never show up empty handed
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Whether you are heading to a friend’s house for dinner or attending a party, it’s always a good idea to bring the host a gift. It’s a way to show the host you are grateful to be included in the celebration; another way of saying thank you. I mean, who doesn’t like to receive gifts?! Wine, flowers, and small pieces for the home are all great host gifts.
Now, a gift can mean a variety of things depending on the occasion so I’ve outlined some of my favorite ideas for you below.
housewarming
A cookbook. I’ve just recently started to get into cooking so this has been a fun one for me. I never before had the desire to be in the kitchen (unless it was with my feet up and glass of wine in hand), but in the last few years I took a deep dive into all things homemade. That said, a cookbook is a great gift, especially if it’s one you love and use often. I like to write a small note on the inside and include the page number for my favorite recipe. You can also wrap it in a dish towel for extra points 😉.
If you aren’t big into cooking, other great housewarming gifts include flowers, a houseplant or terrarium (fun to make yourself too - check out my DIY), wine glasses, cheese board and/or cheese knives, a picture frame (cute to add a photo of you guys together in it!), even specialty food items like olive oil or preserves.
dinner with friends
Bring a bottle of wine. This is usually my go-to. It can be an easy thing to grab if you need something last minute, but it can also be very personal. Visit a winery in the last few months that you loved? Bring a bottle of that and tell them all about it! Have a favorite bottle for nights by yourself? Add a note to it and tell her to enjoy next time she needs a relaxing evening. Don’t expect the wine you bring to be opened during the event. The host might already have wines picked out or maybe they want to save it for a night when the two of you can open it alone (that’s the best). Some of my favorites are:
guest of honor
Shower (bridal, baby, etc) – something from their registry. Although you technically have free reign to give them whatever you want, I always say stick to the registry. This way you are buying them something they really want, and something they can/will use because…well because they asked for it!
Holiday (birthday, christmas, etc) – make it personal and useful. This can be a tricky one sometimes, especially when it comes to kids presents. I always like to put at least a little meaning behind the gifts that I give. So, unless someone asks for, or needs something specific, I try to think of an experience we had together that would tie into the gift or something I remember they loved that they never would buy themselves.
My favorite gift I've given is a family cookbook - I collected recipes from all my family members (brothers, parents, aunts and uncles and my grandparents) and made a book I titled "Everything Tastes Better Homemade". Not only was it great to have all those recipes in one place (no more texting my mom for her chocolate chip cookie recipe every time I get a craving), but it also brings back memories of when we ate those dishes and let's us reminisce every time we flip through it.
What are some of your gifting ideas? I'd love to hear them!
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