When invited to someone’s home, it is customary to bring a host gift as a sign of appreciation. However, choosing the right gift can be challenging. According to Thom Bettridge, an editor and writer in New York, the best gifts appear effortless but are chosen with immense consideration.
A good rule of thumb is to keep gifts relatively small, minimizing the space they take up in the host’s home. Bettridge likes thoughtfully designed playing cards or cookies from a specialty bakery, such as Hermès bridge cards or William Greenberg black and white cookies.
Small but Thoughtful Gifts
Imported sea salt is another gift that passes the test. Los Angeles fashion designer Zoe Latta often gives it to friends, saying fancy salt is always well received because it is a refined version of a everyday staple. Salima Boufelfel, a founder of vintage clothing stores, likes to give Santa Maria Novella’s scented pomegranate, a terracotta vessel that scents closets and laundry rooms.
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These small gifts show a deeper level of thoughtfulness and are often more appreciated than larger, more ostentatious gifts. They also avoid strong aesthetics, blending in with the host’s other possessions. Clear glassware, such as Hirota Opal Wave Glass, is a good option, as it can be easily mixed with the host’s other cups.
Practicality and Consideration
Part of being a good guest is understanding subtle helpfulness. When New York City Ballet principal dancer Unity Phelan is invited on a group trip, she and her husband try to stop at a nearby market or farm stand to buy a bounty of fruit and vegetables that everyone can enjoy throughout the stay. This thoughtful gesture shows appreciation for the host’s effort and provides something useful for the group.
Even if the host seems to have everything, it is not a reason to forgo bringing a gift. Kelly Bensimon, a model-turned-reality-TV-star-turned-real-estate-agent, says people think ultrahigh net-worth individuals are buying everything, but they are not. Thoughtful knickknacks, such as dish towels made of fine European linen, are something that people of any social status can appreciate.
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Stockpiling Gifts
Having a stash of gifts at the ready can help avoid last-minute scrambles. Kaelen Haworth, the owner of a luxury-clothing store in Toronto, likes to give skin care products from independent brands or other countries. She buys them in bulk when she travels, such as a sunscreen from Greece that is not available in the U.S.
Sometimes, life gets in the way, and grabbing wine might be the only alternative to showing up empty-handed. In such cases, getting two bottles of wine, as New York ceramist Shane Gabier does, can be a more generous gesture than showing up with just one. Fresh flowers, especially seasonal varieties from a local florist, are also a suitable host gift, and sending them after the fact can be a thoughtful touch.
