Christmas Gift for Generous Family - out of my element

[girlmusic]

A very close friend of mine has invited DH and I (plus my parents) to have Christmas Eve dinner with her family - her siblings and parents - at her parents' house. We have been friends for 18 years and have gotten much closer in recent years. I think this is very generous and sweet. I will be making some sort of dessert to bring.

We are Jewish and don't really know what is considered an appropriate hostess gift for this kind of thing. Would a special or unique Christmas tree ornament be appropriate?

[Chocolate Cake]

A Christmas ornament falls under the category of "gift" as opposed to "hostess appreciation".   It would be something you'd wrap, that she'd unwrap, and it may be awkward because she may not have a gift for you (besides the dinner) since she knows you are Jewish.  You are already bringing a dessert, so you really have already covered your bases.   If you feel that you MUST bring something else, consider the normal hostess-type of gifts that you'd bring to anyone who has invited you to dinner:  a bottle of wine, cut flowers, poinsettia, or a small flowering plant (like a Christmas cactus or one of those plants that produce the little peppers), etc.

[ZipTheWonder]

I disagree.  A "hostess gift" is a gift and it need not be confined to alcohol, florals or chocolates.  It would be perfectly acceptable to take a beautiful ornament, unwrapped, and hand it to your hostess and say "Thank you for having us over" as you enter their home. 

[Venus193]

Just one word about flowers and plants:  Do they have pets?  The reason is that many plants are a deadly poison to dogs and cats.  Poinsettas are among them.

A box of chocolates is always welcome, as are bottles of wine, champagne, or booze.

[Clara Bow]

I like the idea of an ornament, tell your hostess that you wanted to give her a hostess gift that would last a while rather than the usual wine, etc. Happy Hannukkah to you!

[rolld20]

Just one word about flowers and plants:  Do they have pets?  The reason is that many plants are a deadly poison to dogs and cats.  Poinsettas are among them.

True, dat.  Personally, I don't think living plants ever make a good surprise gift because of the maintanence required: "Here, something you need to water and prune or else it'll DIE and you'll feel guilty about it!  Thank you!" 

We also don't drink.  But I'd love a pretty tree orniment (or chocolate!).  I think OP's idea is fine. 

[sotadragon]

Actually, poinsettias are NOT poisonous.  Check it out at snopes: http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp.

[girlmusic]

Just one word about flowers and plants:  Do they have pets?  The reason is that many plants are a deadly poison to dogs and cats.  Poinsettas are among them.

A box of chocolates is always welcome, as are bottles of wine, champagne, or booze.

They do not have pets. All the "kids" are adults, so no worries about a baby getting into anything either.

I really want to get them something special because I feel so honored to be included in their family celebration. This friend is a wonderful person and if she didn't live 3000 miles away I would see her all the time. My DH and I just moved back to the area friend and I grew up in, so this is really the first chance she has had as an adult to include us. Her parents came to our wedding, and DH plays golf with her dad and brother, so the familial relationship has expanded a lot this year. I thought an ornament could be something they put on the tree every year, to remind them that DH and I appreciate their generosity and friendship.

[CrayonOutlines]

I think an ornament is a great idea and I, for one, would be touched if a friend of another faith got a gift for me related to my faith.  I'd appreciate the gesture.

[Deetee]

There are places that will take a picture and engrave it in glass to make an ornemant. I think that would be a lovely gift if you got a picture of the family.

[girlmusic]

I got them a beautiful handblown glass ornament - it is something they could also hang in the window. 

[hobish]

[/quote]

True, dat.  Personally, I don't think living plants ever make a good surprise gift because of the maintanence required: "Here, something you need to water and prune or else it'll DIE and you'll feel guilty about it!  Thank you!" 

We also don't drink.  But I'd love a pretty tree orniment (or chocolate!).  I think OP's idea is fine. 
[/quote]


LOL, i on the other hand love plants & wouldn't mind having another one to take care of, collect wine, and don't really care for chocolate. (Yep you read that right.)

I think an ornament would be a splendid idea. You don't really need to wrap it up fancily & as someone said, could sort-of point out that it is meant as a hostess gift. The wrapping thing was a good point. A plain box with maybe a bow would be nice, though.

Happy Hannukkah!

[alli_wan]

Tree ornaments and seasonal decor are usually a safe bet if you don't want to go the wine/chocolates/houseplant route.

You can find nice ornaments for a variety of prices and styles at Michael's, JoAnn's, Target, and also KMart (although I've found more bulk ornaments here).  Department stores also tend to have large, unusual and elaborate ornaments.

As for the traditional hostess gift, you could always get a nice bottle of olive oil and balsalmic vinegar (in case they don't drink), or perhaps an ethnically Jewish delicacy they might not otherwise have (ie. traditional bread, cookies, something like that.  We have a large Jewish community in this city, and challah bread is often brought in for pot lucks, and it doesn't last long.)

[audhs]

Tree ornaments and seasonal decor are usually a safe bet if you don't want to go the wine/chocolates/houseplant route.

The best thing about seasonal decor is if your host doesn't like it they don't feel obligated to put it out all year round.  

Chocolates are also a safe bet as most people I know have a box or two around the holiday's.

[Gileswench]

I know I'm late to the party, but I have to say I think a holiday ornament makes a great hostess gift.

I don't drink, my husband is diabetic, we both have black thumb, so most of the traditional hostess gifts are of no use to at least one of us. Just something to keep in mind. Most one-size-fits-all gifts...don't really fit quite everyone.