flowers?

A nice scented candle or a gift card that the son could use for his new home?

If you are near a Hallmark store, they have some small cute things--anyway ours does. Is the son going to college --into service--- or just out? Is the gift for both? And it might depend how well you know them. Small plant? gift card---album to hold pictures--disposal camera --

Note cards, cocktail napkins, napkin rings, fancy paper hand towels, a bottle of champagne.

For a casual evening where a hostess gift may not be expected, I will try to surprise, but keep it simple. A kitchen candle, or bouquet of one type flower, i.e. all daffodils, all tulips....Simple, easy, nothing overwhelming to the hostess or the guest.

I'm guessing you don't want to bring wine because you're guessing this is not a wine with dinner - dinner. Otherwise, I think a dessert wine or even a non-alcoholic wine would be great.

Flowers may be your best bet if you want to rule out wine. I personally wouldn't get knick knacks or gifts cards.

I also think it would be fine not to bring anything and just follow up with a nice thank you note.

If you decide to bring flowers, make sure you put them in a vase first so the hostess doesn't have to go hunting up one.

But it's not a dinner party with lots of people or tons of food. It sounds more like her kid having a friend over for dinner.

I think she'd have time to find a vase (or even a big glass) to put some simple flowers in. She's not having to greet other guests. It's just her coming. I wouldn't over do it with a big flower arrangement and vase - it may even make her feel uncomfortable if it's supposed to be a more casual last minute dinner invite. You could always send flowers "after" the evening if you want to go all out with an arrangement but I'd keep it simple.

If they don't drink, or if you don't know their preferences, wine could be awkward. If they are dieting, chocolate would be too tempting.

Grocers and florists have lovely small house plants that make wonderful hostess gifts. Or, you could go with a small floral arrangement. Either either of tthose would eliminate the need for spur-of-the-moment processing, mixing of preservative and locating a suitable container.

Scented candles give me a terrible headache, so I never give them as
gifts.

I usually oppose the trinket gifts. Things like candles that smell like dirty socks, wall hangings and the like unless you know for sure they like that stuff. Why not ask the son for ideas what she'd like? You don't think they like wine but you won't know for sure until you ask.

I guess the flowers would be OK. They'll be tossed soon enough and there isn't the pressure to keep it around. I'd definitely have it ready to go in some sort of a vase though.

An appetizer/crudite tray should be good. Most on a diet could eat them but there too it's a good idea to check if for instance they're on a carb diet.

I was thinking more of the cheap vases we all have around the house from florist arrangements and a little bunch of flowers from the grocery store. Tie a pretty bow around the vase and you have a very inexpensive and pretty "you've brightened my day and I'd like to brighten yours" gift.

How about picking up some pretty dish towels from Home Goods or TJ MAXX. I's always nice to have some new dish towels.

I love the dish towels idea, and want to expand to hand towels...

I would hate to get mums as a gift. I am highly allergic to mums.

Moni

Thanks for all the good ideas friends. Going shopping soon.

I like Georgysmom's idea of the small cocktail napkins or paper guest hand towels. I often do that, myself. They have really neat ones and it's something people don't tend to buy themselves.

Offer to bring dessert.

Jodi-

I love to get flowers when I am the host, as long as I am not expected to arrange them on the spot. Hope it's okay of I dump them in the closest container to arrange and enjoy later. I enjoy a bottle of wine as long as I can save it for the next meal, since I've already picked wine for this meal.

Do not ever bring a scented candle. I can't stand the. The last one I got had to be wrapped in a plastic bag it smelled so bad to me. Tossed it later.

And don't bring plants! I don't have room for any.

I guess I am fussy. I'd be happy just to have your company, although I am very grateful for someone's thoughtfulness.

I think it's nice that you're wanting to bring a gift. I never get them, and often forget to take one.

But I love the idea of tea towels or hand towels. Never have enough of those. Don't buy scented candles....not everyone likes them (me included).

Small house plant or maybe a small decorative picture frame.

I prefer consumables. You enjoy it for a little while and then it is gone. I think a small fruit basket would be nice. Or flavored coffee.

If in doubt, don't. Good advice in a lot of situations.

You have been invited to dinner by a friend. I see no reason to take a gift. If you feel compelled to take something, just ask, as someone else mentioned, if you could bring a dessert.
,
Don't start a "tradition" where there isn't one. Return the invitation later on if you really want to keep this friendship.

Sue

I, too, see no need for a hostess gift on this occasion.

Personally, I do not welcome them, especially "trinket" type stuff. I invited my guest for her company, not for a gift. I planned the menu, so don't bring food, unless asked, because you don't know what I'm serving.

I also don't want flowers (though some would) or candles. And frankly, your tastes are probably not mine, so dish towels are not appropriate either.

Ask if you can bring something for the dinner - like a dessert, a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread. But do not be offended if the offer is refused.

I usually take a small basket, lined with a hand towel, and fill with home-made mini muffins. Even on a diet, people can eat a few little muffins. I get the baskets and towels at WalMart. They seem to enjoy that gift.

I've taken forced, in bloom tulips, daffodils...plants that can later be planted outdoors. Planted in a coffee mug(I line the mug with cellophane that sticks up looking cute. It's small, decorative and the mug can be used for coffee later.

A little basket with a variety of little cellophane baggies with dried fruits and nuts(mango,dates,pineapple,almonds).

A coffee or tea sampler presented in a dollar store glass jar.

2 jars of Mexican salsa sitting in a little basket looking cute.

My local dollar store had sea salt grinders with matching pepper grinders, the set would have been a cute little gift.

or ... take her a baggie of the 3-2-1 cake mix gussied up with a ribbon or something. Seems to be a real hit here. :-)

Jodi-

I agree with the others and offer dessert. I think you mentioned they were both on diets. Perhaps an angel food cake with fresh fruit would nice.

Jodi also has a great idea with the 3 2 1 cake. Last week I visited a friend recovering from surgery and took along a decorated basket filled with several items that included a mug and 3 mini cello bags filled with different 321 mixes. She loved it!

We don't bring hostess gifts around here. But we all do bring a dish to pass. Maybe you could make something that they could eat with the meal or eat later?

I want nicole_ to come to dinner. :)

I don't need anything brought by a guest, but if they choose to do it, I will appreciate it very much, whatever it is. A nice little notepad with a matching pen or pencil, a hot pad, something homemade or a little box of dog treats, whatever, it's all nice.

If it turns out to be something I won't use, I'll give it to my mom or a close friend, because then it won't be wasted.

Least favorite thing- flowers. Most favorite- wine or some bakery item I wouldn't normally get for myself. But you don't HAVE to bring me anything. :)

I took a very small plant decorated for Valentine's day, the decorations can be easily removed. My friend seemed to like it. I know that it would have been acceptable to not bring a gift, but I feel cheesy walking in empty handed. That's just my hangup. I've been invited there before and have brought a dessert but this time the hostess seemed to stress the wt loss aspect when she called to invite me. Thanks so very much for all your suggestions.

Your choice sounds perfect. I feel the same way you do - showing up empty handed would make me uncomfortable. I hope you had an enjoyable time.

Forgot to mention that I had a wonderful time. I always do with this family, they're fun and easy to be with.

flamingo_in_ar....thanks! ;0)

mare_wbpa.....glad you had a good time!

I like bringing sock monkeys or puppets. It's a crowd pleaser and never goes out of style.

I thought what you decided on sounds perfect.

I'll have to remember the pet gift idea though. Bringing something for their favorite pet could work if you get stuck. And, I adore sock monkeys! Would have never thought of that, but honestly, that would probably be my personal favorite of everything mentioned here to receive.

What do you do with a sock monkey or a puppet afterwards?
Just curious. I don't even know what a sock monkey is! LOL

Well, jasdip, it is a handknitted sock with a knitted monkey face on it. A knitted hand puppet. They are very nice. You put your hand in it and talk. I don't know how to paste right this minute or I would display mine.

If you are visiting a new couple perhaps I would bring two and then your own, of course. Then watch them talk to each other through their sock monkeys.

A friend was having a first meeting with the new nephew by marriage. She was told he is a very serious archaeologist and doesn't talk much. She had no idea what to give him. After we had a couple of drinks, she bought 3 (her husband wanted his own, of course and felt left out.) I think it is all in good fun and one can give it to the dog later and he can put his little paw in it and except for the missing opposable thumb he can interact......with the cat.
More to the point, is that hostess gifts can be funny and interactive and that is more my style, I guess.

Jadip,I'm sure you have seen this = these puppets of any kind are good for children/adults who have a very hard time vebally expressing themselves and it is easier and more relaxing (or safe) thru another "person."

Jasdip,I have a friend here looking at what I wrote to you and I can't disagree with them. I have gone goofy trying to explain the diverse kinds of sock monkeys made of yarn and what you do with them. Some you can put your hand up in and some are like the link below which is pretty fancy. There are directions online to make them.

And also, some child therapists use puppets and dolls to help them get to know the therapist and talk to him or her.

Yeh, it is a funny gift and I like them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sock Monkey