Have a good time, suzieque, I thought my comment to you (there was one) was polite.

You were argumentative with And rude to others posting here. That matters to me whether you were polite to me or not.

Suzie, I'm sorry. I want to give excuses but frankly there is no excuse for my bad behavior in your lighthearted thread.

No! Mama, no. No apologies from you. Please. The instigator just strikes again. And yes, it was meant to be lighthearted.

You asked for suggestions and I expressed mine as a different view. There were some agreements with what I said.

Suzie, Thank You.

Hey congratulations on your new home. I hope you have many wonderful years and make great memories.

I don’t mind differing viewpoints. I welcome them. I don’t like rudeness and “holier than thou” attitudes. I’m stopping going back and forth with you now. Have a good night.

Thanks, mama!

I wouldn't take anything offered to me at a party like this - I can't eat gluten, I'm not big on sweets, and I don't need anything - at all - more. If you invite them to a party and feed/water/booze them, they don't need anything else. :)

Enjoy your new home!

Suzieque -- we hosted an Open House to celebrate living 30 years in this house and this town. I didn't think of "favors" but now wish I did -- something I have done -- is cookies in little bags -- like this one:

It's a cookie cutter that you can put whatever you want in the middle -- this one was a souvenir for some tourism guests hence the name of our town. Everyone likes a cookie (or two).

Good luck with your party!

Martha that is super cute.

Favors for attending a party are not necessary. Think about it. You are inviting people to your home for a good time and good food. Why is there a need To also give your guests a gift? Especially when you are requesting "no gifts"? (Not sure how you are going to word the invite?)

The only parties we attend where favors are given is when the party is an occasion for gift giving. (Shower, wedding, Birthday etc.).

Good luck, have a fun time!

suzyque, in my area, stores offer specials to entice you to set feet in their store. They’ll give away stuff and have dollar off specials. I doubt that is what you mean but it’s the first thing that came to mind with the “gift” thing.

This is a good thing our self-appointed, one woman, welcoming committee neighbor does for newcomers. She brings a basket with goodies for the NEW neighbor, on behalf of entire subdivision, and gives them a directory of neighbors, list of area hospitals, doctors, schools, etc. maybe you should give them a chance to welcome you. Or not.

this may not be the norm. But we had a neighbor that had a party and invited every neighbor. Her house and her entertaining was over the top. We all got it—she wanted to make the best impression but she overdid it and seemed showoffish. I cringed for her. No friendships came out of that social event. I bet she wouldn’t do that again.

Martha, where did you get that cookie cutter, please?

Thanks for the explanation, bossy. I hope people don’t get me wrong. We are not at all wanting to be show-offish. It won’t be extravagant or anything even close to that. It will be bathing suits and jumping in the lake. This will be a simple, fun party. I just thought it would be nice to have a very simple take-away. We have been through a lot and these are friends that have been there for us through everything. The party is for them, not us. I know favors aren’t “necessary”. It’s just something I would like to do.

I think it's a nice idea, Suzie. Definitely not expected, but it satisfies something in you to do it, so great! Some posters here are overthinking this. If it's something people don't want, they can pass on it, give it away, or throw it away. Doesn't matter. It's just a thoughtful gesture: thank you for coming. You are important to us, and we loved having you.

I agree with chi--edible or disposable. A small bottle of wine? I'd love it. Someone suggested a couple of muffins--great. Mini box of chocolates--4 pcs. of Sees?

It did not cross my mind that you would be "showing off!" It's a way of reaching out to friends. Have a great party.

Thank you, socks. You completely get it and I appreciate that.

I reread your post. So it’s a NEW house and the celebration is with OLD friends. For some reason I assumed NEW house, NEW neighbors, hence the “grand opening” imagery.

the fact that they’re old friends makes the favors even less necessary. But you know them and they know you. You are a better judge than us.

“Necessary” Isn’t the point. And nobody will be expecting anything. Please read socks’ post. She says it far better than I did. I really didn’t intend for this to turn into a debate about to do or not to do. ‘Twas just supposed to be a light chat across the kitchen table. Sigh.

Don't feel bad. I'm glad you asked the question and hope you got some ideas here. I cannot remember the exact events but feel sure we have had little "take homes" from get togethers.

THANK YOU

Socks hit the nail on the head.

I do think some of us *get it* its not necessary, expected, needed by the receivers. ..but it is needed by the giver. Its a small token of gratitude for sharing your time and your friendship with us. For making happy memories with us. I think its a lovely way to say...**I appreciate you** This isn't the British royals following protocol or proper etiquette.

Suzie if your friends are anything like you they will love your Thank You favor and accept it in the manner it was given.

Suzie put a smile on your face...your moving into your new home..a new adventure awaits you. This is YOUR happy time.

Such special people here! You’re all invited. <smile>

Going with the cookie theme, oldest DD ordered pictures of my DH doing a yoga pose for his 70th birthday challenge. He did 70 straight days of Bikram yoga!

Eleni's bake stop in NYC puts whatever picture you want on the cookie. In your case, how about a photo of your new home? Each cookie is wrapped in cellophane.

The cookies tasted good which isn't often the case with this type of cookie.

I'm the same way. I like to give little gifts, even if it's not necessary, to show appreciation. Don't worry, those who don't want it, or can't eat it, will leave it behind and there will be more for you to snack on! Or to give extra to those who welcome it.

Some years ago at a friends dinner party in their new home , they gave each couple a bottle of champagne and fancy chocolates in a cute gift bag to take home. Of course there was only five couples invited. I thought it was a very nice and unexpected gesture.

Last little gift I received was a small jar of local honey with a pretty label. Everyone seemed thrilled as honey doesn't go bad and if one doesn't use it, it's nice to have on hand for guests.

We've been in our new place since the fall and I'm planning a little luncheon for a group of my girl friends - and yes, I too will be giving them a little parting gift. Of course it isn't necessary but just like Susieque it's something that I want to do.

I may bake mini zucchini loaves or a batch of snickerdoodles and I'll put them in a plastic bag and just tie a ribbon around it. There won't be any house warming gifts but I wouldn't be surprised if my friends got together and brought flowers or a fruit bowl.

I know you said people don't need or want "things", but a nice little memento I have received, and given, is a small picture holder. (they are called place card holders actually). Those things with coiled wires. People could usually find something to use those for, and they come in all different designs. I'll try to post a link to the place I found them. If there is a way of including a picture of the people you give them to, or a group picture of you guys, that would be fun.

http://www.wholesalefavors.com/c-PlaceCardHolderFavors.html

.

I host a lot of parties and have always given my guests a little take home gift, usually a homemade treat. A large basket of whatever I've chosen to give sits near the front door with a sign that says "To my guests...Enjoy!" I have always been left with an empty basket and a lot of smiles :)

Suzieque, congrats on your new home!

I am confused. Expressing an opinion is rude???

In a nutshell the OP ask for suggestions on ideas for favors for her guests not as to whether she should or shouldn't give them.

I do not see having a different opinion as how to make an occasion special as being rude.

My initial thought was Oh no, not trinkets! But seeing the intention, I kind of like the idea of offering a favor. They'll take it or they won't. Doesn't matter, you offered, they made a choice. I do vote toward consumable. And the reality is you can't be worrying about the world. If one is diabetic and one is Celiac, you shouldn't have to change your whole world because they can't eat a cookie. Some people would be unhappy if you gave them each a car. There'd be complaints about the color, brand or upholstery choice. So let them leave it behind.

If you had a special recipe for, say a party mix (like a "Chex Mix"), a little bag of that would work for me. A trail mix. Do you have a special recipe people always ask you to bring/provide? I must say I probably would appreciate a bottle of wine given but then you come back to the issue of do they like white? Rosé? Red? One thing that still sticks in my mind was a friend of mine would go around at Christmas time and bring her friends little bags of the ranch oyster cracker snacks. A very simple thing but I still remember it. And enjoyed munching on them too. Simple things can often be preferable.

The point is you want to do this. It's not a requirement. Whether we think you should or not doesn't matter. You want to and there's nothing wrong with that. The more I think of it, the more I like the idea. Wish I had more suggestions on what to do. The only other suggestion is don't overthink it. Friends will appreciate whatever you do. If not, they're probably not your friends anyway.

Thanks, cynic. That was nice.

As far as wine goes, remember that there will be about 40 people. Yikes $$$. I’m reallt thinking small and simple and not to be a central part. Also, I am guessing that some folks will bring us a bottle of wine.

I like the suggestions given and appreciate everyone’s input

(Ava, I thought that the crack at LF Starr about taking whole grain bran muffins to a party was rude. And accusing her of trying to be contrary. (Pot meet kettle?). But enough about that.) I even appreciate his opinion, just not the attitude

Again, thank you all.

I think a little something to offer guests is a thoughtful thing to do and that is never wrong. I like the idea of "house" cut out cookies with contact info included on a tie on card. This is your celebration with good friends and I hope you have a wonderful time. I don't think there is anything better in the world than the little things.

I love this idea! Change it to fit your needs.

It is a brigitte-keks German cookie cutter and I think I ordered mine from Germany. But I see that they have it on Amazon. Here: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=brigitte-keks+message+cookie+cutter

And had we not gotten home on Wednesday from a week long trip and our party on Friday, I would have made these cookies with "Linderhof" on them as favors -- as it was although I did get the house cleaned, I didn't get the ENTIRE garden weeded but did manage the food before our Friday party. There just wasn't time to make cookies for favors unless I wanted to see how well I could function on 3 hours sleep! And actually I think I could have put "88 - Linderhof - 18" on them to celebrate our 30 years in our house.

Congratulations!!!!! Please don't worry about it.....your friends are coming and

bringing things (if they do) because they like you and are happy for you, too.

The roses by the door sound really clever to me, too. Sorry this simple

request for a little advice turned so sour for you. Hugs.

Maybe you can give out recipe cards for the items you serve.

Or :) What about a photo booth set up? Pick a wall to put a back drop and put some props and everyone can take pictures. You can even make sure to take pictures with everyone. Then you can post them on FB or Email them to the guests. You'd be surprised how silly people can get. :D There are websites where you can print out the pictures and even make books. You can make a book with the photos from the evening and when people come to visit they can look at it and remember what a great night it was. :)

Chocolate lollipops wrapped up in cellophane, one each, we all got them at a cook out and we all ate them on the way home.

Congrats on your new home. Giving whatever you choose to the friends in your life is never the wrong thing to do. It shows your love and appreciation for their friendship. I don't think I saw it mentioned, but a large decorated paper clip, a pretty pen, or pretty magnet could be given. Those are useful and non-edible.

I'm another fan of the roses at the door. If I were a guest I'd consider that a big treat.

The contrary comment I referred to was personal and off-topic. And it wasn't the first time from that poster, who has suggested on prior threads that she thinks offering a different opinion is rude.

These are great ideas - I should write them down so I remember them.

Yesterday my adult kids came over for Father's Day and I can always count on my DD to bring something meaningful and heartfelt and usually on a budget. She had saved several empty spice bottles and made little flower arrangements in each and then tied them with a ribbon. She gave cornflowers to DH - they're one of his favorite flowers and then she made one with various colors of astilbe for me and my DIL got drift roses.

I really liked this so for my luncheon I may copy her idea. I don't want to empty spice bottles at the moment but I have a Michael's, ACMoore, JoAnn fabrics etc. near so I think I'll pick up bud vases or something similar and use them.

Congratulations on your new home...how exciting! I was thinking something along the idea of ... if you do roses, put a tag that says something like..”Thanks for being a special flower in our garden of friendship”. Or if something to eat...”Thanks for adding sweetness to our friendships of life.” Lots of options but enjoy whatever you do!

I love the idea of having a memento of the event! Have fun and congratulations on the new home!

i love your idea, very thoughtful and sweet. lots of great ideas here!!

decorated jelly jar filled with whatever u choose, easy and relatively cheap depending on what u fill it with.... candy, potpourri, tea light candle, pink sea salt, small cookies, dried fruit, nuts, nut mixes.... the jars can be reused.

CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW HOME!!!! all the best and have fun making lots of new and wonderful memories :)

I think a pretty lightly scented votive candle would be nice too...maybe in the color of the theme for your party.