A gift for the hostess. Ideas please?

An orchid in a pot would be lovely.

I find so many people these days have 'gone off'items containing sugar - and if you don't know her very well...? Posh olive oils as a gift have gone down well for me, too.

Otherwise, how about vouchers from M&S, a local independent delicatessen, or even the local cinema?

What about locally produced unusual jams or salad dressings etc--here in Kent we have a lot of local greengrocers and delis who stock this stuff and giftees seem to love them as they can then offer them to their own guests subsequently. It also helps local producers to get on the radar.

Really nice hand cream? A box of "posh" biscuits? Personally I wish people wouldn't bring me plants as I'm then lumbered with looking after yet another plant and we don't have the room! (I'd only give a plant to someone I absolutely know would love it.)

or lidl champagne which is really nice.

cath kidston has a sale. loads within your price range.

lots of pretty things

www.cathkidston.com/outlet/over-50-percent-off/list?ctry=GB

Those pretty macarons from M & S or waitrose go down very well I find.

Scented candles? Decorative tea-light holders? Good pass - it -on gifts if they are not her cup of tea ... Or a bottle with a difference - maybe a nice fruit wine / brandy? Or maybe a pretty glass vase for all those other flowers she will receive .

I'd go with the orchid too. I'm not very keen on cut flowers and wish my daughter would not waste her money buying them for me. Our local family run garden centre make up planters for about £15 and I bought one for my aunt. She loved it and said most of the plants came up again the following year.

I'd go with the orchid as it's what I would like to receive myself. That is a good guideline.

I like the flavoured cooking oils idea. A twist on that, maybe a gift set of quality teas.

A diffuser? My friends and I love them. A 'posh'notebook or visitors book? I like the drawer liner idea - that's a good one.

An orchid would be a lovely gift.

I like the idea of scented drawer liners. I love them and, as phoenix said, would never buy them for myself.

Plants, I gave my friend for her birthday party ( she said no big pressies) a hanging basket of fuchsias she was thrilled and invited me round for coffee afterwards to see it hanging in her garden .... I had another friend who turned 80 and invited s lot of family and friends for a meal . She said she had everything and didn't need any presents but I didn't like to go empty handed and took her an ameryllis to grow herself apparently it had some big blooms and gave her a lot of pleasure watching it grow and then blooming

I love the idea of flavoured olive oils, I'd be really pleased to receive those ?

Nothing wrong with flowers at all Aggie, but there will be a lot of guests and I just have a feeling she will be receiving more than a few bunches of flowers ?

why not flowers ? For a gift that lasts I give a potted plant , Orchids look nice ,they and Peace Lillies are easy care , I like getting them rather than a bouquet

Good one Shysal !

Good quality scented soaps? Scented drawer liners? (I actually like these, but would never buy them for myself)

In a similar situation, I once took one of those boxed narcissus kit things, which was well received, even got a note months later to say that they were flowering and looking lovely in their pot in the hall, but might be the wrong time of year for that sort of thing.

The last time I gave a gift of this type, I bought some flavoured olive oils which were received with enthusiasm.
I hope you enjoy the 'do'.