Need ideas -- PLEASE -- for hostess gift
 

We are going to visit friends in Boulder, CO to attend the Conference on World Affairs in April. I am at a total loss as to what to take for a hostess gift. We will be there almost a week, they are shuttling us to and from the Denver airport and loaning us a car for the duration. Needless to say, they deserve a very nice hostess gift.

One of the problems is that our hosts, whom we have known forever, are fairly wealthy and need NOTHING. They travel widely and have a home liberally decorated with lovely things from around the world. I am bad at thinking of hostess gifts at the best of times, but this one has me stumped.

I have thought of sending flowers to be delivered just before we arrive. They don't garden (and have a service to cut the grass, etc.) so my idea of flower bulbs won't work for them. We sometimes take our hosts out to eat when we are visiting someone, and will in this case, but that hardly seems adequate for their generous hospitality.

Any ideas?? Thank you to anyone with a suggestion.

Is there anything special made in your area -- like candy, syrup, wine....Also what about making a trivet or placemats, napkins, table runner, something like that?

If they are as benevolent as they seem to be, can you make a donation to a cause that they care deeply about and in the thank you card, can you elaborate on why you chose the organization and where the $$ will be used?

A lovely bottle of wine or a really nice champagne with a couple of nice glasses and cheese/crackers done in a nice gift basket? Or if you're not sure of their wine preferences, possibly a gift card to a local wine shop with the glasses, etc. A couples spa treatment? And yes, possibly something made by you. If they are the type who appreciates craftsmanship.

How about making them a lap quilt? placemats? runner? etc.

No matter how much they have, I'm sure they would really appreciate something you made for them.

Flowers ... Instead of in advance, I'd suggest waiting and having them delivered after you leave, with a personalized note of appreciation.

make sure the gas tank is filled, and after you leave send them a note of appreciation along with a gift card for a wonderful dinner out or a weekend at a nice nearby bed and breakfast. the B and B is my fav everyone loves a getaway.

I goggled 5 star restaurants in Denver and there are 5 listed. Why not a gift certificate for two at one of these?It would be appropriate and you could include it in a box of Godiva Chocolates or something else simple that they could enjoy at the moment. Or tickets to one of the plays or other events happening in Denver. If travel is no problem for them, how about tickets to a Broadway show?

Whatever you decide pls include something you've made just for them. If you go the wine route make some crisscross coasters. Every time they use the coasters they will think of you and tell their guests "our friend made these for us".

Agree. My brother in law is very wealthy and when he got married I made him a double wedding ring quilt. Also, when my family visited my aunt for a week many years ago I gave her a Sunbonnet Sue quilt. Just recently she says she still uses it! It doesn't matter how much money you have, there's nothing like the comfort of a home made quilt!

I like the idea of a gift basket with wine, chocolates, gormet nuts and pretzels - I can get them at various stores here but like to make my own. And to make it extra special I include a cheese "tray" and a little spreader. I make the cheese tray myself, or almost. I take an empty wine bottle to a local bead and jewelry store that fuses glass. They melt the wine bottle flat and if the bottle is clear I will have them fuse some colored glass on the bottle. After they are flat I decorate the next of the flattened bottle with silver wire and beads. Everyone loves it!

Does either of them love to cook? Olive oil stores are popping up everywhere, and not only do they have oils, they have flavored balsamic vinegars that are fabulous. I am partial to the blood orange olive oil and chocolate balsamic on a spinach salad.

If they don't cook, I would go with the gourmet basket above. If it's something you can't carry with you, I would order it online and have it sent after with a thank you note. My father-in-law loves the baskets I send him from iGourmet.

I am thinking if you can make them a nice sized lap quilt in colors that compliment either their decor or color preference you cannot go wrong. As collectors they would appreciate a handmade item more than anything else. They will understand and appreciate the personal effort and skill it takes to create something. In Denver a lap quilt will be appreciated even if it is just a quilt to keep in the car. If you don't know about their colors go with some basic color dark/light combination and you cannot go wrong. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

You can't go wrong with all the suggestions you have to choose from. Some handmade would be appreciated. In addition to things already mentioned, how about one of the shoulder warmers (filled with rice) that can be heated in the microwave. Those CO temps would make a comfort item special.

There are some amazing handmade cutting boards out of lots of different woods, or a handturned wooden bowl. If you have time you could make them a table runner with matching dinner napkins.

WOW. When I posed this question, I knew I would get some good ideas, but I am simply blown away by the thoughtful, considerate and meaningful ideas everyone has suggested. My DH and I eagerly look forward to checking this thread every morning to see what new ideas are waiting for us. Many, Many thanks to each of you who took the time to think about this and respond.

I LOVE this board!

If they are that wealthy they have access to all the amenities money can buy and are probably well stocked already. I really like the idea of a quilt because it suggests you cared enough to put the time, effort and thought into making it. And it will be a one of a kind, not likely to be duplicated, gift. Lap size would be fine.

If you run out of time...what about a nice basket of fruit from Edible Arrangement? They have the highest quality of fruit and do a VERY nice job. MY daughter bought one for me a while ago and we devoured it in a short time. Loved every bite especially the chocolate covered strawberries.

when you are Boulder do not forget to go to the tea house and take your hostess family . it was fun when we went there and is so unusual. i would also take a homemade quilty item too.
kathy

I love Harry & David. Send them a "tower" of fruits, nuts, etc. they come in all sizes and their product is wonderful. Since they already have "stuff", food makes sense to me. The items in a Tower are individually wrapped and packaged.
You can go to their website and shop online.

Sandy

If you have time make a sm quilt that can be used for any occasion.
You can make one and ask if they would donate to a good cause.
If they have grand children,make them a quilt for the grandchildren.

If you or someone you know scrapbooks/makes cards - how about some wonderful one of a kind cards maybe for different occasions? I have a friend who does this and they are truly wonderful. It would give them some one of a kind cards to use.

You can adopt an animal at the Denver Zoo in their name. Its very popular in the Metro area. I hope you have a wonderful time while you are here. The weather should be warm in April, but we have been know to have 30" of snow in April. Pack a jacket.

I am an engineer, my co-workers are all male, and when I get invited to dinner at one of their homes I like to bring something homemade. Most guys will bring flowers or wine as a hostess gift. I made embroidered tea towels on nice kona cotton (tone on tone) tied together with a satin ribbon. Every one of the wives were awed and truly touched. They were so used to getting other things that they never received a homemade gift.

For a wedding gift once (which would work here since it is a bigger gift) I made two sets of embroidered white towels, (bath/hand/face) with GUEST embroidered on them in white on white. Then got a large basket with a lid (from Michaels) and rolled up the towels, put small bottles of shampoo/conditioner/body soap in it. It was a guest basket for them to place out for guests. It was a really cool gift and my friend who got it actually cried (male friend) cause it was so sweet. Most people forget to have sets for guests, or use the mismatched whatnots in the linen closet. I liked this enough I made one for myself. :) and with the closed basket, it stays fresh and ready for next use, and looks pretty in the meantime.

But I vote for a lap/throw quilt. Homemade items to me are so very special, and rare. Not to mention all the love stitched into them.

Do you have access to photos of the couple and special events in their family? (probably someone in their family has posted many photos to Facebook.) Download the photos and make a quilt wall hanging (any size) that showcases these photos. This is something that money cannot buy!! They'll love it and treasure it forever. I made a wall hanging of a similar type for my brother in law and am now making one for my son in law's BD. They both are very wealthy and there is nothing of substance I can purchase for them, but these wall hangings are treasured by all who have received them.