Holiday Hostess Gifts, lots of style, easy on the budget

Posted: September 28, 2010 7:55 PM | Posted By : Anything Joe's
Related Categories: Holiday Ideas

Every year as we move into the Holiday Season, you will be bombarded with invitations to attend numerous Christmas and New Year's Parties thrown by friends, co-workers, employers and family that are "must attends".

There may be some of these parties you feel lucky to have been included in the guest list and want to do everything just right from the RSVP to the outfit to the Hostess Gift that etiquette demands you bring... or does it.

We weren't sure, so we did our homework and this is what Emily Post recommends:

"When should I bring a host or hostess gift?

Drop In or Cocktail parties
Host and Hostess gifts are completely optional for cocktail parties so it's up to you. A bottle of wine or a batch of blueberry muffins for the next morning—or something seasonal, like an ornament—would be thoughtful. Be sure to enclose a gift card so the host won’t wonder whose thought it was that counts.

Dinner party
Yes, bring a gift, but keep it simple and under $25. Anything that distracts the host may be a nuisance. A bottle of wine, a small potted plant, a flower arrangement already in a vase, candles, or soaps are better bets. Present the gift to your host when you arrive, or leave it on an entry way table if your host isn’t there to greet you.

Casual get together such as brunch
Gifts are optional. You may choose instead to bring something to the meal—a side dish, dessert or drink. But ask: just showing up with a tray of Danish puts the host on the spot.

Overnight stay
A gift is mandatory. You can present the gift upon your arrival, during your stay, or after your exit. Consider giving your hosts something you note in the course of your visit that would be right for them, like a tray Holiday Tray. The longer the stay, the more expensive or elaborate the gift. For example, for a weekend stay, you may decide to send flowers. If you’ve stayed for three nights or more, a gift certificate to the host’s favorite spa or restaurant would be a good bet.

What do you give the host who has everything?
Everyone likes a thank-you. Even the simplest token can have an impact—flowers, homemade jam, or a batch of your fabulous chocolate cookies.

Should you send something if you're not attending?
There’s no need to send a gift to a host or hostess if you’re not attending the event.

If I call a host the next day to thank her, must I also send a note? Is an email acceptable?
A call the next day is always thoughtful. For a dinner party, a phone call is enough. For informal gatherings among close friends, either a call or an email is fine. But after an overnight visit, a handwritten note is the way to go.

If a dinner party guest brings me a special gift, should I acknowledge that thank-you gesture with a thank-you note?
A verbal thanks is sufficient. But if you didn’t get to thank your guests at the party, you do need either to call or to drop a short note so that your guest knows you received the gift.

If I bring a gift or a contribution to a dinner, do I still need to send a thank-you note afterward?
If you’ve brought a gift or contributed to dinner and said thanks verbally for a wonderful evening, a written note isn’t necessary.

Perfect Holiday Hostess Gifts from Anything Joe's

When to give?
If it’s a dinner party, offer your gift when you arrive. Overnight guests can give upon arrival or during their stay. A gift can also be sent once you return home, once you’ve had a chance to see what the host may need."

So enjoy your parties and remeber that the act of giving a gift will enhance your Holiday experience as much or more than those receiving the gift!

(Host and Hostess Gift Etiquette rules adapted from the Emily Post Web Site)

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