Your host does not expect you to bring anything to the gathering. Nevertheless, some of the guests will bring small gifts for the host. Others will not. No judgments will be passed on guests who do not bring a gift for the host, but you have decided to bring something. Host gifts should harmonize with the season and should not be expensive or ostentatious.
If you live in California and have a fig tree in your yard, it is likely to be bearing fruit in mid-October. On the day of the party, you might pick a few fresh figs—no more than twelve, wash them and place them in a small attractive basket or paper container. When you arrive at the party, give them to the host as soon as he opens the door. Since figs go well with Italian food, your host may choose to include them with the other items he is planning to serve. Do not urge him to do so. They are his figs now, and he will make his own decision whether to share them or enjoy them later.
A gift for the host at afternoon tea should not create additional work. Preparing the food for a tea party is labor-intensive and requires a lot of last minute attention to detail. Do not bring your host a bouquet of unarranged flowers that he will have to put in a vase. On the other hand, he would probably appreciate a small blooming plant, such as a chrysanthemum or an autumn azalea that could instantly enhance the setting. Other possible gifts that could fit the occasion might include a wedge of good imported Italian cheese, some chocolate covered almonds, some torrone or panforte from a good Italian deli, or even a CD of your host’s favorite operatic arias. Each of these little gifts is something that the host could include in the tea party or save for later.
If you live in California and have a fig tree in your yard, it is likely to be bearing fruit in mid-October. On the day of the party, you might pick a few fresh figs—no more than twelve, wash them and place them in a small attractive basket or paper container. When you arrive at the party, give them to the host as soon as he opens the door. Since figs go well with Italian food, your host may choose to include them with the other items he is planning to serve. Do not urge him to do so. They are his figs now, and he will make his own decision whether to share them or enjoy them later.
A gift for the host at afternoon tea should not create additional work. Preparing the food for a tea party is labor-intensive and requires a lot of last minute attention to detail. Do not bring your host a bouquet of unarranged flowers that he will have to put in a vase. On the other hand, he would probably appreciate a small blooming plant, such as a chrysanthemum or an autumn azalea that could instantly enhance the setting. Other possible gifts that could fit the occasion might include a wedge of good imported Italian cheese, some chocolate covered almonds, some torrone or panforte from a good Italian deli, or even a CD of your host’s favorite operatic arias. Each of these little gifts is something that the host could include in the tea party or save for later.
