[Mari]

Hi,

I accepted an invitation for a bunch without thinking through how much stress this will cause me.
Is brunch usually before noon ??!!
I think you might have some good ideas about what I can bring as a hostess gift.

What I cannot bring:
1. I cannot bring any food items. She and her husband are foodies.
He is a chef. She has a refined palate. Any food I bring would be lame.

2. I cannot bring any tchotchkes or knickknacks. It's a second marriage and she has complained about having too much junk in the condo.

What I could bring:
1. I love when someone brings me cut flowers. They would work for an evening event but I cannot go to the florist in the early AM before the brunch.

2. I could bring a plant.

3. I thought of a cute book.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6174573_pe...t-brunch_.html
This web site suggests
-- soap
-- candles
-- decorative hand towels

The same web site says that Emily Post says I do not have to bring anything to a brunch. I want to bring something.


Thank you.
M

[bizi]

If emily says not to bring anything then I think I would take the pressure off of yourself and just bring yourself.
A box of chocolates if you must bring something....godivas are fancy and you can get those at barnes and nobles.
bizi

[BlueMajo]

I would take flowers and a little candle maybe... plus chocolates !!

Enjoy your brunch Mari !!! yummy...

[waves]

i have always loved decorative candles of different types.

possibly my favourites are the kind that are usually globe-shaped, and have a stained glass pattern or design on the outside. as the candle burns down, the light comes from within and lights up the pattern.

well heck. i swear i saw these things but maybe they have gone out of fashion or something. or maybe the ones i saw were ehh hand made and not commercially... sigh. all i can find are holders ("knick-knack category), and not even with the same look. even the decorative candles i find are not of this type.

and come to think, either holders or candles would have to suit their decor.

--------- scratch.

i know you said no food, but what about something traditional and store-bought... something fancy that most people like, or something unusual but simple.

An assorted box of Godiva chocolate truffles?
OR

can you get hold of After-Eights? these are slim dark chocolate envelopes, about 1.5" squares, 1mm thick, with a layer of distinct but not overpowering mint glace. The brand is modest - Nestle - but taste and style is simple, subtle... quite excellent, imho.



i think there's about 16 or 20 pcs per box. if i recall they also come in boxes twice that size. two rows instead of one.

that's the best i can do for now.

perhaps if not appropriate these might at least provide stepping stones for other ideas....

~ waves ~

[waves]

oh. i see others have posted while i was image-hunting, and we've all said the same thing. candles and chocolates!

and yes cut flowers or a houseplant are always a good fall back but like Bizi says, if time comes and you haven't found anything, take the pressure off and just show up.

if you want to do a plant, i recommend a bromeliad already in bloom. they are sturdy and do well as houseplants. their flowers last a LOOONG time, so even if they die, they will "outperform" cut flowers and you'd probably spend less than on a professional floral arrangement.

~ waves ~

[waves]

Mari

brunch is usually before noon ... likely around 11, not likely before unless those guys are reall early birds. it can be as late as noon or even at regular lunchtime, where the food is just breakfast-like. the hosts will likely be flexible based on people arriving at different times... always happens.

no meal has a universal fixed time. i suggest you simply ask your friend what time she will expect you to arrive.

~ waves ~

[Mari]

Hi,

First I got a text. I said "yes" without knowing fully what was up.

Then she sent me an email. The invitation is for a "house party" that starts at 11:00. She is a close (in proximity) colleague so I have to go. We are office mates. I can't not go after I already said "yes."

I really do have to go. Work buddy and I both need her to be on our side for the ongoing war at work.

Dear Waves, Majo, Bizi,
I thank each of you for your marvelous suggestions.

M

[waves]

hmmm...

i am confused by your last post title "no gift - expected to purchase something"

ok.... purchase something... that is ... not a gift?

which would be what then? food/bevs? so then this is like a pot luck?

sorry if i'm being really thick here... i'm just really confewwwwwwwwwwwzd.

i wish you could not go. maybe you could say you have a prior engagement you compLETELY forgot about....


~ waves ~

[Mari]

Hi, Waves,


The 11:00 am -3:00 pm gathering is going to be like tupperware. I was sent a link to stuff like a $26.95 vegetable peeler, a 24.95 spatula, a 27.95 banana tree, and a pair of etched glass beer mugs for 24.95.

On the e-vite I saw that only one other person besides me has RSVP'ed "yes" and someone RSVP'ed "maybe."

The e-vite says she will have "New Orleans Mardi Gras flair" for brunch although I think she meant spelling for "fare."


M

[bizi]

sounds confusing....
she is selling stuff? like a pampered chef party?cooking and eating what they cook using the products that they sell?,....no party gift needed at all.
IMHO
bizi