I’m heading to the homestead for a bit to visit my folks. I usually bring them a little gift, like a bag of beans from a coffee shop (no disrespect to their Maxwell House habit). They took a hit from the recent derecho and haven’t had electricity for the last six days. I’ll guess that the gift they’d most like is to be able to turn their lights on.
I’m not the only one thinking about hostess gifts these days. Once again, I’m tracking the footsteps of fellow W&L blogger Angela Dollar, who recently posted a great gift guide. Catherine Moellering listed summer gift ideas in this Huffington Post article . The outdoor Scrabble board ranks high on the Scale of Radness (photo from this Sunset article).
I’m also a fan of experiences rather than stuff, such as treating your hosts to a meal or drinks, or making a grocery run for a festive meal at their place. Plus you don’t have to pack anything.
But I do like stuff, too. Ideally, a gift reflects both the recipient and the giver. When I start giving everyone hot pink sunglasses, then I’ll know I’ve gone too far! But it’s also OK to let my own tastes shine through.
Let’s take the Gurgle Pot, for example. The photo at the top of this post is from the GurglePot web site, where you can also listen to a sound file of the gurgling. Tres cute. The pot’s shape is a bit more modern, a bit out there for my parents’ house. So instead of picking a splashy color (my own Gurgle Pot is in the vibrant Moss, mind), I’d opt for oatmeal (also the color of their wedding dishes, which Mom has stacked up in the kitchen and saves for parties or when someone dies).
Though if you did stay at my house, dear reader, and you really wanted to get me a thing rather than an experience, then mayI suggest this apron from the etsy shop of AlyceLee (photo from their site).
