Flowers are a wonderful gift! Vegans eschew eggs, dairy, honey, anything with animal origins. Many (most?) wines are not vegan, due to the processing which uses milk proteins or gelatin.

Stick with things like flowers or perhaps hostess-y items like pretty hand towels or a book, etc.

Instead of a gift, show up on time, be a pleasant and entertaining guest, and send a sincere thank you note afterwards.

Signed, someone who doesn’t want flowers, candles, chocolates, alcohol, decor items, or tchotchkes.

I can't drink wine, sigh. I can't eat chocolate, sigh. And I have a gazillion candles. But I love flowers. A former friend of mine brought a special salad dressing from her neighborhood bistro, they sell it there. That was an unusual hostess gift and we really enjoyed it. Are there any little foodie boutique places near you where you could pick something up? We live in orchard country, so we often bring fresh pressed cider or a bag of apples as a gift to friends we are visiting.

Edited to add that a bag of pistachios or cashews or even almonds would be appreciated by us. We have to limit our nut intake due to cost . . .

An orchid from the grocery store!

Nuts

ETA: One thing I have received that I like is nice cocktail napkins. They don't take up much space and if I have a lot of them I just make every day use of them rather than saving for a special occasion.

Since this is a hostess gift, I am assuming you are going to a get- together.

How about making a quinoa salad? All social circles are different, I know. In mine, we always coordinate with the host about what edible to bring.

I have a quinoa, black bean mango salad recipe if you are interested.

Many bakeries offer vegan options. Some more elaborate than others.

Last night I went to a vegan's for firepit, I brought a nice jar of stuffed olives.

For a dinner, I’d stay away from bringing flowers. A hostess usually doesn’t want to deal with finding a vase and finding a spot to place flowers when she already has her home ready for guests. This time of year, I might take one of the small boxes of Godiva, fancy salt, or jelly.

For a weekend, send a plant or flowers.

Eld if you wouldn’t mind sharing your recipe for quinoa salad. Thanks!

No jelly if it contains gelatin, no chocolates if they contain dairy. Veganism is complicated for those of us who are not following it!

Is there a vegan bakery in your area? My son and gf are vegan and they love going to a vegan bakery for treats.

Re the vase thing. I have a couple of vases saved from previous floral gifts sitting on a shelf. I have never found it burdensome to put flowers in a vase, and if I did, I would ask the friend to pitch in and help with it. As in, "Could you grab that vase and put some water in it for these flowers, thanks!"

Cmm1964,

Mango Quinoa Salad

3 cups quinoa (1 cup dry) let cool

14 oz black beans, rinsed

1 cup sliced mango (I usually buy the sliced)

1 red pepper, diced

8 scallions, green part only abt 1/2 cup

2TBS finely chopped cilantro (adjust to your taste)

Dressing

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

6 TBS white wine vinegar

Put in refrigerator. Can be made a day ahead.

Sushi, yes I agree. At one time oldest was vegan and gluten free. Nightmare.

Now, she is just vegetarian. Youngest is also a vegetarian but will eat fish. This is definitely more workable when planning for family gatherings.

Another vote for nice cocktail napkins.

I agree with a nice thank you note. However, I would not hesitate to take flowers. Fresh cut flowers that the hostess has to do nothing too or try to keep alive. Buy them in a vase so she won't have to arrange. I don't know anyone who doesn't like flowers!

My Mom has one friend remaining in town who sends thank you notes for everything. I do so love her! I adore getting her little notes. We vastly underestimate the power of a hand written note, IMHO. I would love a thank you after a dinner party. But sometimes a friend brings something and then just says thank you in person afterwards. That's nice too. Many folks are totally foreign now to the concept of a hostess gift and/or a thank you note upon a social invitation. They are still a nice gesture worth preserving IMHO. Very interesting all the suggestions here. There is an awesome gift shop in my grandmother's home town where we vacation all the time now, that sells the most beautiful cocktail and full size napkins. There are some gorgeous ones out there I found out when shopping for snazzy paper napkins for my wedding. Not something I can splurge on very often.

Bottle of aged balsamic vinegar or fruit infused balsamic vinegar

Some nice extra virgin olive oil.

I never would have thought of cocktail napkins. Very nice especially if you know their decor.

Cocktail napkins are nice, wine charms are fun, creative swizzle sticks or a combination of a couple is nice too.

I'm afraid I'm with hcbm, I can't imagine anybody picking out napkins I would like, I'm just picky

Are we not talking about paper cocktail napkins? I can't imagine that some of the beautiful fall designs wouldn't be loved by most. I wouldn't buy cloth for anyone because I, too am fussy about what will go with my tablecloths and decor/colors.

Not sure where you are, but if there are colorful potted outdoor plants or arrangements that will last for a few weeks, I'd love getting something like that.

Another idea is a box of blank stationery cards.

I love flowers or excellent salt. But a pleasant guest is really all an invitation really requests.

Ya know, a napkin is a napkin. If I didn't like the design of a napkin, so what. It will wipe the spaghetti sauce off my chin just as much as one I like. In fact, I might not feel so guilty doing it. And there's always tinder for the fire pit. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to give a napkin as a gift to someone even though I might be risking giving them something they would only use to wipe messes up off the counter . . .

I just put 4 packages of cocktail napkins, that I received as gifts, into the Take-to-Goodwill box. I’ve hung onto them long enough, I actually forgot they were in that cabinet, and maybe someone else will be happy to find them at the thrift store. I do not like to use paper napkins, particularly printed napkins, so I never opened them. I wish people wouldn’t buy them for me but it fills some need they have, so I just pass them along. What a waste of time, effort, and money but i guess it keeps the economy humming along. 😆

It IS the thought that counts :), after all. I would never have thought of cocktail napkins for a hostess gift, and would use only cloth for a dinner. But, for cocktails/appetizers, I think cocktail napkins would be the way to go.

Honestly, hostess gifts are not a thing in my circle. We reciprocate and the hostess is always thanked. I know you said this is a casual acquaintance, so I understand. I'm sure whatever you choose will be fine. Just don't forget the thank you note! LOL

A few ideas: Some artisanal nut butter in pretty jars. Nuts. Flowers. Indoor plant. Pretty platter with fruits.

I used to give pretty dish towels/pot holders/candles.

Or I bring a homemade food item for a different meal so as not to interfere with the menu, such as scones for breakfast.