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Five-Star Thank-You Gifts

You’ve just been invited to a get-together—and surely you don’t want to arrive empty-handed, do you? Guided by the wisdom of one of the great celebrity chefs and a hostess with the mostest, we deliver five-star gift-giving advice and invite you to contribute too.

Though we’ve made it past the frenzy of the holiday season, wintertime is still ripe for get-togethers and dinner parties, from casual hangs like the Super Bowl to birthdays and other celebratory occasions. Whether you’re set to show up in sweats to eat nachos or a suit coat to sit down to enjoy a nice meal, you don’t want to show up empty-handed. After all, you want to be a house/dinner guest worth inviting back, don’t you?

Growing up, I watched a lot of Food Network. While all my peers watched cartoons, I was glued to the television as the three rounds of Chopped unfolded, mentally constructing my edible offerings and taking notes. On grey days, one of my favorite comfort shows to tune into was Barefoot Contessa. Like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten is one of the great hostesses of our time. Not only does she serve up simple, crowd-pleasing recipes and tips to host an unpretentious meal, but she also gives some stellar thank-you gift-giving advice to guests.

Ina Garten’s Gift-Giving Advice

As someone who loves food and preparing it for others, Ina intimately understands the preparation and thought a host/hostess undertakes in having people over. From setting a menu to choosing cocktails and wine pairings, it can be a lot of work, and she wants to respect that as a guest. In Ina’s eyes, introducing a drink or dish that may not fit with the flavor profile or vibe your host/hostess has in mind is a big faux pas. The last thing she wants is for the host/hostess to feel obligated to serve what she brings, just because it’s a gift. So, here are her biggest gift-giving no-nos: no wine, flowers, or appetizers.

When it comes to edible offerings, Ina’s advice is to bring a beverage and/or food item that the host/hostess can enjoy the morning after hosting, such as coffee and granola. Now, you may be thinking, Flowers aren’t edible, and wine is something that can be saved for another time, no? True. So, if you bring flowers, Ina suggests having them already arranged and in a vase with a little water. This way, the host/hostess doesn’t have to fuss with them while they’re entertaining. As for wine, I’d (respectfully) like to challenge Ina. If you’re going to the home of a wine lover or collector, how could you really go wrong with a nice bottle in a festive wine bag?

Gifting 101: Give With Intention

What it all comes down to is intention. What you bring and why you bring it should be clear. A contribution to the meal is not the same as a thank-you gift. Asking the age-old question: “can I bring anything?” when accepting your invite can help you make this discernment and get some gift-giving insight. This question also opens the door for the host/hostess to request you bring a specific item, delegate a task to you (like bringing an app), or answer with the typical, “Just bring yourself.” 

If their response is akin to the former two, then you can ask to bring a specific item—like wine—to share with the group. But, let’s be clear, this is still a contribution to the dinner, not a gift for the host/hostess. If you have a gift in mind, ask yourself: Why am I bringing this item? Is it really something I want to enjoy at the dinner or is it truly a thank-you gift to show my appreciation for the invite and effort of the host/hostess? A five-star thank-you gift should always be one the host/hostess doesn’t feel inclined to share if they don’t want to.

Image credit: Rawpixel / iStock

Say Thank-You With These Five-Star Gifts 

Bearing in mind Ina’s advice, here are a few gift ideas you can turn to when you’re feeling stuck on what to bring to your next dinner party or get-together. Remember, the best way to say thank you is to show up with an empty stomach and with an intentional gift in hand. 

Edible

A Beverage to Brew: In line with Ina’s advice, a fun bag of coffee beans is an aromatic gift your host/hostess can enjoy the morning after entertaining. If they’re not a caffeine drinker, then an assortment of herbal teas is a great alternative.

Crunchy Snacks: From crunchy snacks to light breakfast foods like granola, Ina has a section on her website titled “Edible Gifts”. The best part: Each of her recipes is marked by difficulty, so even if you’re not a wiz in the kitchen, you can still make a delicious gift.

Specialty Pantry Items: Specialty spices, a flavorful spice blend, or some high-end salts can be a fun addition to your host/hostesses’ spice rack. Likewise, an infused olive oil or a farmers market find like a seasonal preserve or pickles can also be a delicious option.

Non-Edible

A Baking Dish: If what you’re attending is a potluck, then consider serving your edible contribution in a unique baking dish. This way, your meal will be served in style and you can leave your host/hostess with a function gift they can use for years to come.

A Potted Plant: Despite Ina’s suggestion to forgo bringing flowers, a potted perennial or your host/hostess’ favorite herb can be a lovely gift, especially if they’re a gardening aficionado, nature lover, or home cook. It’s a gift that will keep on giving. 

A Decorative Dish Towel: From punny sayings to beautiful embroidery, there’s a dish towel in every style out there. The kitchen can be a messy place, so there’s no such thing as having too many dish towels. It’s always nice to have a fresh one on hand and something to display that offers both form and function.

A Candle: Now, scent can be very subjective, so this gift is best given to a host/hostess you already know really well. Take into account what you’ve previously seen and smelled in their home, and, from there, you can either fully lean into the seasonal candle scents; go for a more mellow, crowd-pleasing smell like lavender; or opt for a scent-free soy-based candle in a decorative container.

A Hand Soap and Lotion Duo: With all the cooking and cleaning a host/hostess does, who doesn’t want a hand soap and lotion combo? This gift especially comes in handy (pun intended) during the winter months.

What’s your favorite thank-you gift to give? Share your go-to items in the comments so we can all be five-star guests. 

Cover image credit: g-stockstudio / iStock

See medical disclaimer below. ↓

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The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.

 

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