Thanksgiving is almost here, and most likely you have plans by now. If they include being a guest at someone else’s home for the traditional Thanksgiving feast, you’re among the lucky ones who get to skip the meal prep and table setting. However, you’re not totally off the hook. Remember that as a guest, it’s important to bring a hostess gift when you arrive. The type of gift you bring depends on a lot of factors, like how well you know your host, what style of Thanksgiving dinner will be served, and what other guests will be there.

The design experts at Mission Viejo Florist have put together some great gift ideas for you to bring to your hostess, no matter what kind of celebration this Thanksgiving will be. Take a look and find something you know you’re hostess will love getting as much as you enjoy giving it.

Why Are Hostess Gifts Important?

Bringing a hostess gift is more than just a time-honored tradition. The act of thanking your hostess for the invite with a token of your appreciation is good etiquette. But you’re also showing your appreciation for all of the planning, preparation, cooking, cleaning and decorating your hostess has put into making this day special. Hosting an event like Thanksgiving dinner requires a good bit of time, resources, and energy, and your hostess will undoubtedly be blessed to know you realize that.

What to Bring to Your Friendsgiving Host

Mayflower Centerpiece

Friendsgiving is quickly moving from a trendy new idea to a tradition in its own right. Similar in many ways to a traditional Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is usually celebrated on the weekend before Thanksgiving Day (so participants can still get to family gatherings) and includes friends instead of relatives. If you’re included in a Friendsgiving celebration, make it enjoyable with one of these great gift ideas:

• Fresh Flowers: Bring or send a gorgeous centerpiece like our Mayflower Centerpiece to delight your hostess and guests alike. Light up the room with a candlelit design with festive fall flowers.
• Extra Dessert: While there will always be pie at Thanksgiving, no one, including your hostess, will turn down yummy bars, cakes or cookies. Get creative and share your treats.
• Leftover Containers: Your hostess may or may not have considered the leftovers situation at the end of dinner, so help her out with plastic containers and lids. Whether she stores them herself or sends them home, she’ll be grateful for the extra storage.

Choose Something Stylish for your In-Laws

Thanksgiving Hostess Candle

This is the time to make an excellent impression. Even if it’s not the first time you’ve met your in-laws or future in-laws, you’ll want them to be glad you’re here. A stylish gift that totally suits them will get you started on the right foot.

• Coffee Table Book: Choose a coffee table book about something your in-laws love- European art, architecture, the Beatles. If they love it, find a way to incorporate it into a gift. They’ll love to know you thought of them.
• Woven Basket: A fresh fall basket for holding blankets or sewing materials is a great accent to any home’s decor, especially in fall and winter.
• Cozy Throw Blanket: A cozy throw with fall colors will be a great addition to your in-laws’ home. Guests can cozy up for their after-dinner coffee or football game, or they may choose to display it on the guest room bed.

Comfy Hostess Gifts for a Traditional Thanksgiving

Candy Apple Bouquet

Even if Thanksgiving will be so traditional for you this year that it’s predictable, don’t let that be a reason to neglect your hostess. In fact, the established order of things makes it even more important to bring a gift that helps your hostess and shows your gratitude.

• Games and Toys: Bring toys or games to occupy kids and free up parents to socialize a bit. A lego set, puzzle or card game will keep them busy and allow parents to enjoy adult conversations for a while.
• Bright Fall Flowers: Your hostess will love the gift of lovely flowers like our Candy Apple bouquet. Bright fall flowers can grace any room in the house and remind her how special she is.
• Breakfast Treats: No one wants to think about cooking a big breakfast after spending the day in the kitchen. Gift your hostess with muffins, a breakfast casserole or a fruit salad to be served the following morning for breakfast.

Wherever you spend your Thanksgiving, be sure your hostess knows how much you appreciate her hard work. You’re thankful to be included, and she’ll be thankful she invited you, as well. For more great ideas about hostess gifts at Thanksgiving, talk with the gift experts at Mission Viejo Florist. We’re here to help you choose the perfect gift every time, especially at Thanksgiving.