My handwriting would not be considered a gift by anyone, anywhere. I can barely sign my name these (mostly digital) days!
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I don’t even have white paper.
True story.
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Lurk on, lurker! And I’m sure you know that your name came up as well.
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You don’t get or stay rich by feeding the masses for free …
You can, and you will. It’s all about saying thank you. How one does so is a personal choice. To us, writing is a genuine and obviously personal way to do so.
In a different context, the inestimable Billy Joe Shaver wrote, “The Devil made me do it the first time, the second time I done it on my own.”
If I were hosting, if there was no pre-arranged division of dishes, I would not expect to receive anything.
I would not mind receiving a small token, though something edible or very practical (love the kitchen towel idea) would be appreciated more than another dust-catching object. Flowers okay. Herb plants fabulous!
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C’mon Ipse - As a moderator on this board you should be held to a higher standard. An inside joke is one thing, but some of us check out both places. The exchange between them was anything but funny.
Funny how fraught this topic is! I have to revise my original thought, which was in summary, if they said bring nothing, that was their wish. I actually think there is a lot of wisdom to those who said it could be just a throwaway comment meant to imply that they don’t need or expect anything, but that they’d appreciate it if you did bring a token of appreciation.
Know your hosts. Presumably you know them somewhat if they’re having you over. And get something small but thoughtful that you think will be appreciated and not offend. Some of the comments above surprise me. Christmas ornaments and candles, nuts. I’m a Jew with a nut allergic kid. Neither of those would be appreciated by me. But I do hope you know enough about your hosts that you can make a meaningful choice.
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Nowhere in my post did I say Christmas. I specifically said seasonal.
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Somebody else said Christmas candle or ornament. And there was a pic of a Christmas kitchen towel…Could be a mixup.
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“poinsettia, Christmas cactus, or small evergreen (rosemary “trees”
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I’d like a snowball please! Or something that speaks to your fairly unique living situation.
I assure you that many Greek Americans use the approach I describe. Half my family is Greek American and this is what they do.
My half Irish-half German American cousins are less likely to bring hostess gifts. I see that as somewhat regional, as well. The half-Irish-half German cousin married to an Italian American gets the hostess gift thing, because it tends to be common in the Italian American communities, too.
These are just anecdotes. Depends on your circle and region, and upbringing.
I will be making it to the dinner party .You bet . This is ongoing. Pics front and back door . House is back 300 feet from the street . Not living in the concrete jungle. Well worth it . It’s just winter . Cheers.
I’ll be bringing bread and wine . Needed or not . 6 :15 pm Friday. More snow tonight.
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Bread and wine. Hostess gift and/or winter travel survival kit! Excellent choice
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Christmas cactus is the common name because it blooms at that time of the year. Theres also a Thanksgiving cactus and an Easter cactus, based solely on the timing of the blooms.
Christians are not the only ones who buy those plants that time of year. My Jewish friends have poinsettias, my pagan friends have enormous rosemary trees.
Im going to assume that if you’re close enough to be invited for dinner you’d have at least a vague idea of whether something was appropriate.
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To add my (French) grain of salt to this conversation, it is normal and expected to bring a small present to the hosts when invited to a meal at home. Generally a reasonable bottle of wine, which is not expected to be drunk at the party, box of chocolate, nothing too personal unless you know the hosts well. No flowers for reasons mentioned above, unless you have them delivered ahead (but that would be for a formal invitation), I sometimes bring a pot of fresh oregano leaves from my garden, or some extra special olive oil if I know the hostess likes to cook. Same applies to Portugal where I live, and I think to most of Europe, it is a cultural / education thing, like the thank you telephone call / email / letter the next day.
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A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou. Classic!
Drive or walk carefully.
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Major snow storm happening now . Plus the power is out .Which means the pump for the well is shut off . No water . I’m supposed to be there at 2 . I don’t even no what the driveway or street looks like .Geez.
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All good thoughts. I hope your hosts have a generator or they’re in worse trouble than you are!
If everything falls apart, at least you have bread and wine!
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