My co worker is hosting a dinner at her house and I don’t know if I should take a gift. If so, what should I take? We really aren’t celebrating anything, she has just been wanting everyone to go over and see her house since she purchased it last year. Please any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
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Some pretty flowers or a box of chocolates would be very nice to bring as a hostess gift. Maybe a bottle of wine. It is always nice to bring a small gift to the host or hostess.
Yes, a hostess gift is usually appropriate, although not everyone brings one.
For my friend’s housewarming one New Year’s Day, I took her a large houseplant. It turned out that it looked great with her 50’s decor. This time of year, though, there will be hanging geraniums & petunias that are perfect for a hot patio. These were brought in for Mother’s Day gifts, & may be picked over by now. You could get her summer blooming bulbs in a net bag & ready to plant in her yard, if you know that she has a yard. These would be tiger lilies, other lilies, or glads. A basil plant is also wonderful, especially if it’s in a big enough pot, 6″ or bigger, that it won’t need to be re-potted. A potted basil can generally be kept outside in the summer then often dies after that. When buying a plant, especially at a supermarket, give a little taps to the leaves to see if any white flies will come flying out because those can suck the sap out of the leaves & cause them to wilt & die.
A mixed bouquet from the supermarket is also wonderful, but if you’re taking it to a party, it’s best to include a vase because she won’t have time to fuss with it. I often go to thrift shops to stock up on vases & wine carafes that can be used as vases. Then I’m not adding much to the cost of giving a bouquet.
Such things as dish towels, candles, or magnets are also good. The only thing is, you won’t know what colors she likes unless you go by the dominant colors of her clothes. I suppose you could always ask, but that kind of spoils the surprise. Since you’re coworkers, you probably would have noticed if she has any dietary limitations & could get her some treat such as fruit preserves or nuts. Besides wine, there’s also sparkling apple juice, fruit juice, or fruit flavored mineral water. Any of these will probably fit in the standard gift bag for wine. I’ve also given Christmas ornaments, incense, & cookie cutters, particularly if there are kids. In any case, as you see, a hostess gift does not need to be expensive. I’ve spent $1-$10 on them.
A decent bottle of wine is usually customary… Or a plant or flowers…
I like to get bulbs and a pretty pot with some spanish moss on top to cover the soil and take that over as a gift. If you have enough time to allow the bulb to sprout, it’s far more impressive but you can buy a pretty plant for cheep this time of year almost anywhere and a pot for $5. and you have a gift!
But that’s if you really care… Otherwise, some chocolates or a bottle of wine is usually the best and fastest way to go.
A hostess gift would be nice but not mandatory. Housewarming gifts are usually a plant. But hostess gifts can be candy or wine or some generic thing. I always bring something so I am not indebted. I mean usually when one is invited somewhere; reciprocation is required by having them to your home. But then I prefer to keep social life separate from professional life.