The season of Thanksgiving is upon us, and if you’re among the lucky ones who have been invited to celebrate at someone else’s home, you have plenty to be thankful for! It’s important to express your gratitude to your host for their hospitality, not to mention the hard work they’ve done to prepare a beautiful feast. A host or hostess gift is the perfect way to show your thanks when you arrive. But what should you bring?

Besides the traditional bottle of wine or handmade dessert, which are almost always welcome, the creative minds at Adrian Durban Florist in Cincinnati realize you might want to bring something a little more unique or personal to express your thanks. Here are some more great ideas, no matter what kind of Thanksgiving you’ll be attending.

Show Your Hostess Some Love

Your host and hostess have worked hard to prepare a feast, and probably spent a bit of money doing so, as well. It’s poor etiquette, and frankly, not very Thanksgiving-y, to show up empty-handed. Here are some tips on finding and bringing the perfect hostess gift to Thanksgiving this year:

• Stay Classic: If you don’t know your hosts’ tastes very well, bring something that anyone will love. A lovely floral bouquet, a bottle of wine, or a homemade dessert (that needs no preparation!) will always be a welcomed delight.
• Stay Trendy: A fresh set of stemless wine glasses, stylish monogrammed dish towels, or a set of painted mason jars with a fall theme will bring a fun update to your host’s home.
• Stay Personal: If you know what they like, choose a gift in that category. A new mug and their favorite tea or coffee, a monogrammed cutting board, or an engraved coaster set will be enjoyed long after the festivities are over.
• Stay Simple: Something that doesn’t require any work to enjoy will be a blessing after a long day of serving and hosting. Bring your hostess something that’s simple and easy to love, like a fall-scented candle, an upscale fancy handsoap for the guest bath, or send our Artisinal Autumn Centerpiece ahead to help with decor.

Fabulous Fall Centerpice – Artisinal Autumn

Scented Candle

Spend Time with Friends for Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is a not-so-new trend that is settling into its own tradition. Friends gather to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving feast, typically the weekend before Thanksgiving day, since many will be scattered to family celebrations that day. It’s a great way to enjoy the family you choose. If it’s not your turn to host, give your Friendsgiving host a reason to be thankful for you.

• Bring a side dish: The Friendsgiving host will provide the turkey and gravy- it’s simply too cumbersome to travel from elsewhere. That leaves every side dish imaginable up for grabs. Plan to make something to bring, or even offer to help organize the potluck duties.
• Help decorate: If you’re available and can show up early, most definitely your hostess will be thankful for some help decorating and setting the table while she cooks up a storm in the kitchen. You can even have our Classic Cornucopia Basket sent ahead of time to include on the serving or dining tables.
• They need more ice: This is not a question. When in doubt, bring more ice.
• Share your flatware: It’s reasonable to think your host or hostess may not be equipped with enough flatware, glasses, place settings or serving dishes to accommodate such a feast. Offer to bring some of yours and together you’ll be ready!

Gorgeous Classic Cornucopia Basket

Nice Bottle of Wine

Be Prepared to Meet New and Important People

If this is your first Thanksgiving with your significant other’s family, it’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone and for them to get to know you. You’ll want to make a good first impression, and that starts at the front door, with you holding a fabulous hostess gift. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re a stand-out guest at this Thanksgiving:

• Be a Conversation Starter: A fun, family-friendly get-to-know-you game will not only delight your host or hostess, it’s a great way to break the ice and avoid awkward silences.
• Bring Games or Toys for Kids: While the kids will be delighted that someone thought specifically of them, their parents will welcome the chance to sit back and visit, knowing their kids are happily occupied.
• Think Ahead: A gift of breakfast muffins for the next morning or an aromatherapy bath set for your hostess will let her know you see her hard work and know she’ll be ready to relax soon.

Conversational Game

Dog Toys

Gifts for Traditional Thanksgiving

If the Thanksgiving you’ll be attending is on the more traditional side, and you’ve been related to all the hosts and guests, well, all of your life, it can sometimes be even more difficult to choose a hostess gift. You don’t want to be overly formal, but you still want to contribute and show your gratitude. Here are some great, unique ideas that might come in handy:

• Kitchen Accessories: A beautiful set of unusual wine stoppers, serving utensils, or linen napkins will always be acceptable. Try to match your host’s taste and stay in keeping with their particular style- they’ll just love your gift that much more.
• Household Decor: Again, keeping your host’s style in mind, a pretty picture frame, unique piece of local art, or interesting book in their favorite genre will be a deviation from the norm and a great way to say “thank you.”
• Holiday-Themed: Anything with a fall or Thanksgiving theme to it will be a great addition to their collection. Cute pilgrim salt-and-pepper shakers, a pumpkin-shaped pie plate, or apple cinnamon hand soaps for the guest bathroom can be enjoyed now or every time autumn rolls around.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Whatever you choose to bring to Thanksgiving dinner, be sure to bring something to let your host or hostess know you’re thankful for them. They’ve put a lot of time, energy and resources into preparing this amazing day, and you didn’t have to do anything but show up. That definitely warrants a small token of appreciation, and your hostess will truly love your thoughtfulness. For more great gifts or to send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to thank them, talk to the designers at Adrian Durban Florist. We hope you and your family have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!