Should I Bring a Gift?
It seems like more and more people now day's think it's alright to come for a birthday party, Christmas party, house warming party or a wedding party without a gift. This is so not on. A simple gift is customary. Can you imagine a Christmas or Birthday without presents? The Gift does not have to be expensive it just has to be thoughtful
Recently I threw A Birthday Party for a friend and invited other friends to come for the surprise party at least 75% came without a present. What are people thinking about nowday's? Has it become so impersonal, Don't you expect presents for your Birthday or Festive Season.??? When you come your host is usually treating you to drinks and food so don't you think you should give the person a present as a momento for the occassion
Remember its the thought that counts and not how expensive the gift is. Your host will appreciate your gift as long as you put some thought in the gift you are giving. The fun should be not be in receiving but also in the giving.
-Bestfbkl
Should I Bring a Hostess Gift?
A gift for your host or hostess is a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality and is always appreciated. It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive; simply consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice. In some parts of the country, a hostess gift is considered obligatory, while in other places a gift is brought only on special occasions. If it's the first time you're visiting someone's home, then it's a very nice gesture to bring a small gift. If you have a few extra minutes to wrap it, even if you only use tissue or a decorative bag, it adds to the gesture.
Wine, flowers, specialty food items, and small items for the house all make good hostess gifts. Flowers are terrific too, but if you want to go beyond Etiquette 101, bring them in a simple vase (a Mason jar is fine). You could also offer to put them in water yourself when you arrive so your host doesn't have to arrange them. If you bring wine, don't expect your host to serve it that evening- the wines may have already been chosen for the meal. And don't bring food for the meal unless you've been asked to. Otherwise you risk putting your host on the spot and upsetting the menu. Here are a few tips on what to bring when:Casual dinner party
Dinner party guests usually bring a hostess gift unless they are close friends who dine together frequently. Gift possibilities include wine, Champagne, flowers (preferably in a vase), a potted plant, chocolates
, specialty food items such as jams and jellies
or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil
or vinegars, or items for the house, such as cocktail napkins
, guest soaps and lotions
, a picture frame
, or a scented candle
. A CD or book is also appropriate if you know your host's taste.
, specialty food items such as jams and jellies or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil or vinegars, or items for the house, such as cocktail napkins, guest soaps and lotions , a picture frame, or a scented candle. A CD or book is also appropriate if you know your host's taste.Formal dinner party
Gifts aren't usually taken to large, formal dinners, especially if you don't know the host well.
When there's a guest of honor
If it's a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or shower, bring a gift for the honoree.
When you're the guest of honor
Bring a gift for your host or hostess, or send flowers before the party. After the party, send a thank-you note.
Housewarming
It's customary to bring a gift to a housewarming. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be something lasting for the house. Possible gifts include guest towels
, a houseplant, a patio or garden plant, glasses
,dish towels
, a picture frame, specialty foods like a great olive oil
or preserves, or a cheeseboard
and/or cheese knives
. Update an old-fashioned housewarming tradition of giving salt, and bring fancy sea salt
and/or a saltbox
or saltcellar. If the housewarming is for a neighbor new to your town, consider putting together a welcome kit containing area maps, the town paper, restaurant menus, bookmarks from your favorite bookstore, transportation schedules, and information on local parks and recreation facilities- anything that will make it easier for her to feel welcome and at home in her new community.
, a houseplant, a patio or garden plant, glasses,dish towels, a picture frame, specialty foods like a great olive oil or preserves, or a cheeseboardand/or cheese knives. Update an old-fashioned housewarming tradition of giving salt, and bring fancy sea salt and/or a saltbox or saltcellar. If the housewarming is for a neighbor new to your town, consider putting together a welcome kit containing area maps, the town paper, restaurant menus, bookmarks from your favorite bookstore, transportation schedules, and information on local parks and recreation facilities- anything that will make it easier for her to feel welcome and at home in her new community.Weekend visit
Either bring or send a gift. Your gift of choice will depend on the length of your stay and how elaborately you're entertained. While you don't have to break the bank, your gift should be sincere, thoughtful, and personal.
A gift for your host or hostess is a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality and is always appreciated. It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive; simply consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice. In some parts of the country, a hostess gift is considered obligatory, while in other places a gift is brought only on special occasions. If it's the first time you're visiting someone's home, then it's a very nice gesture to bring a small gift. If you have a few extra minutes to wrap it, even if you only use tissue or a decorative bag, it adds to the gesture.
Wine, flowers, specialty food items, and small items for the house all make good hostess gifts. Flowers are terrific too, but if you want to go beyond Etiquette 101, bring them in a simple vase (a Mason jar is fine). You could also offer to put them in water yourself when you arrive so your host doesn't have to arrange them. If you bring wine, don't expect your host to serve it that evening- the wines may have already been chosen for the meal. And don't bring food for the meal unless you've been asked to. Otherwise you risk putting your host on the spot and upsetting the menu. Here are a few tips on what to bring when:Casual dinner party
Dinner party guests usually bring a hostess gift unless they are close friends who dine together frequently. Gift possibilities include wine, Champagne, flowers (preferably in a vase), a potted plant, chocolates, specialty food items such as jams and jellies or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil or vinegars, or items for the house, such as cocktail napkins, guest soaps and lotions , a picture frame, or a scented candle. A CD or book is also appropriate if you know your host's taste.
, specialty food items such as jams and jellies or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil or vinegars, or items for the house, such as cocktail napkins, guest soaps and lotions , a picture frame, or a scented candle. A CD or book is also appropriate if you know your host's taste.Formal dinner party
Gifts aren't usually taken to large, formal dinners, especially if you don't know the host well.
When there's a guest of honor
If it's a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or shower, bring a gift for the honoree.
When you're the guest of honor
Bring a gift for your host or hostess, or send flowers before the party. After the party, send a thank-you note.
Housewarming
It's customary to bring a gift to a housewarming. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be something lasting for the house. Possible gifts include guest towels, a houseplant, a patio or garden plant, glasses,dish towels, a picture frame, specialty foods like a great olive oil or preserves, or a cheeseboardand/or cheese knives. Update an old-fashioned housewarming tradition of giving salt, and bring fancy sea salt and/or a saltbox or saltcellar. If the housewarming is for a neighbor new to your town, consider putting together a welcome kit containing area maps, the town paper, restaurant menus, bookmarks from your favorite bookstore, transportation schedules, and information on local parks and recreation facilities- anything that will make it easier for her to feel welcome and at home in her new community.
, a houseplant, a patio or garden plant, glasses,dish towels, a picture frame, specialty foods like a great olive oil or preserves, or a cheeseboardand/or cheese knives. Update an old-fashioned housewarming tradition of giving salt, and bring fancy sea salt and/or a saltbox or saltcellar. If the housewarming is for a neighbor new to your town, consider putting together a welcome kit containing area maps, the town paper, restaurant menus, bookmarks from your favorite bookstore, transportation schedules, and information on local parks and recreation facilities- anything that will make it easier for her to feel welcome and at home in her new community.Weekend visit
Either bring or send a gift. Your gift of choice will depend on the length of your stay and how elaborately you're entertained. While you don't have to break the bank, your gift should be sincere, thoughtful, and personal.
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EMILYPOST.COM
When you Should Give a Gift
Deciding when to give a gift or not to give a gift...everyone has been there. Do you take a chance and arrive without a gift chancing humiliation if everyone else brought one? Or, do you spend time and money shopping and agonizing on what gift to give just to find out that you were the only one who did? If you're stumped for how to handle the mystery of gift etiquette, perhaps these gift-giving dilemmas of when to give a gift will help to shed some light.
Gift Etiquette: When Gifts are Expected
- You receive an invitation to the wedding of a close friend's son. You have known the boy since he was born but you will not be able to attend the wedding due to a prior commitment. In this case, you should submit your regrets and send a gift to the couple. Their gift registry is a good place to see what they may want or need.
- You have been invited to accompany friends to the birthday party of someone's ten year old daughter. You do not have children but are friends with many of the other children's parents who will be attending the party. A gift would not be expected in this situation. However, the child's parent would appreciate a small gift appropriate for the ten year old girl. A gift related to the theme of the party may help in deciding on a gift.
- You receive an invitation to the engagement party of a close friend. The invitation does not state if this will be a gift giving party. A quick phone call to the host or hostess will help clear that up. Just ask if there is a theme to the party for the gifts. If you are still unsure if a gift is appropriate, a small token of your admiration for the couple is always acceptable.
- You have been invited to a dinner party your boss is hosting. Absolutely take a gift! It is considered good etiquette to bring a host/hostess gift for dinner parties.
- You are traveling internationally on a business trip. In countries like Japan and Costa Rica, gift giving is deeply rooted in tradition and you are expected to present a gift at the first meeting. Conversely, in The Netherlands, gift giving is reserved for those who have a close personal relationship. International gift giving varies from country to country, research the gift giving etiquette of the country you will be visiting to ensure you do not make any gift giving faux pas.
- You receive an invitation to a graduation ceremony or graduation party. Whether or not you are able to attend, you are expected to send a gift.
- You receive an invitation to a housewarming party. Yes, a gift for the new homeowners is expected. Even when there is no party, it is proper etiquette to take a gift on your first visit to a friend's new home.
When Gifts are Unnecessary
- You have been invited to a friend's home to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family or to a neighbor's 4th of July party. Although gifts are not expected in these cases, it is always appropriate to take a host/hostess gift to show how much you appreciate the invitation. A small gift themed for the occasion will show your giftyness and be well received by the hostess.
- You receive an invitation to a wedding. You are not close to the couple getting married. They are more acquaintances than friends. You are not able to attend the wedding. Forward your regrets but a gift is not required.
- You have been invited to a friend's bachelor or bachelorette party. While gifts for this ocassions are not required, a gag gift will add to the fun events of the party or a small sentimental gift to express congratulations for the groom or bride to be.
- You have been asked to accompany a friend to the housewarming party of someone you have never met and your friend is giving a gift. In this situation, it is not necessary for you to also give a gift.
- You receive a graduation announcement. In this case, you are not expected to send a gift, unless you choose to do so. However, a card is always appreciated.
- You receive a gift from your boss. Whether it is a holiday gift, a birthday gift or just a thank you gift, you are not expected to reciprocate.
If you are ever in doubt of when to give a gift, go ahead and give a gift. Gifts are always appreciated, and who knows, you just might become known as "a gifty person
Giftypedia
