What to bring as host gift when I can't bring food?
April 7, 2015 8:45 AM Subscribe
I'm having dinner at a friends house tonight, and for Passover-related reasons, I'm a bit leery of bringing my usual bottle of wine or dessert over. But I feel rather rude showing up empty-handed. Any suggestions for non-food/booze related host gifts?
Thing is, I know he keeps kosher for Passover, but otherwise I'm not sure how strict his observance is, or what branch of Judaism he follows, and my googling thus far suggests that a food gift might therefore be a bit of a minefield. (I'm having trouble finding a nearby bakery that has kosher for Passover items.) He's a young single dude, so flowers seems a bit off-kilter. And now I'm out of ideas. Help!
Thing is, I know he keeps kosher for Passover, but otherwise I'm not sure how strict his observance is, or what branch of Judaism he follows, and my googling thus far suggests that a food gift might therefore be a bit of a minefield. (I'm having trouble finding a nearby bakery that has kosher for Passover items.) He's a young single dude, so flowers seems a bit off-kilter. And now I'm out of ideas. Help!
Kosher wine.
posted by mareli at 8:51 AM on April 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by mareli at 8:51 AM on April 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
I would avoid plants if your host has pets. Candles/candlesticks are always a nice gift.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:51 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:51 AM on April 7, 2015
Bottle of olive oil, fancy salt or honey are really unlikely to be a problem.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:57 AM on April 7, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:57 AM on April 7, 2015 [11 favorites]
Martinelli's sparkling apple cider? It's celebratory, delicious, certified kosher, inexpensive and widely available. The only ingredients are apples and vitamin c.
"Mazel tov to Martinelli's! We are very pleased that delicious and nutritious products like Martinelli's Cider, Sparkling Cider and Apple Juice are Kosher. And it was a pleasure to work with a company that has been producing great juices for more than 130 years," said Rabbi A. Tzemach Rosenfeld of the Kosher Supervision of America about Martinelli's Kosher certification.posted by Juliet Banana at 9:01 AM on April 7, 2015 [9 favorites]
I vote for a cute plant. Home Depot has a lot of adorable little succulents right now.
posted by phunniemee at 9:02 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by phunniemee at 9:02 AM on April 7, 2015
If your friend drinks coffee, you could bring coffee beans from a well-regarded roaster (I have no idea if coffee beans need to be kosher for Passover, though).
posted by chicainthecity at 9:02 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by chicainthecity at 9:02 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Does he have plants at all? If not, please don't give him a plant (speaking as a receiver of unwanted plants by well meaning people. I cringed at the orchid gift I got recently. Do not want to try to keep it alive, sigh.)
Seconding candles or olive oil. Nice paper party napkins, or napkin rings, can also work, depending on his taste.
posted by gudrun at 9:06 AM on April 7, 2015 [5 favorites]
Seconding candles or olive oil. Nice paper party napkins, or napkin rings, can also work, depending on his taste.
posted by gudrun at 9:06 AM on April 7, 2015 [5 favorites]
There's a couple we have over every year for the Seder, and every year they send a beautiful floral centerpiece that we put on the table. It's actually a great gift because it makes everything more festive and then we also get to enjoy them afterwards.
posted by holborne at 9:07 AM on April 7, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by holborne at 9:07 AM on April 7, 2015 [4 favorites]
(And no need to try to keep the floral centerpiece alive after the Seder, since they're just cut flowers and intended to die after a few days).
posted by holborne at 9:08 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by holborne at 9:08 AM on April 7, 2015
Classic gift this time of year is a kfp tin of macaroons. Both the major matzoh brands in the US make passover macaroons, Streit's and Manischewitz, they are totally safe food bets that can be found at any large supermarket.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:09 AM on April 7, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 9:09 AM on April 7, 2015 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks guys, please keep the suggestions coming. One thing I should probably have mentioned at the top --- he's super into wine, normally, and is really picky about it. I understand there are options nowadays beyond manischewitz, but frankly I'm not sure he'd like them.
posted by maggiepolitt at 9:11 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by maggiepolitt at 9:11 AM on April 7, 2015
Older NYT article about kosher wines. To be honest, if you want help picking a decent kosher wine, I'm sure your local specialty wine shop would be delighted to help you out. It's what they do, they'll make a sale, and I'm sure they're used to this request around this time of year.
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:21 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:21 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nthing Kosher Wine; there are lots of good options out there. Also the fancy olive oil is a good idea.
Honestly, some Manischewitz macaroons might also be appreciated. They're not gourmet, but a lot of people have a nostalgic attachment to them around Passover.
Fruit and nuts are also a good choice.
posted by brookeb at 9:34 AM on April 7, 2015
Honestly, some Manischewitz macaroons might also be appreciated. They're not gourmet, but a lot of people have a nostalgic attachment to them around Passover.
Fruit and nuts are also a good choice.
posted by brookeb at 9:34 AM on April 7, 2015
Not sure what your immediate access to stores is, but how about something like interesting coasters?
posted by slipthought at 9:41 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by slipthought at 9:41 AM on April 7, 2015
Whole (uncut/unpeeled), fresh fruit is kosher, and acceptable to eat with both meat and dairy meals. A couple of different fruits could make for a lovely dessert (bring them whole and let him cut them up at his place, to accommodate whatever his level of observance might be). Sealed, labeled kosher for Passover chocolates would also be nice.
Non-edible ideas: a pair of fancy wine or rocks glasses, a book you love, or a small, offbeat game (We Didn't Playtest This at All is a recent favorite).
posted by rebekah at 9:49 AM on April 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
Non-edible ideas: a pair of fancy wine or rocks glasses, a book you love, or a small, offbeat game (We Didn't Playtest This at All is a recent favorite).
posted by rebekah at 9:49 AM on April 7, 2015 [3 favorites]
I think flowers would be really nice, as long as you stay away from the traditional romantic choices. Get something happy. Dudes like flowers too!
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:51 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:51 AM on April 7, 2015
If you usually bring him wine and know what he might like, I would just bring a bottle that you'd bring during the rest of the year and say "This is to enjoy after Passover!" Wine brought as a host gift does NOT need to be drunk that particular evening (and often isn't, if, for example, it happens to be a bad pairing with the food, or there's already a bottle open, or whatever). I also like the idea of flowers in a centerpiece-style arrangement made with non-romantic blooms (i.e. avoid roses, something like gerbera daisies would be lovely).
Another good option could be a nicely arranged fruit basket (think Harry & David if you have one locally, although you could obviously put one together yourself with whatever looks good at the supermarket). My understanding is that all fresh fruit is kosher for Passover, so there should not be major minefields there.
posted by rainbowbrite at 10:02 AM on April 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
Another good option could be a nicely arranged fruit basket (think Harry & David if you have one locally, although you could obviously put one together yourself with whatever looks good at the supermarket). My understanding is that all fresh fruit is kosher for Passover, so there should not be major minefields there.
posted by rainbowbrite at 10:02 AM on April 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
Nice candles.
posted by harrietthespy at 10:28 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by harrietthespy at 10:28 AM on April 7, 2015
Coconut macaroons made without flour are traditional for Passover.
Don't confuse them with macarons; their almond flour is pareve, but the filling is usually dairy and Seder is a meat meal.
posted by brujita at 10:41 AM on April 7, 2015
Don't confuse them with macarons; their almond flour is pareve, but the filling is usually dairy and Seder is a meat meal.
posted by brujita at 10:41 AM on April 7, 2015
Flowers. If you can get to a non-cheesy florist who can put together an unusual bouquet (no carnations and baby's breath). Or even a bunch or two of tulips. You don't need to supply a vase. I live under the assumption that cut flowers make everyone happy.
posted by swheatie at 10:58 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by swheatie at 10:58 AM on April 7, 2015
Mazel tov to Martinelli's! We are very pleased that delicious and nutritious products like Martinelli's Cider, Sparkling Cider and Apple Juice are Kosher.
"Kosher" and "kosher for Passover" are not at all the same thing. Kosher for Passover is a subset of kosher.
If you usually bring him wine and know what he might like, I would just bring a bottle that you'd bring during the rest of the year and say "This is to enjoy after Passover!" Wine brought as a host gift does NOT need to be drunk that particular evening (and often isn't, if, for example, it happens to be a bad pairing with the food, or there's already a bottle open, or whatever).
This may not be sufficient for the really observant.
You're only going to find kosher for Passover baked goods at a kosher market, or at a supermarket that serves a sizable Jewish population. You might find things like candy or macaroons in a can that are kosher for Passover in the kosher or ethnic section of a supermarket. But do check labels- not everything in the kosher section of the supermarket is going to be kosher for Passover. There are non-kosher-for-Passover matzos, just to give you an idea of how tricky this gets.
Is there a restaurant he particularly likes? A gift card that he could use there after (or during, depending on his level of observance) Passover might be nice. I know I always look forward to going out after Passover and having stuff that I can't have during Passover.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:00 AM on April 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
"Kosher" and "kosher for Passover" are not at all the same thing. Kosher for Passover is a subset of kosher.
If you usually bring him wine and know what he might like, I would just bring a bottle that you'd bring during the rest of the year and say "This is to enjoy after Passover!" Wine brought as a host gift does NOT need to be drunk that particular evening (and often isn't, if, for example, it happens to be a bad pairing with the food, or there's already a bottle open, or whatever).
This may not be sufficient for the really observant.
You're only going to find kosher for Passover baked goods at a kosher market, or at a supermarket that serves a sizable Jewish population. You might find things like candy or macaroons in a can that are kosher for Passover in the kosher or ethnic section of a supermarket. But do check labels- not everything in the kosher section of the supermarket is going to be kosher for Passover. There are non-kosher-for-Passover matzos, just to give you an idea of how tricky this gets.
Is there a restaurant he particularly likes? A gift card that he could use there after (or during, depending on his level of observance) Passover might be nice. I know I always look forward to going out after Passover and having stuff that I can't have during Passover.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:00 AM on April 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, just to reiterate, Kosher =/= Kosher for Passover. I say bring some Kosher for Passover wine. The good thing about wine as a gift is that if it's not the recipient's cup of tea, he can easily re-gift it.
posted by amro at 11:06 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by amro at 11:06 AM on April 7, 2015
"Kosher" and "kosher for Passover" are not at all the same thing. Kosher for Passover is a subset of kosher.
THIS.
Also, I know people who keep kosher who make exceptions for wine. Kosher wine is just not that great, because it has to be cooked. If it were me, I'd find kosher for Passover chocolates or other dessert.
Don't bring any edibles that aren't kosher for Passover, even if you mean them to be eaten later. They can't be kept in the house.
posted by the_blizz at 11:09 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
THIS.
Also, I know people who keep kosher who make exceptions for wine. Kosher wine is just not that great, because it has to be cooked. If it were me, I'd find kosher for Passover chocolates or other dessert.
Don't bring any edibles that aren't kosher for Passover, even if you mean them to be eaten later. They can't be kept in the house.
posted by the_blizz at 11:09 AM on April 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Wine brought as a host gift does NOT need to be drunk that particular evening (and often isn't, if, for example, it happens to be a bad pairing with the food, or there's already a bottle open, or whatever).
If the guy is really frum there will be restrictions as to what edibles can actually be physically present in the house during Passover. Idk if wine would be one of those things but it is not a great plan to bring non-passover things for later to an observant home.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:10 AM on April 7, 2015
If the guy is really frum there will be restrictions as to what edibles can actually be physically present in the house during Passover. Idk if wine would be one of those things but it is not a great plan to bring non-passover things for later to an observant home.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:10 AM on April 7, 2015
Kosher for Passover wine will have a kosher symbol (often but not always a U in a circle), and a letter P somewhere near the kosher symbol. It may also say "kosher for Passover" on the label. If you live somewhere where supermarkets sell wine, they might have kosher for Passover wine. I used to get Baron Herzog kosher for Passover wine at Trader Joe's when I lived in California. BevMo in California also used to have kosher for Passover wine. Though your mileage may vary- I was in the SF Bay area, which has a significant Jewish population. Look in the wine section, not the kosher section- all you're likely to find in the kosher section is stuff like Manischewitz.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:15 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by Anne Neville at 11:15 AM on April 7, 2015
Also, I know people who keep kosher who make exceptions for wine.
Just because he does this during the rest of the year doesn't mean he does it now. There are people like me, who drink non-kosher-certified wine except during Passover.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:18 AM on April 7, 2015
Just because he does this during the rest of the year doesn't mean he does it now. There are people like me, who drink non-kosher-certified wine except during Passover.
posted by Anne Neville at 11:18 AM on April 7, 2015
For non-edible gifts, what about a nice set of hand towels for the powder room, or some fancy cocktail swizzle sticks, or a trio of nice hand soap, or a small coffee table book that reminds you of him, or a cd (given ironically or unironically) of cocktail music, or a small succulent/potted plant?
posted by Yellow Silver Maple at 11:30 AM on April 7, 2015
posted by Yellow Silver Maple at 11:30 AM on April 7, 2015
>Mazel tov to Martinelli's! We are very pleased that delicious and nutritious products like Martinelli's Cider, Sparkling Cider and Apple Juice are Kosher.
>>"Kosher" and "kosher for Passover" are not at all the same thing. Kosher for Passover is a subset of kosher.
Yep, this is why I also listed ingredients! Given that apples are included in the traditional charoset, I still think Martinelli's is a good choice.
I'm sorry, I'm not trying to argue with commenters (who are correct, kosher does not necessarily mean kosher for passover), just clarify for the OP.
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:32 AM on April 7, 2015
>>"Kosher" and "kosher for Passover" are not at all the same thing. Kosher for Passover is a subset of kosher.
Yep, this is why I also listed ingredients! Given that apples are included in the traditional charoset, I still think Martinelli's is a good choice.
I'm sorry, I'm not trying to argue with commenters (who are correct, kosher does not necessarily mean kosher for passover), just clarify for the OP.
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:32 AM on April 7, 2015
Given that apples are included in the traditional charoset, I still think Martinelli's is a good choice.
Kosher and kfp designation has more to do with whether a food was manufactured in facilities under rabbinical supervision. If it's a packaged food, just knowing the ingredients is not enough.
posted by the_blizz at 12:47 PM on April 7, 2015
Kosher and kfp designation has more to do with whether a food was manufactured in facilities under rabbinical supervision. If it's a packaged food, just knowing the ingredients is not enough.
posted by the_blizz at 12:47 PM on April 7, 2015
For some people's level of observance, knowing the ingredients would be enough. For others, it wouldn't be. There are some people who will buy non-kosher-certified things based on the ingredient list during the rest of the year, but not during Passover. You don't really have any way of knowing his practice on these things without asking him.
posted by Anne Neville at 1:02 PM on April 7, 2015
posted by Anne Neville at 1:02 PM on April 7, 2015
Since he likes wine, maybe wine charms?
Seconding the point to be careful about flowers/plants if he has pets, especially cats, which can be poisoned by a surprising variety of things. Sunflowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and might fall outside of the "odd thing to give to a dude" category of flowering things (depending on the dude).
posted by heisenberg at 3:25 PM on April 7, 2015
Seconding the point to be careful about flowers/plants if he has pets, especially cats, which can be poisoned by a surprising variety of things. Sunflowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and might fall outside of the "odd thing to give to a dude" category of flowering things (depending on the dude).
posted by heisenberg at 3:25 PM on April 7, 2015
We're always happiest for our Seder if people get over wanting to bring things/food and accept that they are there to participate and be guests. Flowers would probably be a nice thing, beautiful and low effort and not an intrusion on the planned-ness of the meal.
The rest of the year we love people to bring food or drink and contribute but for Passover you contribute by helping in the story/reading and participating in the seder event, not by participating in preparation per se. We aren't particularly observant - there are crackers in my pantry right now though I won't eat them this week - but manischewitz macaroons are gross and everyone sort of has their own way of doing things, so it's better to leave it to your host to make those decisions.
posted by Lady Li at 10:56 AM on April 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
The rest of the year we love people to bring food or drink and contribute but for Passover you contribute by helping in the story/reading and participating in the seder event, not by participating in preparation per se. We aren't particularly observant - there are crackers in my pantry right now though I won't eat them this week - but manischewitz macaroons are gross and everyone sort of has their own way of doing things, so it's better to leave it to your host to make those decisions.
posted by Lady Li at 10:56 AM on April 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
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