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Supacase's avatar

What is a good gift to take to someone hosting you in their home?

Asked by Supacase (14568points) July 21st, 2009

My daughter and I are going to visit a lady I have known well online for 3–4 years. She is older than me – I am in my 30s, she is in her 50s. Her daughter is around my age and her grandaughters are both very close to my daughter’s age.

We will be guests in her home for two nights and I would like to bring something that shows my appreciation as well as the fact that I value our friendship, so I don’t want a token gift. She likes sewing, reading, cooking and quilting.

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13 Answers

aprilsimnel's avatar

A good wine or a sturdy plant is an appropriate gift. Or a book about one of her hobbies, I think, would be nice too.

ShanEnri's avatar

Yes I would think a book, maybe a cookbook! Maybe some type of cross stitch. A plant is always nice and my daughter says food! So maybe some type of gift basket?!

Supacase's avatar

She doesn’t drink, so wine is out and I am not particularly a fan of plants. I dislike getting them, so I never get them.

I like the idea of a cookbook. There is one of my state that she might enjoy. I like the idea of a regular book, too, if I can think of one I know she wants. Maybe I can make some cookies or banana bread to go with?

fireinthepriory's avatar

@Supacase I like the idea of a cookbook that’s regional to where you’re from, along with a homemade baked good. I’d love to receive that as a gift – thoughtful and delicious. :)

CMaz's avatar

Give them that christmas stuff you have in your closet. Ya know, the basket of soap and shampoos. Still have that pack of cheese and smoked sausage in the back of the fridge. Give ‘em that.

jbfletcherfan's avatar

How about a gift certificate to Bath & Body Works? EVERYONE likes that. I sure would. Or to a nice local restaurant. A gift cert lets THEM pick out what they want.

dynamicduo's avatar

I think a regional cookbook would be a great gift! And edible gifts are rarely ever frowned upon, so I think your proposed idea is a great one :)

Jack79's avatar

Well it obviously depends on the person. A good idea of course might be something for the home, but I can’t think of what exactly she would need/like/appreciate. Personally I host a lot of people at my home every year and the best present someone can bring me is tea, since I drink a lot of it and can’t buy it here.

Supacase's avatar

Oh! @Jack79 she loves tea!

figbash's avatar

There are a few things you can get! First, a specialty signature food or baked good from your home state. i.e. I live in Seattle, so I usually try to bring salmon, dungeness crab, apples, cherries, or something from Pike Place Market. A specialty coffee or tea would also be great.

Like DD said, you can also bring her a cookbook specifically from your area, or something that shows her a little of your local flavor.

The other thing you could consider is going to a unique fabric store (hopefully a local one that has some character) and picking her up a few interesting squares to add to her quilting bin.

You could get one of each item, including the fabric squares, put it in a basket and wrap it in cellophane. She’ll be thrilled!

Nially_Bob's avatar

Would chocolates be appropriate?

gailcalled's avatar

You can also prepare a meal, including marketing and clean-up or take the who gang to a restaurant. But youre right. You can’t arrive empty-handed. What about nice soaps or hand lotion for the guest bath?

Skaggfacemutt's avatar

A bottle of booze of some sort is the norm, but you’ve already said that wouldn’t work. If you live in a different location, something exclusive to that location would work. Look in your local airport. Otherwise, I would just take her and her family out to a nice restaurant one night. Any other gift mentioned here would be a “token gift” and you said you didn’t want to do that.

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