Help with what gift to take to a dinner party?

I would like to take the hostess a gift - would like your thoughts on what is appropriate, please?



The dinner party is being given by an ex-colleague of mine and her husband. She has invited my boyfriend (they work together) and suggested he might like to bring me, but hasn't contacted me direct, and I think I might have offended her slightly. I would like to make amends.



The dinner party is quite important for my boyfriend as his boss will be there, the hostess is a well educated middle class English lady aged 50.



Should he take wine and would it be appropriate for me to take a gift such as flowers?



I'mm also feeling anxious about what to wear...any helpful suggestions please?!

Help with what gift to take to a dinner party?
Hi, as to gifts - wine is not always a good idea unless you pick a bespoke bottle. Me and my wife tend to go for a nice wrapped box of Belgium chocolates, if she opens them you may have them passed round with coffee, therefore make sure there are enough for everyone present. As to what to wear, it depends on the invite, if your borfriend is wearing a tie - then a dress is appropriate. Enjoy and relax, they have invited you.
Reply:A bottle of wine and some flowers are the norm. So you won't go wrong there. Wear a simple dress, nothing over the top and nothing too fussy. Don't wear anything that is too revealing.



Be relaxed and remember they are human beings too and they all brush their teeth, pass wind, go to the toilet and sometimes can't find what to wear.



Enjoy your evening.
Reply:yourself
Reply:Wine is always a nice gift. I like the idea of potted flowers, myself - that's what I took when I went to meet my boyfriend's mother.



I wouldn't sweat it that she didn't contact you directly. If she works with your bf, asking him to bring you as a date is fine.



Dress in something you feel comfortable in - always the most important!! Casually elegant, I'd say. Nothing too loud. Maybe a casual dress, or some nice slacks and a blouse. Dress it up slightly with some tasteful accessories, but don't go overboard.
Reply:bring yourself act like a lady and crack jokes, im sure middle class and educated people like jokes as well. oh theres one thing that true for most middle class people who think they're smart for some reason they all love samuel beckett maybe a framed print of that famous pic of his would be a nice gift.
Reply:A bottle of Barolo will go down well. About ￡13.
Reply:I dont think you can really go wrong with a nice bouquet of flowers. As for what to wear, nothing too short or very low cut, she doesnt sound like the sort of woman who would appreciate it. Either a nice pair of trousers and a smart top or a dress cut slightly under the knee. perhaps a nice wrap dress or something worn with heels.
Reply:Good wine - worth doing your research. Something less well known then Stowells or Hardys would be preferable!

I'm not sure about flowers, I personally would think thats a bit OTT, considering I dont think you need to make amends for anything! A nice posh box of chocs (again nothing too obvious) could go down well if you really want to take something else.
Reply:i like to bring dessert or wine
Reply:been in the situation be for, what i did was by something funny IE a board game, eg twister,operation,kplunk something along them lines, so when a few glasses of wine gone down get the games out? if this fails take a bottle of expensive wine?
Reply:Basically you should not take anything as your the guest of a guest, do not take wine she might be insulted that you think her not bright enough to select wine for her own dinner party, I would wear a plain simple black dress, not too short and not too low, don't overdo the make up or jewellery either and wear your hair simple but stylish and if she looks down her nose at you after all that then just smile and worry not, be yourself and never make excuses for who you are, if you wish to buy her flowers or a plant then I suggest you do that the day after as a thank you for a lovely evening.
Reply:flowers or a small plant would be acceptable and not over the top.
Reply:Speaking from my personal experience, the wine sounds like a good idea, but not sure about the flowers ~ I personally have allergies and would be sneezing my head off thru the whole dinner if someone brought me flowers.
Reply:try not to worry, you havent offeneded her and if you have she would be a petty witch to hold on to it forso long.



a bottle of wine is good enough.

dress in somethig that covers your **** and ****.

forget the plant or you will look like an **** licker!



remember that you are a great person as you are.
Reply:If you bring a bottle of wine - this should be enough - for you as a couple. A gift for the hostess is allways nice and it can be done very creative if you'd like to make an impression. A glass of some delicacy, such as a truffe can be as nice or a handembroidered lavender-sac.



Dont overdo it though. She can find it kind of embarrassing
Reply:Unless this has been specifically requested I'd say not. If you hate the idea of turning up empty handed then take wine - a nice safe and reasonably expensive one like Chateuneuf du pape, or brandy such as courvoisier for your hosts own, private consumption. Do not expect to either see it again or for it to be drunk with the meal, the hostess will have already taken care of complimentary beverages when she planned her menu. to suggest otherwise, or that you know better, is an insult.

If you would like to take flowers make sure that they are already arranged as the hostess will have enough on her plate without the extra work. It is probably better to wait until after the event and send them as a thank you.

Thortons chocolates are usually welcome as long as she's not diabetic or anything, but again intend them for private consumption - what she actually does with them is up to her...

Wear something elgant and plain with understated jewellry and make-up - it is not your place to outshine the hostess

Be pleasant, look interested at all times , watch, listen and learn , do not boast, above everything do not even think about getting drunk and...Enjoy!!!!!
Reply:Flowers, and a bottle of red and white wine for the meal. To be on the safe side, red for red meat, and white for chicken/fish.