We've been invited to a holiday open house. Hostess gift?

[Missy Vixen]

It's one of those etiquette quandaries we all just loooooove, and I'd love to solicit some opinions.

Someone I know has invited us to her holiday open house on December 20th. She's a NYT bestselling author. Obviously, she doesn't need much. At the same time, I would like to bring a token of our goodwill and holiday wishes.

Here's the restrictions:

No food due to health issues.
She loves orange.
She was an interior designer before she became a NYT bestselling author.
I'd like to spend less than $20.00.

Here are my ideas so far:

An orange soy candle. (I wish I could afford glassybaby, but it's not happening this year.) http://www.glassybaby.com/browse.aspx

A copy of Peter White's holiday CD, which is one of the nicer CD's I've ever heard. His version of "River", for instance, is worth the price of the CD. http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Season-Peter-White/dp/B000002C1A/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228118771&sr=1-7

An ornament for their tree.

If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!

Thanks in advance,
Julie

[Bunny]

1. I think you can't go wrong with a candle. It's appropriate, not offensive in any conceivable way,

(although DU has shown that there is always someone who can be offended by something), and can always be re-gifted if she would prefer not to keep it. So, put me down for the candle.

[Missy Vixen]

7. Bunny, I like the candle idea, too

The health condition means that wine probably wouldn't be appropriate, and you're right -- if she doesn't like the candle, she can regift it.

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone!
Julie

[blueraven95]

2. I like both the candle and the ornament

but I think the candle is most likely to be the least problematic, so I vote for that too!

:hi:

[redqueen]

3. Make a donation in her name to a charity she likes?

:shrug:

[Marrah_G]

4. Orange Liquer and a couple neat glasses from a discount store.

Toss in a little basket tie a bow on it!

[1gobluedem]

5. I always take wine

And it's always appreciated.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. Hostess gift? Easy.

Hostess Twinkee.


Problem solved.