Have you been invited to a party, get together or to someone’s house for a holiday dinner? Then do not forget to take a hostess gift. Remember your friends or family have gone to considerable work and expense to host their event. They may have even taken time off from work to get ready. Be considerate and show that you have good etiquette, know that it is appropriate to take your hosts or hostess a small gift like the Chicago Cutlery Cheese Set. As a young would-be bride, my soon to be mother in-law’s friends were throwing a bridal shower luncheon at a fancy venue on my behalf. I didn’t know to take hostess gifts to the ladies who were doing this favor for my mother in-law. My mother in-law never said a word of criticism to me (she was very kind), but that time it registered. I had been embarrassed twice by my own social naivety, and I’ve never done that again.
A hostess gift need not be a big deal. Essentially what you are saying is I know you have gone to trouble and expense to invite me, so here is a small gift to show my appreciation. The gift can be as simple as a bottle of wine, flowers, or a pretty candle. If you know your hostess likes to cook, buy them a kitchen gadget that they wouldn’t buy for themselves. It’s like getting a toy. If they like to entertain, then buy them a cheese board or pretty baking dish. An upscale cork screw would make a nice gift, and in the case of my cookie exchange, I could have taken my hostess some new baking sheets or cookie cutters. In the event you have already been to your party and have been remiss in giving a hostess gift, it’s not too late. You can send them a gift basket and that serve double duty as a hostess gift and thank you note. Who wouldn’t love to be surprised even it’s been a couple of weeks since your event. There are numerous gift baskets to suit different interests and your budget. You can order on line and write your own message of appreciation. It’s as simple as that, and your reputation of having good social skills has been preserved.
