How to Thank A Hostess with a Gift or a Hug
When I was a little girl, my parents had a large circle of friends and family, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to be invited to dinner almost every weekend. I wish at the time I would have had more mature eyes to notice mom’s sweet ways of saying “thank you,” as we’d be greeted at the front door.
Mom would give a hug and she’d hold her hand out with a precious gift.
A thank you gift.
A hostess gift.
They were never expensive and were rarely store-bought.
Many times, in Mom’s hands were garden treats or flowers from her yard.
Or something yummy in a jar.
Today it might be a fun potholder or a lotion or soap.
A fresh couple of kitchen towels.
It could even be a roll of MyDrap paper napkins.
The point was not to impress, but to say thank you.
The reality today is that, even if you don’t have time to bring a specific hostess gift when you’re invited out, a hug will usually do. (But there’s always chocolate, wine, baked breads or a fun kitchen gadgets, if you really insist on more than a hug.) :)
What are your favorite hostess gifts to bring?
Next time you want to treat your favorite hostess, consider one of these delicious recipes instead:
Homemade Chocolate Sauce
Homemade Salsa
Flip-Over Strawberry/Raspberry Jam
Apple Pie in a Jar
I’m linking to Add a Pinch today. Every Monday you can link and share on Robyn’s Mingle Monday!
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
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I love bringing people bouquets of herbs from my garden!
My girlfriend always brings a loaf of her fresh baked bread–I love having her over! I usually cop out the easy way and bring a bottle of wine. When I have time, I like to find a small antique like a beautiful bowl or plate that is inexpensive but special.
One of my favorite hostess gifts is bringing dried herbs or even a fresh herb bouquet from my garden. Of course there is always your book that also makes for an amazing gift……
love you,
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I think anything homemade is a wonderful hostess gift, but I agree that dish cloths or a pretty new kitchen towel is a great way to say “thank you.”
Being an avid bread baker the first thing I always think of is a loaf of bread!
But hand knit dish cloths are also high up on my priority list!
I love taking something homemade as a hostess gift. Usually something baked or a can of something I’ve canned!
Perfect idea! You are my go-to now without a doubt! Great post girl!
Sandy, I loved the pic of the jar of strawberries. You just gave me some ideas for back to school gifts too for the teachers. I loved how you kept the price tags on the gifts to let us know it’s the thought that counts. ;)
I love to bring FLOWERS! Preferably cut and in a vase of some sort so the hostess doesn’t have to run around trying to find something to put them in…they are ready to place wherever she would like!
Have a beautiful week, Sandy!
;-D Kathleen
Usually I have a drawer full of napkins that I find @ Christmas Tree Shops or spmewhere. I put them in a bag w/tissue and home-made note saying thank you. My mom never went to someone’s house empty-handed, so I try and do the same. I also keep candles on hand as well
We all seem to have so much “stuff”, so I have done a few disposable gifts. First, I buy a loaf of breakfast bread form our local bakery and tie it up with a new dish towel for the “morning after”. And in the Fall and Winter I have given a few paperwhite bulbs, some beach rocks, in a pot and instructions on how to grow them. Very popular gift! Especially in the winter in Wisconsin.
I never go to someone’s without a dish or a small gift. Mom said to do it that way. So that’s how I roll. I’ve actually starting knitting a small stack of cotton washcloths to have on hand as small gifts.
I love leaving something small just to say Thank you for putting aside time to entertain ME!
I couldn’t agree more! I think baked bread, or a bottle of wine or chocolate is always nice.
Oh hey, I wouldn’t mind a copy of NEW MOON and ECLIPSE.
Any takers?
I was stuck on how much more common it was to get together in years past. “We” think we are just too busy to take a Summer evening and spend it with friends….Our generation needs to return to times spent with friends and family.
I like your ideas for hostess gifts.
My first choice is always something home/hand made. A jar of jam or a couple of hand knit cotton dishcloths tied with a pretty ribbon will do the trick. Yesterday tho we were invited to a brunch here in the mts. and I had neither of those items on hand. I knew there would be several children there so I stopped at the market and picked up one of the small seedless watermelons and it turned out to be a big hit. There can never be enough watermelon in the summer.
Darla
I love what you said: the point was not to impress, but to say thank you. I will remember that the next time I obsess about a hostess gift!