# Small hostess gift ideas? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224 "2020-11-23T00:03:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/1 "2020-11-23T00:03:22Z")
A nice woman I work with invited me over for Thanksgiving. It’s just her and her two kids (plus me, I guess) so a very informal thing. But, I’d like to bring _something_ and because [reasons] I was looking for ideas other than wine. But I hate giving people obligations, so a potted plant or something might impose too much. Gotta find a sunny spot, what if they have a rambunctious pet, etc. … or I’m totally overthinking this. Feel free to tell me that’s the case. I don’t really know anything about her, unfortunately, so Dopers: any suggestions for a small, inoffensive, generic little gift? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/2 "2020-11-23T00:09:18Z")
Cut flowers, perhaps, instead of a potted plant? No real obligation aside from putting them in water. Or a box of chocolate, which the kids might like. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/3 "2020-11-23T00:17:49Z")
I think a potted plant would be fine. Or the above chocolates - Turtles, Almond Roca, etc. Maybe something simple for the kids to help keep them occupied, like Connect-the Dots books or something. I always found unexpected cut flowers a bit awkward, having to drop everything to find the right vase, re-cut the stems, find a good spot for it (at an already crowded table), etc. I imagine most people are better prepared than I am, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/4 "2020-11-23T00:21:26Z")
You could just bring the cut flowers already in a vase. Requires a bit of planning so it doesn’t fall over in the car, though. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/5 "2020-11-23T00:23:39Z")
A nice tin of Christmas cookies. No obligation to eat them right away since there is food already. With two kids they will be gone before Christmas and kids think tins are special. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/6 "2020-11-23T00:26:51Z")
One of my standard house gifts is a simple, inexpensive and small oil lamp. It is decorative, and also functional in case of power outage (or earthquake, here in the SFBA CA). Maybe that? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/7 "2020-11-23T00:36:05Z")
The cupcakes are my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/8 "2020-11-23T02:42:19Z")
I vote for tin of Christmas cookies. Or an Advent calendar. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the First Sunday of Advent. You don’t have to be particularly religious to enjoy them. Trader Joe’s has them for a dollar and there’s a piece of chocolate for every day. Get one for each kid. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/9 "2020-11-23T02:45:29Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I vote for tin of Christmas cookies. Another +1 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/10 "2020-11-23T02:55:38Z")
Those blue tins of Danish butter cookies were a standard Christmas gift item when I was growing up. And usually the same section of the store has packages of [Panettone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panettone). And if you’re a Costco member, there are some good options there, like the big plastic container of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. And there’s always fruitcake. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/11 "2020-11-23T03:12:46Z")
How about a ventilator in case of Covid? Because if she keeps inviting enough people, she’s gonna need one. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/12 "2020-11-23T04:20:57Z")
“Keeps inviting people” my ass. I’m not “people” I’m one person, and we _work_ together, 8- to 10-hour shifts, in a rather small enclosed space, for months now. That’s what I meant about part of the same bubble. We got each other’s breath-germs by now, believe me. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/13 "2020-11-23T04:54:54Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Those blue tins of Danish butter cookies were a standard Christmas gift item when I was growing up. I vote for these specifically. The tins are big enough to stash stuff, and the cookies look all sparkly and pretty. Everyone needs a fruitcake this time of year. They last for years and are traditional re-gifts. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/14 "2020-11-23T04:57:25Z")
But what do you give a large hostess? [I’ll show myself out.] ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/15 "2020-11-23T05:06:56Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Trader Joe’s has them for a dollar and there’s a piece of chocolate for every day. Get one for each kid. Grand idea-I have 2 sitting in the rocking chair by the door waiting to go over to my daughter’s and granddaughter’s. Plus it is easy to grab some TJ cupcakes and cookies for the kids while you are there. A box of chocolates for Mom and you are set! Never had a bad bottle of wine from there either. Two weeks ago they had an appealing display of sparkling wines and hard ciders-those are festive. Plus they have sparkling apple/cranberry juice in a big bottle for kids-also festive and fun. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/16 "2020-11-23T05:15:17Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > But what do you give a large hostess? > > [I’ll show myself out.] I’m thinking these. Maybe deep fried. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SL6ZNNK/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_fabt1\_vs0UFbKKD5Y23](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SL6ZNNK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_vs0UFbKKD5Y23) [I’ll show myself out.] ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/17 "2020-11-23T06:32:27Z")
Candle in a jar or tin, so it doesn’t even need a candle holder. For me, if I had time/inclination, I often make a family favorite recipe, such as cookies or quick bread, either of which can be thrown in the freezer for eating later. Or I stop at a bakery, which also sell fancy chocolates. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/18 "2020-11-23T07:52:01Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > How about a ventilator in case of Covid? Because if she keeps inviting enough people, she’s gonna need one. While Thanksgiving gatherings and Covid are a legitimate concern, the topic of this thread is gift ideas. Your opinion about Covid risks is off-topic for this thread. If you feel a need to discuss holidays and Covid risks, feel free to start a new thread and link back to this one. Let’s keep all posts within this thread on-topic, please. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/19 "2020-11-23T08:10:25Z")
Another vote for Christmas cookies or Danish butter cookies. They will keep until Christmas, at least, and the kids will love them in the meantime. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224/20 "2020-11-23T15:30:47Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Grand idea-I have 2 sitting in the rocking chair by the door waiting to go over to my daughter’s and granddaughter’s. Plus it is easy to grab some TJ cupcakes and cookies for the kids while you are there. I picked up two at TJ’s this morning for my neighbor’s kids. Okay, the kids are 21 and 30, but who doesn’t love a chocolate-filled Advent calendar? BTW, I looked for “shrimp buns,” but they only had pork buns, which also looked yummy so I got some. The store people hadn’t heard of shrimp buns, so maybe they’re not all over the USA. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-hostess-gift-ideas/926224.md?page=2)