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In my opinion...there is nothing more special than something monogramed....my favorite thing...is pillow cases.....this is what I do....Judy in Louisiana

We had the same problem for years. We have a group of seven couples (all close in age). We would take trips together once every year or so but during the year we would take turns hosting a monthly dinner. Of course this always necessitated a hostess gift. All of us are comfortably off and at our age have everything (material) that we want or need. It drove me crazy because I was constantly being gifted with craft type items. I am just not into cutesy things and I had a difficult time coming up with items that I thought the other ladies would enjoy or use. I failingly ended up giving food items or fresh flowers. We all finally came to a consensus that we should stop doing hostess gifts and at Christmas put funds together to donate to a charity. Thank goodness! The pressure every month is off and we can give to those in need. It's a win/win.

Thank you all so much! I riffed off Beagles’ suggestion and included many others: I found a basket at HomeGoods that can eventually hold towels, toilet paper, magazines, etc. Lined it with four nice kitchen towels (including one that says “Meals and Memories are made here”). Purchased a nice frame and included the following poem printed on parchment: Bread that your cupboards will always be full, (Gift Certificate to Ulele – ML that was an amazing suggestion – and likely one they wouldn’t find on their own any time soon) Candle that your home will always have light, (Voluspa ‘Maison Blanc – Saijo Persimmon’ Candle) Coin that you may dwell in good fortune, ($200 Home Depot Gift Card – they already have a lawn mower, but will need a weed eater once we help them install a fence for their dogs) Honey and Salt that life shall always have sweetness and flavor, (Orange Blossom Honey from Florida – if they like it that will make a terrific and inexpensive gift for them to send to family members at Christmas; also found some smoked sea salt and pepper & garlic seasoned sea salt that sounded useful and interesting) Wine that joy and prosperity may reign forever. (bottle of pinot grigio – I had to google wine that beer drinkers would like since they have yet to acquire a wine drinker’s palate!) Although married over 30 years, DH and I do well remember those first days of needing SO much. However, DS/DDIL have been married for three years (first lived in an apartment and then military quarters at previous assignments) so have most of the staples and furniture already. This is their first home purchase – driven mostly by the fact that it’s cheaper to buy in Tampa than rent and the waiting list for military quarters is 10 months’ long. I don’t think this will be their forever home but – you never know! We definitely plan to purchase and plant a tree during our first visit – and now I know to bring a new broom as well! OT @runningplace: my stepfather recently passed away after a very unexpected, painful, violent, and unnecessary illness (he and mom were married for 47 years)… you have given me clarification on how my DH can craft boxes for all of DSF’s (12!) grandchildren with the rough milled wood we brought home from his shop milled from a cherry tree in their front yard. Coordinates – perfect! Thanks again, everyone – you are truly awesome! My best, Michele