OT: Hostess Gift?

I've been invited to a holiday get–together by a distant relative. I
haven't seen him since 1994. Any suggestions for a nice hostess gift
for him and his wife? I'd like to spend no more than $15, and would
like to stay away from a bottle of wine (Pennsylvania liquor laws are
notoriously archaic, and anything off the beaten path needs to be
special ordered). What are you giving as a hostess gift? Ever
received anything that was particularly nice or awful? Any help would
be greatly appreciated!

I tend to give food–in–jars. Chutney, honey,
tapenade, taramosalata, etc. *everybody* needs
more jarred food goodies, for power outages,
even minor.

genileuq...@aol.com wrote:
Do you have a Trader Joe's? They have a ton of low–priced but gourmet
options this time of year. Truffles, fancy chocolates, liquor cake, and
yes fancy jarred condiments.
jen

genileuq...@aol.com wrote in news:1134947385.138474.18274...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Gourmet goodies – a jar of very fresh horseradish, an unusual mustard, tea,
coffee, a wheel of brie, some sort of ethnic or international treat, a
cheesecake, etc. Flowers are also another good one size fits all gift.
––
use...@yahoo.com
http://www.gopchoice.org/

I like giving a small to medium rosemary bush. Lots of grocery stores
carry them (Whole Foods), you can put a bow on it and wrap the bottom
in christmas wrap. It's always well received.
melanie

Chocolate.
Chocolate.
Chocolate.
The End.

"EMiriamD" <emiri...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1134958887.721099.139...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
I love the suggestions. I've shyed away from bringing wine because I don't
want to convey the message that I don't think good wine will be served. I
tend to bring seasonal plants and perishable gifts that won't be used that
evening.

"Queue" <qu...@fashionhouse.com> wrote in message
news:KPadnZ1nzIMptzvenZ2dnUVZ_v–dn...@speakeasy.net...
The message that you don't think good wine will be served? Gosh, people
bring wine to my house all the time and it has never once occurred to me
that it might be because they were afraid if left to my own devices I would
serve them rotgut! What makes you think anyone would think that?
Smokey

"Lipgloss Junkie" <lipglossjun...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1134953790.969554.222...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Ohhh, I like that idea!
JennP.

"Queue" <qu...@fashionhouse.com> wrote in message
news:KPadnZ1nzIMptzvenZ2dnUVZ_v–dn...@speakeasy.net...
Honestly, I know that has never crossed my mind when receiving wine as a
hostess gift.
JennP.

"JennP" <jenniferpinck...@comcast.net> wrote in
news:pPadnTaW34YyNTvenZ2dnUVZ_tidn...@comcast.com:
I love the suggestions. I've shyed away from bringing wine because I
don't want to convey the message that I don't think good wine will be
served.
Whenever someone brings a bottle of wine to our house, the only thing we
think is "Cool! More wine! Maybe its something new."
––
use...@yahoo.com
http://www.gopchoice.org/

"Queue" wrote
<snip>
I'm always pleased and have never thought that when someone brings wine.
Mind you, I never get to the guests wine during the evening as I always have
specially selected wines to compliment the meal.
During the holidays, I like to brink white chocolate, cranberry and
pistachio bark as a hostess gift. It's super simple to make, festive
looking and I rarely run into anyone who doesn't like chocolate! ;–)
Blushun
––
Know first who you are then adorn yourself accordingly.
– Unknown

"Blushun" <blus...@sympatico.ca> wrote in
news:u2zpf.666$%N1.121...@news20.bellglobal.com:
The guests we have who bring wine are also devoted foodies, so we always
show them what we have ask if they wanted to have the wine with dinner that
night. Occasionally, their wine is a better fit than ours, so we opt for
the best wine for the occasion.
––
use...@yahoo.com
http://www.gopchoice.org/

"JennP" <jenniferpinck...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:P4ydnfk9o_DgNTveRVn–...@comcast.com...
I got one of these for Christmas this year and I love it! I'm keeping it in
my kitchen throughout the holidays and will transplant it after. Mine is in
a pot, shaped into a tree, and has bows.
Jamie

"Userb3" <use...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Xns97314E432A8F8Elvisisal...@207.14.113.17...
agreed!
Ami

On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 06:51:10 –0500, Smokey wrote:
I take wine to parties all the time. Usually the wine I take it a nice
bottle that is intended to be consumed by the host at a latter date.
I assume that the wine being served at the party will be a good but less
expensive variety simply because of the quantities of wine needed for a
party. 750ml bottles are simply too small to be used a parties, at least
at the ones I go to.
––
KD

Blushun wrote:
That's sounds so good! Are you willing to share the recipe? I love
anything with pistachios in it :)
Amanda

"Blushun" <blus...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
Interesting idea, but there are some people who don't think white
chocolate is chocolate! Personally, I think white chocolate tastes
weird, and would give it away. JMHO

"iKitty" wrote
True enough but by whatever name one wants to call it, it's still yummy to
many. =)
Guess I'll never be invited to your house... ;–)
Blushun
––
Know first who you are then adorn yourself accordingly.
– Unknown

<aee1...@yahoo.com> wrote
<snip>
During the holidays, I like to brink white chocolate, cranberry and
pistachio bark as a hostess gift. It's super simple to make, festive
looking and I rarely run into anyone who doesn't like chocolate! ;–)
Sure Amanda!
The festive white, green and red of this bark make it perfect for the
holiday season!
White Chocolate, Pistachio and Cranberry Bark:
1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios
1 cup dried cranberries
4 cups white chocolate chips
(these ingredients can be adjusted for your personal taste...some like more
nuts and berries, others like less.)
Spread pistachios on a cookie sheet and bake in oven at 350 degrees until
lightly toasted.
Meanwhile melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave stirring
occasionally so it all melts evenly.
Mix everything together, pour onto a foil lined cookie sheet, let cool at
room temp. then break apart and enjoy! =)
Blushun
––
Know first who you are then adorn yourself accordingly.
– Unknown

Blushun, you are a goddess, thank you for the recipe :–). I'll give
this a whirl. Holiday time is about the only time anyone catches me in
the kitchen and these sound like perfect gifts and treats.
Vicki in DC

....
Someone brought this to a cookie exchange I went to on the 8th and it
was absolutely TDF. She actually had two layers of chocolate, dark on
the bottom and the cranberries and pistachios in the white. Thanks so
much for sharing the recipe.
Audrey

We usually give wine that we have cellared so it is ready to drink when
we give it as a gift. My standard food gifts are the black bottom
cupcakes, nutmeg noels or cranberry coconut chews. This year I baked
more lavender fruit cakes. I had to buy a gift for the person who
shared her home and provided all of the food for my Assistance League
party. I went to www.bouquetoffruit.com for a wine, cheese, fresh fruit
and cracker basket. It is a local business so I actually selected the
items for the gift. I highly recommend them if you want to send fresh
fruit or dried fruit, nuts and candy to anyone on your holiday list.
Audrey

iKitty wrote:
I think it sounds incredibly yummy, and I can't wait to try it. There
is so much dark and milk chocolate (not that I'm complaining!) at
Christmas, and this seems like a really nice alternative. Thanks so
much for sharing, Blushun!
Amanda

"Vicki in DC" wrote
LOL! Well of course I am! LOL! ;–)
Truly my pleasure. This recipe has been a lifesaver for me for many a
holiday.
catches me in
Please let me now if it turns out for you Vicki!
Blushun
––
Know first who you are then adorn yourself accordingly.
– Unknown

<aee1...@yahoo.com> wrote
My pleasure Amanda...let me know how it turns out! =)
Blushun
––
Know first who you are then adorn yourself accordingly.
– Unknown

"ahmward" wrote

"Smokey" <SmokeyinNewEngl...@yahooey.com> wrote in message
news:dZudnZNfGscyAzveRVn–...@comcast.com...
would
I used to bring a good wine all the time but then switched. I think it's all
about who the host is. If it's a good friend I'll bring wine. If it's
somebody I don't know too well I'll bring something else. I do this because
of an experience I once had. Maybe I am too concerned about being polite?