should I take a gift?

how about flowers and a gift card.. for the new decor./garden.

I would go for a potted plant, one that can also go outside whether planted or sat on a patio.

If you feel you'd like to take flowers, then do. It doesn't matter what others think or do

I would never turn up empty handed if invited for a meal at someone's house. It is simple good manners.
My daughter who lives a three hour drive away always brings wine and flowers or chocolates when she visits and sends a thank you email when she gets home again. I obviously treat her with the same respect and take wine, homemade preserves etc, home grown plants, that sort of thing. It is always special when we see each other and these little touches feel like a civilised thing to do.

My present from my daughter on Mother’s Day was a lovely indoor Azalea plant. The flowers have just opened and will last longer than a bunch of flowers. Possibly a nice addition to a new house.

Would always take a small gift when invited for a meal or even just some biscuits if invited for coffee. Take the flowers and I'm sure friend will be very pleased.

yes - your gift is for your host and not for the other guests

Always take flowers.

Take the flowers and watch your back with whoever told you not to. They have jealousy/compeditiveness issues with you.

I would never mind seeing a friend recieve a gift from a other friend so just watch yourself with that person and dont take their advice. It doesnt sound honourable

Yes, take some flowers, if everyone else takes nothing, why should it make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Glad you're taking flowers, I would

Been reflecting on this and have to say that, turning this on its head to hostess, I would actually prefer to receive nothing. Don't ask me to explain or I'd sound ungrateful and the thought of anyone feeling unable to arrive without a gift mortifies me. It's people I want, not stuff.

I wouldn't go empty handed if I was invited to lunch, it's courtesy to take a small gift whether this is a first visit or subsequent one.

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

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. ?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?"

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.

Take the flowers! X

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