Looking for (non booze) gift ideas to bring to a dinner party.
May 8, 2013 5:50 PM Subscribe
A fairly wealthy client has invited me and my boss over for dinner. I'd like to take a gift to say thank you. The catch is, he doesn't drink booze and can't eat sugary foods.
Any ideas what I could bring? Food and non-food ideas welcomed. Looking to spend not more than $30.
Flowers. Coffee or tea. Coffee table book.
posted by shothotbot at 5:51 PM on May 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by shothotbot at 5:51 PM on May 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
A fancy pen set is a pretty standard business gift. (I'm sure you could find a nice one for under $30)
You could also search for some nice, sugar free candies or treats. (I am guessing he is diabetic?)
Flowers can be nice. You can get some nice man-bouquets or potted plants, or bamboo reeds.
posted by Crystalinne at 5:56 PM on May 8, 2013
You could also search for some nice, sugar free candies or treats. (I am guessing he is diabetic?)
Flowers can be nice. You can get some nice man-bouquets or potted plants, or bamboo reeds.
posted by Crystalinne at 5:56 PM on May 8, 2013
One of the best dinner gifts I ever received was a bouquet of flowers.
Use it as a center piece, as that was the ONE thing I forgot in the throws of getting a dinner ready, so it was welcomed, and displayed. And if there is already a center piece, than she can put it on her nightstand.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 5:57 PM on May 8, 2013
Use it as a center piece, as that was the ONE thing I forgot in the throws of getting a dinner ready, so it was welcomed, and displayed. And if there is already a center piece, than she can put it on her nightstand.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 5:57 PM on May 8, 2013
I would go with flowers.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:14 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:14 PM on May 8, 2013
Flowers. They won't take up permanent space; they don't overemphasize the no-sugar, no-booze dictate the way diabetic candy or a non-alcoholic drink would; they're nice to have out while you're there, and they are a common shorthand for "Hey, thanks for having me over."
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:15 PM on May 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:15 PM on May 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Orchids are beautiful gifts that, if taken care of, can rebloom many times in the future and remind the recipient of its giver over and over. I've given them to a previous boss and received them from colleagues, and in both cases the recipient was really happy. They can be very expensive, so a great gift for someone who might expect something more sophisticated, but you can get an affordable one from Trader Joe's or even Whole Foods.
posted by cacao at 6:21 PM on May 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by cacao at 6:21 PM on May 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
DO NOT bring flowers that need attention right away -- so DO NOT bring cut flowers wrapped in plastic. There is nothing ruder -- all of the etiquette books back me up on this! -- than forcing your host to stop what they're doing to put these flowers into water and/or arrange them! Potted orchids and the like are okay because they don't need immediate attention.
Other ideas: nice olive oil, fancy salt, fancy mustard, fancy dog/cat treats if he has pets.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:25 PM on May 8, 2013
Other ideas: nice olive oil, fancy salt, fancy mustard, fancy dog/cat treats if he has pets.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:25 PM on May 8, 2013
Response by poster: Agh, sorry, I forgot to mention that our client is a flower designer, so no flowers.
posted by Conductor71 at 6:25 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by Conductor71 at 6:25 PM on May 8, 2013
Do not bring a pen set; people like your host are inundated with them and they molder in drawers because they seldom match the recipient's preferences in writing utensils. Books, candles, etc. become clutter. Send a thank you note the next day: it's both thoughtful and disposable.
posted by carmicha at 6:36 PM on May 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 6:36 PM on May 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
A nice, elegant set of imported guest soaps.
Or, candles-- but think LAFCO, Dyptique NEST, Kai, not Yankee.
posted by chloe.gelsomino at 6:39 PM on May 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or, candles-- but think LAFCO, Dyptique NEST, Kai, not Yankee.
posted by chloe.gelsomino at 6:39 PM on May 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Why don't you bring one of those edible fruit bouquets? They can add it to the dinner if they want to and since it's fruit, it won't ruin dessert or dinner.
posted by cyml at 6:49 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by cyml at 6:49 PM on May 8, 2013
I agree that you should send a note afterwards but it feels awkward to show up empty handed - I like the idea of a really, ridiculously fancy bottle of olive oil.
posted by cessair at 6:53 PM on May 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by cessair at 6:53 PM on May 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
Good olive oil, or good balsamic vinegar, or a nice selection of loose leaf tea, or those pretty teas that are big flowers, or high quality dark chocolate (if this doesn't fit in "no sweets"), or nice nuts.
posted by jeather at 7:04 PM on May 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jeather at 7:04 PM on May 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ooh, yes - fruit basket or olive oil are great ideas.
I'd go gourmet olive oil, myself. Or perhaps cheese platter? (Although maybe perishable stuff he might not like is not the best idea).
The safest option? Hit up one of those fancy gourmet food stores and grab something like olive oil, or dukkah, or a nut roulade, or local artisan-made not-too-sweet-or-perishable-something. Even if it's something he doesn't eat, you haven't turned up empty-handed and he can always re-gift.
posted by Salamander at 7:05 PM on May 8, 2013
I'd go gourmet olive oil, myself. Or perhaps cheese platter? (Although maybe perishable stuff he might not like is not the best idea).
The safest option? Hit up one of those fancy gourmet food stores and grab something like olive oil, or dukkah, or a nut roulade, or local artisan-made not-too-sweet-or-perishable-something. Even if it's something he doesn't eat, you haven't turned up empty-handed and he can always re-gift.
posted by Salamander at 7:05 PM on May 8, 2013
Gourmet olive oil is awesome. I don't even really like to cook but I enjoyed a fancy basil olive oil that was given to me as a gift.
posted by radioamy at 7:15 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by radioamy at 7:15 PM on May 8, 2013
I think showing up with cooking supplies is a bit off. You could just show up, have a lovely meal, and write him a real thank you note on nice, heavy paper the next day. If he's actually rich, he's got all the stuff he needs or wants. If he's a florist, he's got access to all the gift shows and such, and a $30 knickknack isn't going to do much but take up space. Is your boss bringing something?
posted by Ideefixe at 7:22 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by Ideefixe at 7:22 PM on May 8, 2013
Response by poster: I'm not sure what my boss is bringing, if anything.
Thanks for all the ideas. I know our client loves food and cooking, so a super gourmet olive oil is a great suggestion.
posted by Conductor71 at 7:24 PM on May 8, 2013
Thanks for all the ideas. I know our client loves food and cooking, so a super gourmet olive oil is a great suggestion.
posted by Conductor71 at 7:24 PM on May 8, 2013
infused olive oil (basil, chili pepper) is also nice and it's pretty, too.
posted by sweetkid at 7:52 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by sweetkid at 7:52 PM on May 8, 2013
Expanding the olive oil suggestion: a cool vinegar? California has a few local vinegars (along with copious local olive oils).
posted by straw at 9:15 PM on May 8, 2013
posted by straw at 9:15 PM on May 8, 2013
A selection of unusual varieties of salt. Black salt, pink salt, red salt, all labeled with the origins.
I wouldn't get a gourmet olive oil for someone wealthy who loves cooking, unless you have access to something really unusual that they wouldn't normally be able to acquire.
posted by yohko at 4:36 AM on May 9, 2013
I wouldn't get a gourmet olive oil for someone wealthy who loves cooking, unless you have access to something really unusual that they wouldn't normally be able to acquire.
posted by yohko at 4:36 AM on May 9, 2013
Sometimes you have to shell out $10 for something that will be regifted. Don't get too wrapped around the axle on this.
Sure, no matter what you bring, your host will have that item, and it will be better, more expensive and probably superfluous. Oh well, you made the gesture and that's all that matters.
So settle on something you can get at a gourmet store.
One gift I remember hearing about was something that the host could eat for breakfast the following morning. So coffee, scones, bagels, lox, something of that ilk might be appropriate.
Candles and soap are safe too.
Do send a thank you note after the dinner though.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:54 AM on May 9, 2013
Sure, no matter what you bring, your host will have that item, and it will be better, more expensive and probably superfluous. Oh well, you made the gesture and that's all that matters.
So settle on something you can get at a gourmet store.
One gift I remember hearing about was something that the host could eat for breakfast the following morning. So coffee, scones, bagels, lox, something of that ilk might be appropriate.
Candles and soap are safe too.
Do send a thank you note after the dinner though.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:54 AM on May 9, 2013
A bottle of fancy soft drink - a really unusual juice, cordial or sparkling-but-not-alcoholic drink.
posted by penguin pie at 9:11 AM on May 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by penguin pie at 9:11 AM on May 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not sure why flowers is not a good idea for someone, even if they are a florist. Presumably, they LOVE flowers. Since this person actually knows a thing or two about flowers, you can pick flowers that have personality or signals that you want to convey. Or, go to a florist from another country and get something unique there. Since they probably already have vases, you can spend more on the flowers. Score.
Overall, I think consumables work best. I don't think olive oil really counts, though, since I see so many unused fancy olive oils in fancy houses I go to. It's a go-to gift that takes forever to use. I'd say get something that's easily consumed and that acts as a conversation topic for like 3 minutes.
posted by homesickness at 9:48 AM on May 9, 2013
Overall, I think consumables work best. I don't think olive oil really counts, though, since I see so many unused fancy olive oils in fancy houses I go to. It's a go-to gift that takes forever to use. I'd say get something that's easily consumed and that acts as a conversation topic for like 3 minutes.
posted by homesickness at 9:48 AM on May 9, 2013
Nice nuts.
posted by WeekendJen at 10:56 AM on May 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by WeekendJen at 10:56 AM on May 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I see from your profile that you are in Los Angeles; hie thee down to We Olive in Long Beach for a nice hostess gift (they have spreads & things other than just olive oil). If you can't get there in person, I believe they also do mail order, but you miss out on tasting everything before you buy.
Or a nice box of mixed nuts, like wasabi-spiced, etc, since your client can't have sugary.
Whatever you do, keep it simple; your client is already hosting you to thank you, don't bring something so special that you both get stuck in a thank-you loop.
posted by vignettist at 11:02 AM on May 9, 2013
Or a nice box of mixed nuts, like wasabi-spiced, etc, since your client can't have sugary.
Whatever you do, keep it simple; your client is already hosting you to thank you, don't bring something so special that you both get stuck in a thank-you loop.
posted by vignettist at 11:02 AM on May 9, 2013
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