This dialogue will let you be a lot more socially correct. This may not make you the king of the ball, but it's a little help.

Have you ever been "that chick" that shows up to a social event without a gift? You may not even consider a gift until you arrive, and then you see what others have brought. What went wrong?


It is crucial that when you attend a get-together such as a dinner party, housewarming, or holiday event, you show the party giver that you are appreciative of the time, effort, and cash that went into the event. One of the best ways to make the party giver feel special is to offer a gift. Beverages are the first choice for most. Wine is a classy choice, but if the hostess's are not drinkers (or worse, alchies), you could be in danger. The next great gift is great coffee. I would suggest organic, Fair Trade coffees, such as those from Nectar of Life Coffee. They have a fantastic selection on-line with every roast level imaginable. You can always go the route of the local, tropical, alcohol free, fruit drink. If you aren't near produce stands, and you aren't sure what to get, the last choice for the drink category is fruit teas. They are a sure crowd pleaser, with little to boohoo about. There are so many flavors out there, that the skies the limit. Currently I'm on a blueberry tea kick.

Now that we've covered drinks, lets move onto solids. The healthy choice is a vegetable platter with a creamy dipping sauce. Don't just bring everything in a brown paper bag. Think artistic presentation! You can get a colorful, plastic platter, for very little money. It will make all the difference in the world. Keep your eye out for sales on serving dishes at stores and even yard sales. It's always a good idea to include a thank you card with a note saying "please keep the tray."

Perhaps food and drink aren't your thing. In that event you could bring flowers or a coffee gift basket. Unless you know the hostess would really like it, avoid bringing gifts such as hard liquor, or firearms. Finally, don't forget to provide a card! You do want to be noticed for your well thought out gift, don't you?