should I take a gift?

Something for the new garden? We were invited to a 70th birthday/housewarming and I found a lovely recycled wood planter and planted it up with herbs for the deck they had installed. Was much appreciated.

Not everyone wants chocs (I don't!) but flowers are nice as is a plant

Don't worry about what others are doing- or not!
Flowers, or maybe even a plant - either for the garden, or an indoor one if not. Or even a planted container - doesn't have to be expensive , you can usually find them for less than a tenner in many of the supermarkets this time of year.
If not, have a look around for a plain glass vase - you can never have too many of those in diferent sizes in my opinion!

Yes take flowers, it’s your first visit to a friends new house ?

I'd take flowers. Better to be more than less, if that makes sense.

It's a bit like being over-smart at a do. I'd rather look like I've made an effort than not.

Hope you have a lovely time.

Of course you can take flowers or a plant. I always do when I go out for lunch with a friend. It's just a nice gesture. Whatever anyone else does is up to them but I think it just good manners.

Personally wouldn’t dream of turning up to a meal prepared by someone else empty handed.

I usually take a bottle of wine if I'm invited for lunch. You could end up the only one not taking anything.
Maybe you are overthinking it.
People shouldn't feel uncomfortable because someone else has done something they haven't.

Or a box of chocolates. They could be shared at the time or kept to herself, as the hostess wishes.

I certainly wouldn't go empty handed.

It's up to you what you do and not others. I would take some flowers or a plant.

I would take something. It's not a question of what it's the thought towards the invite and the hard work involved in the preparation and food - whatever the event is.

As your friend doesn't drink how about a nice bottle of non-alcoholic fizz, I love Elderflower but there are lots of different ones in the Supermarkets.

I'm personally not a fan of flowers but a nice house/garden plant is most welcome especially if it's an Orchid

I wouldn't go to lunch empty-handed, as others said, and also for a first visit to a new home I'd take something sweet, pastries, chocolates, cake, biscuits in a nice tin. To make the time in the new home sweet.

Take flowers, can't go wrong. What woman doesn't like flowers.

Take the flowers! X

Hello Oldwoman70, I always take flowers or a plant when visiting and particularly so when visiting a friend in a new house. I think talking about it to someone has caused you to doubt yourself. How would this person you have been talking to know that others going to lunch with you won’t be taking a gift ?
I always used to take a bottle of wine to a lunch but so many people now seem to be cutting down or have stopped drinking alcohol that I don’t any more. You also say that your friend doesn’t drink so a bottle would be inappropriate.

Definitely go with flowers. I have to say that I prefer greatly to receive flowers rather than plants. This is purely a personal view but I don't have room for more than a few houseplants (which I already have) and being given garden plants (unless these are specifically known to be wanted) can also be daunting, in terms of: "where the ****! am I going to put this?"

I think it's OK for you to take flowers. It's up to the other guests to make their own decisions as to whether they want to take something or not.

Flowers are a lovely idea. Never mind what others are, or aren't doing

You mentioned that your friend doesn't drink alcohol, so I'm agreeing with Legs- Tesco do a really nice elderflower and apple presse. Makes a lovely refreshing alternative to wine and very nice for the warm weather we're having. You mentioned that the other guests have already visited so presumably had their chance to take a housewarming gift then. As this is your first visit, then I see nothing wrong with you taking something as your first visit gift.

I think most people turning up will be taking some sort of little gift, and if they are not, well, they should. Hard cheese if they feel uncomfortable.

Strange how different people are. I have three very close friends in fact my son calls the four of us the Merry Widows.

We sometimes go for a meal at one or another. Three of us always take something, a bunch of flowers, chocolates or one friend will say I'll bring the desert(even though she doesn't need to .) One of the friends never takes anything(which doesn't matter) and then she feels so bad but then says I just don't think!

I never expect anything as I always think that I have the pleasure of their company.

Yes I would take flowers or an Easter Egg as it it is Easter time

You could take a box of chocolates that the hostess might wish to to share round after the lunch with the coffee such as after 8 mints. When I give parties some people bring flowers ans some don't. some bring a contribution like a dessert but they generally discuss that with me first. Bring something that you are happy to bring. any hostess likes to receive a little gift.

I always take flowers when invited to someone's home for a meal. New house or not. I was brought up to do so. I remember visiting my my aunts together with my mother as a child in the school holidays and mother always took flowers even though they were her own sisters. I don't understand why you wouldn't say thank you in this way to someone who has been kind enough to host you. ?

A bunch of flowers would be a nice gesture. Why be ruled by another ?as feeling uncomfortable is their problem not yours.