Some great ideas here but these are not generic enough. I personally have no use for any kind of ornament, alcohol or I-tune download thingy. I say stick with flowers or a gift card from a mall or other large store that sells a variety of stuff. Of course you can always re-gift anything.

I've been trying to think of a gift for my dad and sadly he wouldn't be able to use most of these either because he has too many already or has no interest in them (i.e. movie passes, itunes) :(

I vote card for gift certificates (though its good to know your giftee well enough to know what kind to buy - I have been the receiver of many gift cards that are for stores I would not usually shop at for anything or stores that are not in my area), movie passes, stationary, warm socks (or other wintery warm items - you can never have enough scarves as far as I'm concerned), and above all homemade anything. But I agree with the above poster - alcohol and ornaments are iffy - not everyone celebrates a specific holiday that uses ornaments and not everyone drinks alcohol or knows people who would enjoy it as a re-gift.

I think these ideas are usually considered "generic" and not as fun/ meaningful as other gifts, but again, if you know your giftee well enough, and can personalize these things to their taste, they can be awesome!

oops! I meant "I vote hard..."

Yeah, I also think some of these rrreally aren't for anyone/everyone. Ornaments and paperweights would end up in the trash, more people than you might think either don't like or need to avoid alcohol for one reason or another. Gift cards are sometimes nice, but knowing where to get them to is important and I am always a bit turned off by them as a way to get people to spend more than what is on the card, but that is just me being a bitter, cynical person.

I like handmade stuff, because even if it ain't great/useful, it at least feels like it isn't just some dumb cheap tat someone picked up on their way out of Target. And the movie passes seem like a really great idea that I had never even thought of, especially now that movies are crazy expensive and everyone is unemployed. It's a nice way to give someone a night out to see what they want, which I think is probably the perfect gift.

@stellarkar - what about the family "go to" of framed/ collaged photo gifts?

I think gift cards are lame. They're impersonal and they can see how much you spent.. then you feel pressured to get a card for a larger amount than you'd spend on an actual gift so you don't look like a cheapskate... maybe that's just me...

A couple are acceptable, though mediocre; the rest are spectacularly thoughtless...

A gift from the heart that shows you "know" who the receiver IS, is best. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not look up from their "smart phones" to notice things like this anymore. I pay attention to what people say, do, and what their homes look like all year 'round and I usually get them something they love as it actually "gets" their personality. Please think before you just grab something because you need to bring a gift. It means so much more...

So many people I know aren't drinking alcohol, I've stopped taking it as a default, generic gift. I've been doing good olive oil, good balsamic vinegar, etc. Instead of flowers, I've done bouquets of fresh herbs, parsley, basil, whatever's fresh in the garden or available at the store.

@ShalMayan...I think the idea behind this gift guide is that you DON'T know the hostess.

I always appreciate when guests bring a bottle of wine. Every gift doesn't need to be super original... I just love wine.

This list seems more geared towards hostess gifts and I think generally its a pretty well rounded list. This is the time of year that I like to make a batch of bourbon balls or cake poppers and put it on a pretty serving plate that they can keep (or re-gift), tie it up with some ribbon and a simple ornament (again, to keep or re-gift). Everybody wins.

The only thing I'd give people I don't know well would be sweets or wine.

I would NEVER give a gift card for any host.
Tacky.

Carrying on the with alcohol theme, a growler from a local microbrew always seems to get consumed right away.

RocketScientist - you can come over to my house anytime!

If I'm doing gift cards, I don't do Starbucks or iTunes. Those are too generic and it's not like the giftee can buy anything "nice" there. I prefer to find a local store that does gift cards (over the phone, for folks who live far away but who I will see in my own town). That means I have to do it ahead of time and not last minute, but it's quicker than an actual shopping trip so I don't mind. And GoogleMaps is your friend - I find stores in their neighborhood even that are selling stuff in a style or of a type that I know my friends/acquaintances like, then visit the website to find out if the store does cards and the phone number. It's really not hard or time consuming.

Failing to find something tailored to the recipient, I give Container Store or Macy's gift cards. Pretty much anyone can find some little things at those two places, but they can also go for something more expensive and a bit fancy-feeling. Especially Macy's, I think it so tied to pop culture and the holidays through movies and books and the parades that it feels more fun to get it than a Starbucks card.

I think many who posted here may have misread the opening paragraph. I shall quote, "So you've been invited to a party with a host or hostess you aren't especially familiar with."
With that said, of course none of the aforementioned items would work for your Dad; if you’re thinking of gifts for him, hopefully you're familiar with him. And of course not every gift works for every person but that's why there are 10 items on the list.

I agree that a gift from the heart DOES show you know the person but what about the host gift that it's polite to bring when you DON'T know the person well? (Please refer to second sentence.)

Why would movie passes be bad? Many of the best movies come out this time of year when folks are strapped for cash. Or popcorn and comfy socks? So they can stay in and relax after having a crew of scrooges over for a holiday party. To the person who said these weren’t generic enough, what could be more generic than #9? “Homemade.” Finally, if you don't like these ideas, mention your own and help the conversation rather than chastising the creator for theirs. Host gifts are truly a case of “it’s the thought that counts” and it's a simple matter of how much thought you want to put into it. It’s far too early in the holiday season to read from such naysayers.

My idea: chocolate covered bacon. And before you say it, you’re right, the diabetic, vegetarian, lactose intolerant chocolate hater among us might not like it…but done right, everyone else will.

A gift card as a host/hostess gift? Really? That seems rather strange. A bottle of wine seems to do the trick every time for me. Ornaments I would stay far far away from.

My favorite go-to hostess gift is a package of coffee or tea. Even if the host/hostess doesn't drink it, it's always something you should have on hand for guests.

Perhaps I've hit an age when I don't go to many parties that A)would require a gift for the host, but B)I do not know the host well enough to guess red or white. Even if the host doesn't drink, bringing alcohol to a party is a contribution to the merriment. Unless the party is completely alcohol free, your bottle of wine/vodka/budweiser WILL be consumed. If it's really nice, the host will quietly put it away to be consumed by him/her later.

When in doubt: Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!!!

Let me just make a plea for hostess gifts that are consumable (wine, chocolate) or temporary (like flowers, not plants that impose a duty of care).

There are many people like me who have way to much 'stuff' already. When I invite people to my home, it's because I want them to enjoy themselves. I never expect a hostess gift and, if people bring one, I'd prefer that it add to the enjoyment of the occasion, not be more stuff.

A gift card for a hostess who you don't know...? Very strange, and like a few people said, tacky. Maybe you could just had her a ten dollar bill? Also, socks for someone you don't know? Isn't that weird, too? Next I thought you were going to say a pair of underwear. I'd go the coffee, tea, candy, or flowers route. If you don't know the person, booze can turn out to be awkward.

Before giving booze as a gift, PLEASE find out if the intended recipient even drinks.

My parents never drink at all, don't cook with wine, and still don't know what to do when a well-meaning acquaintance presents them with a bottle they'll never open (and don't feel comfortable re-gifting).

When I am a hostess for a few hours and someone wants to bring something, I always appreciate both wine & flowers, although some hostesses esp. dislike these both. Wine because they feel obliged to serve it (I don't) and flowers because they have to stop & put them in a vase (ask someone else to do that, have a vase handy just in case).

When people come to stay I love getting nice food gifts to share during the visit or things I ordinarily wouldn't buy myself like high-end candles (think Diptygue!) or soaps in gorgeous wrappers (those Porto soaps are really pretty).

But I don't expect anything!

@LinkyInVa - giving a bottle of good olive oil is a terrific idea, I'm definitely stealing that one!

My go-to gifts are olive oil (who doesn't use olive oil?) in a pretty tin or cloth napkins (everybody can either use more or appreciates them as a way to get started). I try to make sure though, with the napkins, to bring at least six, a full set of eight if I make them myself. (If they're inviting me, I figure that means there's more than four people to be entertained.)

Love the movie passes idea, too!

I totally agree that this is a weird list. I would never bring a pair of socks to a dinner party and hand them off as a hostess gift....well, maybe I would if I didn't want to be invited back. I once read that food/ alcohol are not good hostess gifts, as then the hostess feels obligated to immediately use them, possibly disrupting her meal plan. Personally, I'd MUCH rather receive a sincere thank you note after the party rather than a last-minute, thoughtless "gift" the night of the event.

A paperweight, really?! No, I just don't think everyone would really appreciate a paperweight... wine, yes.

To echo many of the comments posted, a consumable is a most welcomed gift--whether chocolate, alcohol (an unusual dessert wine might be a good choice), or some other edible. To make this a more thoughtful gift, pair the consumable with something. For example, a bottle of olive oil paired with a nice tea towel; a jar of jam with an unusual wooden, ceramic, or silver spoon; a dessert wine with a couple of glasses. This shows you've at least put some thought into the gift, and these are things you can have on hand at any time. As a dinner party hostess, I have never expected a gift but am very appreciative of them.

I like canvas tote bags. I tend to buy them throughout the year if I see a neat one. Also buy them at Hobby Lobby when half price and will decorate them with yoyo's or have painted them in an animal print. I think they are useful and generic. Not offensive, as apparently socks are?

On the note of alcohol....we started giving friends bottles of cinnamon-infused whiskey around the holidays and it's always a hit! It's perfect if you're visiting for dinner or longer, and always gets people chatting and trying it. Plus, it "warms you up" so it's nice during the colder months.

this list is kinda... ugh. I wouldn't want most things on it.

I would love to receive sweets, but I don't drink so if the wine+alcohol couldn't be used at said event it would just end up in the trash or me trying to find some homeless guy to give it to. I DO love receiving plants though. The giftcards... seem kinda tacky and awkward. and again, chances are I won't have a use for it, like with the starbucks example given, I don't drink coffee so again, I would have absolutely no use for it. Movie passes, ok thats pretty legit. definitely not on the socks. most of the times they're ones I can't/won't wear, (toe socks? seriously? those things are so damn uncomfy!) DEFINITE NO on the ornaments!!! I keep a very specific color scheme for my tree and I dislike the messy eclectic decorated trees (they're fine in other peoples homes, just not mine!). Every year the ornaments I receive go in the back of the tree where I cant see them or in the "donate to goodwill pile" Handmade... eh, depends on what it is and if it was handmade well. Possibly stationary I guess, but I doubt it.

I think the point is that these are generic host/hostess gifts. It specifically says "host or hostess you aren't especially familiar with." And as the host/hostess, you should be gracious with whatever gift you receive - and take note of the giver so you don't accidentally regift it to them. It is very difficult to shop for someone you barely know when you plan on occupying their home.

Wine and sweets/treats can be opened and enjoyed at the party, even if the host/hostess doesn't care for them. In fact, the gifter will probably feel very good to see it being used.

Other generics (soft socks, movie passes, stationary) can be regifted if the recipient doesn't care for them (I literally have a gift bag of fuzzy socks and spa stuff I regift to my friends and sisters that actually love them.)

I would avoid giftcards and ornaments. It's a little awkward to know a stranger spent $X dollars, and all my ornaments are very personal.

I would like to add scented candles - they look very nice in a little basket with some tissue paper. Again - very regiftable.

Plants/flowers are lovely. I especially like to give cuttings of my Christmas cactus in pretty pots. It's kill-proof and so beautiful in bloom!

Be careful with the handmades - the idea is lovely, but the execution should either be very personal (if you know the person well) or very generic so it doesn't end up in the garage sale bin (eg the artisan soaps are a cute idea). For goodness sake, I don't need another scarf - and what the heck do I do with a knitted toilet paper coozy?!

I think this is a great list - the title is maybe misleading. Really, it's too bad not everyone actually read the intent....

How about some pretty non-holiday themed dish towels or a bottle of fancy handsoap or lotion to use at the kitchen sink?

How about a votive or small pillar candle in a pretty holder?

Wow, people sure get riled up about hostess gifts. I had no idea. I better stop giving puppies.

Candle and holder = good generic gift. And what's so tacky about a gift card? I like getting these, as long as it's for a store where you can actually buy something for the amount of the card, without spending more.

A gift card isn't always a lame idea, not if it's for a niche store. I used to have a rocker brother-in-law. Didn't know him that well, but enough to know that he only bought music and supplies from a small shop. I'd get him a gift certificate for that store. It was definitely more personal than getting him a gift certificate to, say, HMV. And I'll never forget the time a coworker who only barely knew me and picked my name for the holiday gift exchange decided to give me a gift certificate for a fancy pen and stationary supply store after noticing that I always had pretty pens and notebooks in my cubicle, rather than something completely generic like a gift certificate for Tim Hortons.

I loathe consumables. Inevitably, the person always brings me something I'm allergic to. I wouldn't mind a generic gift card to 'bucks or iTunes. In fact I would love if someone brought me stationery. Wine, not so much. I don't drink it and have a bottle I just gave to my neighbor that I've had since '05 - given to me by a dinner party guest who didn't know me very well and probably read a list similar to this one.

Ironically, absolute best hostess gift someone ever gave me was Lamy Safari fountain pen. All she knew was I was a writer and I liked pens. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that pen so much.

I don't get the people who say that consumables are a bad gift because the hostess feels obliged to serve them. I feel like it's a best case. Either A, it's something I love and I feel grateful, save it and eat it later, or B, it's something I don't love, and I feel grateful, thank the giver, and then immediately serve it up so my guests can enjoy it. Obviously don't bring something that requires a huge amount of prep, but wine or sweets can almost always be gotten rid of.

Gift card = money in an envelope.
No. Any gift, including host/hostess gifts, should not have the price tag attached.
I wouldn't bring anything like movie passes, itunes, they're not generic enough. When you don't know / are not familiar with the person who is going to host you, better stick to something that will be eaten or used immeadiately (or there is always the risk you're bringing clutter as a gift).

I like to give my hosts potholders or tea towels handmade by a local artisan. Everyone can use a fresh set and I support a small business all at the same time!

ugh, too many people are saying "just regift it" Unless you actually know somebody that WILL like whatever crap you were given DO NOT regift it. 1. regifting is tacky and insulting to everybody involved. 2. If you don't like the crap you were given why would you think someone else would? It just leads to a neverending cycle of regifting something noone wants.

All the bratty people came out to post on this one, be happy and gracious if someone brings you a gift. Period.

I like to bring a homemade coffee cake for the hostess to have the next morning (or put in her freezer for later). Cosumable, but nothing that the hostess would feel obligated to serve that evening.

I would be embarrassed if a guest I barely knew gave me a gift card. A bottle of wine, sweets--any small consumable like that (olive oil, honey, tea, anything) is a charming gift. Little soaps or tea towels are ok too. But a gift card? Terrible. It's a specific dollar amount, which I really don't want to know. If it's much, I'll feel terribly obligated to reciprocate (to a near-stranger) and if it's very little it's pretty useless and a waste.

actually, probably the safest gift is just to buy a toy/treat for their kid or pet. my parents were horrible at receiving gifts when I was growing up (must be where I got it) and it always just ended with a 10 minute long match of people thrusting stuff at each other until someone finally gave in and took it (maybe its an asian thing, im not sure). after awhile people just started bringing things for me and my siblings and everyone was happy. I don't have kids but I'd be thrilled it someone brought my dogs something.

I agree that I'd have no use for a large number of these: Starbucks, iTunes, ornaments, stationery...

I would LOVE if someone brought me a growler of good beer, but that's really not a universal gift.

I liked some of the post's suggestions, but the ones here in the comments are even better!

The only on the list that does not appeal to me (and that I would never use) would be the gift card. Somehow that seems rather cheesy to me. I think flowers are very nice, a bottle of wine is ALWAYS ok (really. people, even if the host/hostess does not drink, they would have to live on a remote island in order not to have anyone who they could regift the bottle to), chocolates, home made cookies, cards, those are all very acceptable and I am sure will be appreciated. Even if I never ate chocolate I would still value the gesture that the guest was considerate enough to bring something for me.

Another idea for a hostess gift: salad utensils (the big spoon and fork). I got them myself from a friend whom I invited to a party, I do have to admit I would have never chosen that particular design myself but it was a gift and I have been using them to this day. Many salad utensils are made from olive wood I think (or some wood with very nice pattern in it) and they look very decorative.

Or, how about a few packs of paper napkins? (each with a different design).

I make 20-25 different kinds of cookies every year to give as gifts. I spend the entire month of November baking and creating so others can enjoy. . . <B> And they DON'T.</B>

I used to give away at least 50 tins a year. I'm down to 10 or less now because of eye rolling upon receipt, snarky comments both to my face and behind my back, and one quantum family idiot who returned the tin to me 11 months later with the cookies still inside.

Once my 87 year old Auntie dies, this tradition will come to an end. She looks forward to her tin all year long and looks for recipes for me to try. SHE appreciates all the work and love and joy that goes into an endeavor like this. Most people nowadays want something shiny and disposable, not handmade. At least that's my take on this type of gift giving.

I agree, I would rather not get any trash. I have a hard enough time disposing of the crap I accumulate myself. Food and drink are always nice and can be put out at the party for guests if I wouldn't want them myself, although achohol maybe not so much. Not much of a drinker and avoid people who are. If you don't know me well enough to get a thoughtful present that's fine, a thank you for the invite will safice.

Dear mosaicwench, please do not stop! The world needs more home-baked cookies.

the olive oil! brilliant.
mosaicwench, i'm sure we all feel for you, people dissing cookies, homemade? (despicable.)
jams, yes please (a wily + decadent but super sweet friend loves getting them).
these may be a bit tacky, or better for people you know will like these, not just host/ess gifts; but, beverages in bulk?
Kombucha wonderdrink, several 6 packs, or V8 spicey or every color of Glaceau if they like it;
or POM,
find out in advance what they drink if possible.
Mccormick lemon pepper (most lemony), garlic powder or salt.
soap--pretty smelly soaps (pricey they would never get themselves, or Nagchampa or the pretty little bars in Chinatown).

chopsticks, a box of nice ones or a jar of plastic apple green ones.

MosiacWench, last year I shipped cookies to a handful of people I hadn't been in touch with as much as I liked or who I knew were going through a tough time. I got so many thank-yous and nice feedback! So, save the homemade cookies for those who appreciate them, I'm sure someone in your circle will.

Consumables, consumables, consumables:

Candies are ok. Maybe some thin mints or something that could be played off as "after dinner mints" or set out all the time as a snack?

I personally would love a box of assorted teas, and if I didn't I could set them out for guests to choose from in the future.

Hot cocoa, for an after dinner beverage?

An attractive jar candle might be nice, just be careful to pick one without an overpowering scent if you don't know the hosts preferences.

Better yet, contact the host ahead of time and find out if you could bring a dessert (pie? cake?) or a side dish to make the evening meal easier. Serves as a time saver AND a thoughtful host/ess gift!

Give me homemade cookies over a gift card any time, BUT give me a gift card over a randomly chosen non-consumable EVERY time. I DO NOT WANT your clutter. :) I'll smile if I get it and find someone who does, but don't make me...

AFter reading all this I dont think I want to be invited to a party. I would stress too much over the hostess gift. Consumables yes. Paper weight? seriously?