Hey, it's just around the corner. It being the biggest party month of the
year. You're invited here, you're invited there...and if you have learned one
thing from Mom, it's that you never go anywhere empty-handed! And that's a
fact.
You don't have to go overboard. And it also depends on the
"event" itself. An open house might deserve something a little less
than a sit-down dinner. But if your host/ess has invited you over to share and
considers you a friend, you better come up with the goods.
There are the usual items: a bottle of wine (not Ripple), a box of candy
(maybe Whitman's, but I suggest not - try Godiva), some cut flowers (wrapped
in paper, not cellophane from the grocery store) or a potted plant (nothing as
small as an African Violet, yet not a fichus tree either). Then there are the
not so usual items: soap (that looks like candy), guest towels (hopefully,
they'll match the decor), a gallon of Absolut (with a note to freeze) or a
giant tin of popcorn (so what if they sell them at Walmart?).
Of course, you could be really original and creative. What? you bellow.
Don't panic. I know you were thinking those were some great ideas in the
preceding paragraph, however, with a little thought about who your host/ess
actually is, you may come up with something wonderful.
I have a friend who collects spoons. I never go to her house for dinner
without a spoon for her collection. It shows I put some real thought into her
gift. If I have to resort to flowers, I make sure the container is something
my host/ess can keep--and there are plenty of holiday oriented
baskets/pots/ceramic holders at your local florist. If this is a gourmet meal
and I know my host/ess well enough to know she designed butter pats to look
like holly, I may offer up a gift certificate for a facial, manicure or foot
rub. If she's planned for weeks and this is a shindig for family and friends,
I just may bring her sanity
beads so she can keep calm, remain sane and be around next year to invite
me back again.
Good gift. Good guest.
Party on,
The Party Professor
