders and pot holders etc.Maybe it's an old idea and I'm just behind the times. Just wondering what is proper and what you all give.With the holidays coming I was going to get some thing ready so i will be ahead and if we receive a last minute invite I will still be ready with a hostess gift.
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I like taking a little gift, just to say "Thank You". An embroidered kitchen towel is always welcome, and nobody can have too many of those. Just do as you want to. Hugs.
21222I was brought up this way too. I always bring a hostess gift. Many people I know still do this also. I have done towels, casserole warmers, FSL ornaments at Christmas.
1831yes what about some special brand tea or coffee in a nice packet. They will think about you for a while.
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2306Yes we always take something..usually wine and flowers. A while ago we were invited to a dinner and my friend said we would be having ribs so to be casual. I had this idea and made a set of 8 "bibs" with names embroidered on each. These were a hit and well used! hugs&*
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24424Yes By all means. I believe it to be an honor to be invited and therefore bring something to say thank you. I have done wine, flowers, some special candles, napkin rings, depends on the person and the occasion.
Cindy B
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11473I usually do take a small gift if not a food dish. All depends upon the situation.
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4271always take something if it is a short notice and I do not have something made or do not have time I stop at the store and get something most of my friends don't drink so I do not take wine,'
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32767A little something is always good manners! It would depend on the people and the situation, probably. If I were going to an 'open house' I'd probably take wine, because there would be a lot of people and somebody would like the kind I brought. For Christmas/Thanksgiving dinner, I'd do a seasonal dish towel and/or potholders, those are always useful. Or flowers, candy, homemade goodies of any kind would always be welcome. Unless of course they're really really good friends, then you ignore the rules, hee hee hee, 'cause they'll be at your house next week anyway, with their kids, grandkids and dogs, probably. When I had a close circle of friends, we never did the 'hostess gift' thing, but for people you're not quite so close with, yes, definitely. I'm reading all these answers, and I'll bet we're all about the same age, hee hee hee, we (I at least) were taught 'etiquette' in high school home ec class. Hugs, Marji
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by marjialexa
10 Nov 2009
Oh, yeah, just don't take embroidered sheets and then show them how to make their bed, hee hee hee. Sorry, couldn't resist that one.
by nonmusicmom
11 Nov 2009
I was not taught in school but I was taught etiquette by my favorite Aunt. She passed away in January of 2007 while she and my Uncle were in Arkansas visiting me. I miss here so much. She was my Mothers only sister and she was like a mother to me. About the sheets I would love to show some of these young girls the RIGHT WAY to make a bed. LOL
by marjialexa
12 Nov 2009
Well then, get invited to dinner and take the hostess gift embroidered sheets, I guess, hee hee hee, giggle, snicker, hugs, Marji
33451Oh absolutely I do..I have taken a bottle of wine or brought dessert on an appropriate dish. Depending upon the hostess I try and choose accordingly..Fresh flowers in a vase,table centerpiece,table linens,I have even purchased board games. I usually focus on the occasion and hostess. You are certainly NOT behind the times.
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11259Oh, yes. I can some jellies, pickels and other things and just put a pretty piece of cloth over the lid, under the screw cap and take that along.
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158718Yes, either a bottle of wine or a handmade gift, depending on the recipient. Embroidered dish towels go over very well.
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7293Yes, I always take something for the Host/Hostess. In the circle I travel, everyone knows I make homemade buns, and I usually take some of those, if it is a new place, I make an embroidered cloth bag and put the buns in it. I try to make it something the person can use. Not frivilous. Judy...
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92391Yes I also always take a gift.
I like to personalise it, be it a tea towel, hand towel, bookmark or even flowers then I put a home made card with it.
If it is at family ,I always phone and ask if I can bring a home made cake or something for dessert, as they don't bake. I seem to take after my Late Grandmother, love crafts, cooking and baking. Hugs Yvonne
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132773YES! And I have, hopefully, taught my daughter to do so also. I never go to spend the night without a nice hostess gift, and always take a small token gift to dinner, etc. I think most people love handmade things, and with our machines, we have the ability to do something they can't purchase! I usually ask if I can bring something for the dinner, if they say "no" I don't, but do take a small gift. Unless it's a friend that we eat with often & they with us...then we just be sure and ask them over the next time! Good manners are never out of date!! Good for you!!
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35675Yes always a bottle of wine, even though I do not drink and I usually make something like tissue holders, very popular or towel or tea towel just done 2 with the hanging hook of the kettle from turquoise and will make some more as it looks so nice. So costs not a lot, just some work lol
On towels I often do initials.
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57801Yes, the gift depends on each situation.
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by asterixsew
10 Nov 2009
Just been talking to my daughter about this, she too takes a gift and again it depends on who and what.
115771Yes I also do. If I know the person well enough I will take something for the kitchen like a embroidered dish towel with a theme eg a cup of coffee, which I then use as the wrapping for a bag of filter coffee. Sometimes I use teabags, cookies etc. If I don't know the hostess that well I will take flowers or chocolates.
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11528Most people I know give a bottle of wine. But, I don't drink so I like flowers, or a box of chocolate. The "box" being something that they don't feel they have to serve right now. You don't want to feel like you have changed their menu. I think your ideas are excellent, the embroidered dish towels are always useful.
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463420I always take something. Usually a bottle of wine or a home made something. I think we are one up on those who do not embroider. We have so many possibilities with our machines and it is a one of a kind gift.
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85867Yes, at Xmas especially like the potted Poinsettias they always look so warm and Christmasy...other times a bottle of wine or some after dinner mints, just a small token to say thank you for inviting me or us...
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by nonmusicmom
11 Nov 2009
Oh dinner mints that's a great idea.Maybe break out the candy molds and make the mints.
27071yes always, mostly flowers ,chocolats,bottle of wine or something like that, it depends for what kind of host it is.
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743310I usually take something to contribute to the meal.Or a after dinner snack.
18167always, sometimes it is wine, pies or even cookies. It might be an embroidered item. Sometimes flowers. It depends on the person and on the type of occasion.
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33871Paula, YES of coarse - some of the same - already mentioned - or a cute suncatcher or doily. Something that I know - will bring some joy to the home. *4U
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211079Yes everytime, ,maybe muffins, cookies, wine it all depends on the time of day to. Marie.
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11877Flowers, every time, even when I go to my children. But then flowers are cheap here compared to surrounding countries.
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145304Oh yes always some little something just to say thank you. I've given the same as you, sometimes a pretty scented candle packaged nicely. I like giving bread cloths or bun warmers, wine if they drink & I know it.*
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by nonmusicmom
10 Nov 2009
Some how I knew you would be a yes. The reason I asked is last week we went to a church get together at the home of one of our elders and I was the only one who gave a hostess gift. It made me think I had lost my mind.lol:0)
by lflanders
10 Nov 2009
If it were not a tradition, it is never wrong to show appreciation in a way that is useful! Do not waste your time worrying about what others do or don't do, just be yourself. Any show of appreciation makes the host/hostess feel good. As long as it is something that they will use, I am sure it is appreciated. Just my personal favorite, but I enjoy getting and giving homemade items because it shows that someone put some effort into what they brought. Sometimes that would not be a proper gift but only in rare occasions. It also shows that you have been raised to show appreciation! Too many people in these days and times do not take the time to even say Thank You must less do something special.
by nonmusicmom
11 Nov 2009
I'm not worrying if it is right or not because I will continue with what I was taught . I just wanted to know how many others were taught the same. I'm glad there are lots of us out there. Thanks
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109774Absolutely! Even a bottle of wine or a dozen cookies. Always a hostess gift. Just plain good manners!
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10393I do it all the time. You can give what ever you want. Sometimes I will give a home made product with a recipe, embroidered stuff, flowers, etc. AS LONG as she can use it and it doesnt end up in a cupboard.
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18960Yes! It is just good manners. We entertain more than being entertained. Seems like most people bring us a bottle of wine, or dessert, and since we seldom drink wine, we end up taking it to someone elses' house. Yes, that's called re-gifting. Who knows how many times the same bottle of wine has been passed from house to house? On the other hand, if you bring them something embroidered, put their initials on it, so they can't regift it without bring caught! :) Oh love those holidays coming up!
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by nonmusicmom
10 Nov 2009
Regifting is always fun! Some times the bottles of wine end up as a white elephant gift.LOL
by marjialexa
10 Nov 2009
Hee hee hee, shades of Jerry Seinfeld! Monogrammed gifts are harder, have to find someone with the same initials, hee hee hee. Hugs, M
by nonmusicmom
11 Nov 2009
My husband and my daughter have the same initals so I have two that some things can be regifted.
12707Yes i always take something every time even if its to my sisters home!!!Not just @ c/mas but all year.Carolyn
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by nonmusicmom
10 Nov 2009
Thanks for sharing. I am starting some simple gifts for the holidays since hubby is a teacher we have many parties to attend.
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