Do You Always Have to Bring a Hostess Gift When You’re Invited to Someone’s House for Dinner?

You are invited to dinner…do you always have to bring a hostess gift? What if you’re bringing a dish or several items - do you also need a gift?

Real Simple Readers say:

• Of course: 49.7%
• No, just follow up with a thank-you note: 33%
• Only if it’s a fancy dinner: 17.3%

Experts say: “Hostess gifts aren’t mandatory at less formal functions,” says Robin Abrahams, who writes the Miss Conduct social-advice column in The Boston Globe Magazine, “but it’s never wrong to bring one.” Remember: No flowers unless they’re in a vase, and don’t expect wine or food gifts to be consumed at the meal. And, adds Abrahams, “if you don’t know the hostess well, give something re-giftable, like candles.”

Source: The Real Simple Reader Etiquette Poll By Adam Bluestein - check out readers (and the experts) had to say about other etiquette questions.

Which leads me to our Mama Says Thrifty Thursday Idea: …if someone gives you a hostess gift you REALLY like – then thank them profusely and recycle their great idea.

A recent dinner guest brought a beautiful kitchen towel – the Atlanta dish towel from catstudio. It’s so cool that I considered framing it rather than using it. This company makes a line of  home accessories featuring original artwork on pillows, glasses, aprons, totes and trays. The intricate (and creative) artwork highlights major cities, states, regions, parks, and countries. So you can celebrate, commemorate hometowns, vacation memories, favorite places and so much more.

An ideal gift for newlyweds, a wedding shower, housewarming - the Mama Says, "No More Frozen Pizza!" recipe collection and a catstudio dish towel.

An ideal gift for newlyweds, a wedding shower, housewarming - the Mama Says, "No More Frozen Pizza!" recipe collection and a catstudio dish towel.

When my husband and I were invited to a housewarming party for newlyweds – I combined the Mama Says, “No More Frozen Pizza!” recipe collection and a catstudio dish towel for a unique housewarming gift.

Do you have a hostess gift idea to recycle or share?  We have one more….bring a “dish” and leave a dish as a gift! Please add your suggestions to the comments below. Happy (and thoughtful) gift giving.

An ideal gift for newlyweds, a wedding shower, housewarming - the Mama Says, "No More Frozen Pizza!" recipe collection and a catstudio dish towel.

10 Cleaning Tips Re-purposing Common Items

As the kids go back-to-school and our schedules return to ‘normal’ I’ve had a moment to look around the house only to find things that need sprucing up.  Rather than running to  the store for special cleaners, I remembered saving a Real Simple article with a list of cleaning tips using around-the-house staples.

Most of these suggestions use common household items which can be put to work as dirt-busters. Give them a try for a thrifty approach to summer-clean-up. Personally, it felt great to re-purpose and re-use items that were already in my pantry and first aide shelf.

Oatmeal:

Use it to scrub dirty hands.  Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water; rinse well. Perfect after gardening –especially in the Georgia clay.

Rice:

Use it to clean the inside of a vase or a thin-necked bottle. Fill three quarters of the vessel with warm water and add a tablespoon of uncooked rice. Cup your hand over the opening, shake vigorously, and rinse. A wonderful way to give your favorite vase, water pitcher and glass storage container a deep clean and renewed shine.

Glycerin:

Use it to remove dried wax drippings from candlesticks. Peel off as much wax as possible, then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and rub until clean.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect a keyboard. Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide to get into those nooks and crannies. I’ll be doing this often during the fall to prevent to spread of germs!

Rubbing Alcohol:

Use it to erase permanent-marker stains from finished wood floors or solid-surface countertops. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and apply.

Looking for more ideas? Check out the Real Simple article ‘10 Unexpected Natural Cleaners.’ Do you have a thrifty tip? Please share by leaving a comment below.