Gift for host

Bubbles and / or chocolates

Sometimes for the guest, staying with friends for a night or two and bearing gifts can work out almost as expensive as staying in a hotel! But that's not the point. It's the company and having fun together.

The last time (Christmas last year) I took bottles of wine, a local calendar from a local artist, bought them a bottle of champagne and took them out for a meal, plus of course the usual Christmas pressies

Romola

If you're staying for more than one night, you really must take your host(s) out for a meal.
And I think that taking wine, unless it's something really special, is a bit lazy.
I try to take delicacies from my local region which do seem to be appreciated.

Where I live, wine IS a local delicacy! Unless I'm going to another wine growing area, I will always bring wine from a local vineyard. Or a gift basket with some of the by-products they also sell such as vinegar, liqueurs, jellies, or tiny bottles of brandy or schnaps.

I pay for a meal out during my stay and take nice wine if they are drinkers. I might take flowers as well depending on the length of stay, however, I mostly travel by train so that can be a bit impractical. When people visit me I love it if they bring cut flowers. I dont tend to buy them myself as they seem a bit of a luxury, but I do really like them.

If you're staying for more than one night, you really must take your host(s) out for a meal.
And I think that taking wine, unless it's something really special, is a bit lazy.
I try to take delicacies from my local region which do seem to be appreciated.

I always treat them to a meal out. It’s nice for them if they’ve been cooking for you whilst you’ve stayed in their home.

If they like cooking I take a set of flavoured olive oils.
flavoured oils

When I v isit a friend who lives alone (as I do) we may go out for a lunch somewhere, but also we both enjoy Chinese food but not much choice when buying alone, so either we go to a good chinese resteraunt or also we may go out for a day and then I pay for a mix of chinese food from our favourite good place and we enjoy the variety at her home. Is there some food that is not available often that you know they like? Might be indian or whatever, but it gives pleasure whilst meaning your host does not have to make a meal or wash up

My cousin gave me a lovely doormat this year,everytime I see it I smile and think of him,unusual gift but I love it

I take my friend out to lunch each day on a weekend stay over. If I'm there longer I pay for some shopping when we go to the supermarket as well

Prosecco.

I sometimes take a couple of bottles of wine from our local vineyard, and will generally take my hosts out to lunch while there.

I am never a guest but have a lot of guests. I like being given cut flowers. Not potted plants or plants for the garden which can be the wrong thing and burdensome. Tokens can be good but I have some I have not got round to spending for over a year as it takes effort even on line. Someone gave me some cash which might be thought rude but was actually very useful and easy to spend and saved me going to the bank. Food and drink can be tricky. You need to know the person well. I was given a bottle of whisky this week but my husband and I don't drink but he says it will be useful for other visitors. I can't eat chocolate but have sometimes been given it which is torture as I would love to eat it. Having said that, I got a wonderful food present the week before last. A visiting family member bought all the ingredients and cooked six different curries for my freezer. He has worked as a chef. So kind. People used to pay for meals out together but I am not too well now and it can be too much effort for me to eat out. It is nice to be given something though and feel one's own kindness is appreciated. I would say ask the person what they would like. Flowers are my choice. But some people might have allergies.

For all their trouble (hah!) of putting you up and hosting you - I like to take the host(s) out for a lunch or dinner somewhere they like. That way you get out of the house too! That is ALWAYS very much appreciated.
USA Gundy

I recently took a CD and an etching I'd made.. very well received..

Going abroad to visit relatives I can’t take food or flowers. We take them out for a meal or take them to a garden centre to choose something for their garden. We ask them if there’s anything they’d like from the Uk, and in the past fingerless gloves from Turtledoves have been asked for!

M&S do excellent artisan jars of honey and you can add a glass/ceramic pot and maybe an & olive wood honey spoon. If you live in London a jar of Fortnum & Mason Stilton £10.50 or £14.95 and if you buy on click and collect (free) the packing is amazing - in a box with ice cold gel pouches and thick wadding and they will give you a fresh bag to present it in. If not you can arrange delivery direct. If you have a branch of Home Sense or TK Maxx near you they have a great selection of luxury food items at fabulous prices and they are now starting to fill up with goodies for Christmas - eg luxury Panettone

annodomini, being vegan and (very) allergic - I couldn't have your flowers (or Doodledog's bath products) in the house. You'd have to leave them outside.

I'm wary of 'homemade' anything too, so wouldn't consume it (just not worth the hospital stay).

I take a selection of nice biscuits, crackers, chocolates, nuts, preserves and wine (if they drink) - in fact, anything that will keep if not used.

I'll take them out for a meal while I'm there and pick up things when out, like strawberries, olives, hummus for snacks. I'll offer to help, too, with anything they might find difficult.

Flowers, gin and/or Cremant, homemade preserves and/or cake, depending on length of stay and which friends.

Yes we too take the hosts out for a meal, making the suggestion beforehand so they can choose and book.
It depends who it is as to other gifts and take something appropriate be it wine, flowers, a plant for the garden, a local delicacy.
I don't make jam or bread so that would not be something I would take. I am not sure if it would be well received either unless I was expecting it. I am usually pretty stocked up when people are coming.

I take my friend homemade jam, bottle of red wine and a loaf of homemade bread. Usually only stay one or two nights.

A meal out together is always a good idea, but suggest it well in advance. I know if I'm expecting guests for a few days. I have all meals worked out and shopping and preparation done as far as possible.

We generally buy flowers on the day before we leave, and will pay for a meal out.

If staying with family, I will either give some cash for groceries, or buy the groceries.