I never know whether to just guess and buy my thank you gift for the hostess before I go, or wait and buy something I know will work for her or in her home after the visit. I usually go with a generic food/drinks gift to give upon arriving and then follow up with a note and something specific to match the home (or the hosts) afterwards.
We shopped a few of our favorite QC boutiques for some new & fun ideas on Hostess Gifts to give this summer. One thing is for sure, when someone has invited you to a party or to stay in their home, you should:
Not show up empty handed. Wine is fine, but remember, this is not for YOU to drink. This is your gift to them. You should not open the bottle upon arrival, no matter how much you love it. If you are bringing wine to share with the group at the party, it’s still polite to let the host decide what to open and when.
Always always send at least a thank you note, text or email within a few days after. Old school, hand written notes really stand out and show you took the time, but digital is considered fine by most. Home stays are best thanked with a gift as well.
Retail marketer who loves shopping, fashion, design, travel and dining out. NOLA native, Francophile, and DC-lover living in Charlotte since 1998. Married to a die-hard Wahoo for over 30 years, and mother of one Princeton Tiger. I'm the creator & editor of scoopcharlotte and scoopthelake - if you think you'd like to join our program, email me at scoopcharlotte [at] gmail.com today!
