These ideas conflict with most that's been said in another recent post about hostess gifts: please don't give us things we can't eat, because our homes are full already!

I always buy a small Hickory Farms type gift pack (sometimes more than one). It serves three purposes.

1. Emergency appetizer

2. Emergency gift

3. Awesome post-Christmas snack if not needed for #1 or #2

I can't believe that Anthropologie has anything for less than $10.

Please stop perpetuating the idea that guests need to bring an almost-useless, non-edible gift into someone's house. They don't. If guests feel the need to say thank you in a tangible way that doesn't include food then a hand-written thank-you note is always perfect and appropriate.

I don't want to imply that InezD was making that statement, even though my comment did. Rather, that the author of this post shouldn't perpetuate that idea.

Only 5 and 7 (and 7 is for you, not someone else) are useful. The rest, as said above, just bring more junk into your house.

Just bring a bottle of wine. Who cares if it's "not creative"; the reason everyone does it is because it's a good idea!

I agree - I don't want any more "stuff", especially not cheap things. Just bring your sparkling self and help make it a successful and fun gathering! Or something edible (or otherwise "use-up-able") as other commenter suggested.

Please don't bring any of these to my party (except maybe the air plant)! Plants and food/drink are always welcome. Otherwise, something that is obviously not thoughtfully chosen for that host is simply more junk. A thank you note (either paper or electronic) is also much appreciated over meaningless knicknacks.

You know, some of us *like* getting silly presents that aren't useful but are pretty. Your idea of junk may be my little indulgence. Hopefully, you know your host well enough to know how he or she would receive these sorts of gifts. For people staying at my house: hey, I'd love those elegant matches or the jams for cheese! Thanks! (And for the record, wine would be an example of a useless gift for me; since none of us drink, I'd probably end up wasting it on some cooking experiment or storing it improperly or otherwise ruining it--"useless" is in the eye of the gift holder, I guess...)

Wine. Candy. Treats. Cut flowers.

In these days when everybody does their own cooking/cleaning/full-time job coverage, thanking the host/hostess for all their efforts with a little treat is a little note of grace.

I agree with NOT bringing gifts...especially mugs unless it's your first place and it's a housewaring party. Mugs seem to multiply as soon as you close the cupboard door..how do they do that?

Here's a question for the people who don't appreciate the silly junk/ knick knacks, and I welcome feedback.
If I don't have a baked good or other treat on hand as a host(ess) gift, or it's not something the person would enjoy, my fallback is local wine/ other booze (luckily NS is full of options now. Everyone should look up and try to sample Ironworks Rhubarb Esprit. Everyone.).
That feels a bit impersonal to me so I usually decorate the neck of the bottle with whatever handmade ornament I am doing that year. Last year was felt angels, this year is crocheted stars/ snowflakes. They are well made (I don't want to embarrass myself) and no bigger than the palm of your hand. I don't expect to see them displayed in subsequent years, and don't care what the receiver does with them, it just makes me feel better about the gift.
To the folks who don't want extra junk around (and I tend to lean that way)- how does that grab you? Acceptable? I don't want people to be all "God, here comes that idiot girl with the stupid ornaments again".

Vintage etiquette, circa 1950, was to show up empty-handed. The day *after* the party, you sat down and wrote a nice little thank you note, also known as a bread-and-butter note. You might also send a flower arrangement to your hostess as a thank you gift.

It's true. Some people love junk. If you drop by a month later, they will actually be using that candle you gave them. I buy nice candles but still...I usually expect people to re-gift them because they look so nice. In general I give chocolate or a bottle of wine and a nice card/note. Don't skimp on the note and get the good stationary.

I hate receiving junk, especially things like bath kits. I have very particular (aka expensive) preferences and most people don't splurge on the really nice stuff for gifts (I don't expect it either). Give me $5 of salted caramels, sea salt chocolates or some gourmet cookies. Even a bag of chips in an interesting flavor. If you really want to be lazy, my boyfriend will love you if we get a box of Lindt chocolate balls. I think people are simpler than we make them out to be.

A host(ess) gift is really for if you are going to stay, not for a dinner or party invite (unless it's a birthday party, then gifts are fine). I only want consumables at this point because I do have too much stuff, but for a young couple or person starting out a thoughtfully chosen present is a nice gesture. For a dinner, luncheon or other party, what could be more classy than a note the next day, mailed with real, pretty stamp on some nice paper. That would be a pleasant surprise! Usually if I am feeding people I have thought through the menu and drinks with some care and won't serve wine that is brought at the moment. I'll certainly drink it later with pleasure, maybe even with the giver. And I love the idea of bringing a special liqueur or bottle of spirits as they last a long time and are fun to have around.

A small splurge-y food item -- example: expensive chocolates that someone's unlikely to buy for themselves (you know the kind, with each chocolate individually hand-painted). Or a good wine or Port. Or if they have a hobby that could use a never-ending supply of something (bird seed for birdwatchers or flower seed for gardeners, for example), that'd be cool, too.

I'm actually fine with the fancy soaps as a hostess item. They look pretty, smell great and go fast. But no potpourri! (Do people still gave that? Maybe not.)