Does anyone do table gifts?

[Ginandslippers]

Hi there,
Does anyone do little gifts on the table on Christmas day and if so, do you have any fun ideas?
For various reasons we are having to spend Christmas day with a part of the family who we don't usually, and they are insisting that we don't need to bring ANYTHING! And have been firm to the point that they will be offended if we turn up with the usual host type gifts/contributions of wine or special extras such as chocolates - they want to provide everything.
I was just trying to think of something small and special extra I can do for the day without offending or treading on toes.
If any ideas then I need something for a late 50's couple, an early 40's couple and 2 tweenagers.
Thanks in advance!

What about organising some after dinner entertainment like a quiz, bingo etc? You could bring some small prizes.

My go to small gift is Xmas socks - something small, it festive.

Hotel chocolat crackers for the table?

Or you could respect their wishes, take something very token (maybe flowers?) and then send them a thank you card and gift voucher afterwards.

Hmm, are they the sort to have an elaborately arranged table? They might not want you messing it up.

I think you’ve been given your instructions and should probably comply.

I’d take them at their word - just be an awesome guest and get stuck in at washing up time .

This is a fab idea! Thank you.

Sorry that thank you was for @purpledagger!
@Goldbar I suggested crackers but they have them already. Gift after is a good idea thank you.

Lottery Scratch cards

Usually do a cracker +
Hotel Chocolat Selector for everyone
£1m Christmas scratchcard for everyone

@HeddaGarbled no not at all! I think the issue is we are used to a very different Xmas Day where everyone mucks in and is expected to contribute - family A brings wine, crackers & mince pies, family B brings Prosecco, dessert, chocolates etc. Thank you @minipie we will definitely be washing up!

I sort of am, but just for this year. We’re doing the table for MiL and I’ve gone a bit over the top.

I’ve got clear cellophane bags with white snowflakes on them. I’ve got a small puzzle thing (Where you have to get the ball bearing into a hole), a couple of those coasters with mouths on them that you can hook onto your nose, a decent party hat, a lottery ticket, a hot chocolate stirrer, and a packet of Bean Boozled jelly beans, and they’ll be tied up with gold ribbon attached to a bauble with each guest’s name on which will act as a place setting.

So not a gift as such, but something extra to go with the crackers.

@PurpleBirch & @WowIlikereallyhateyou scratch cards could work, thank you!

@Sn0tnose that sounds lovely

@Ginandslippers Thank you 😊

Scratch cards

I would bring a box of Fortnum’s Turkish Delight or Crystallised Fruits, unless you expect them to have those already.

With respect to my esteemed mnetters I find the scratch card thing a bit naff. I wouldn’t usually say so but if you’re trying to please particular people you might want to know that a sort of mercenary/gambling based gift might not be to all tastes.

Could you take a nice boxed up bottle of Moët or Bollinger with a card saying use this to see in the new year? It’s clear it’s not for Xmas at least!

It’s hard if they’ve told you to bring nothing so agree with pps that a beautiful flower arrangement would also be lovely

@PurpleBirch

Lottery Scratch cards

Yep, I've put scratch cards on the table before. But unless you know each other very well if someone gets a big win it could be awkward

@5thnonblonde

With respect to my esteemed mnetters I find the scratch card thing a bit naff. I wouldn’t usually say so but if you’re trying to please particular people you might want to know that a sort of mercenary/gambling based gift might not be to all tastes.

Could you take a nice boxed up bottle of Moët or Bollinger with a card saying use this to see in the new year? It’s clear it’s not for Xmas at least!

It’s hard if they’ve told you to bring nothing so agree with pps that a beautiful flower arrangement would also be lovely

Isnt Christmas about being a bit naff? It is a bit of fun. Especially if someone wins something. Gifting alcohol, especially to tweens is not really appropriate is it?!Plus, not everyone drinks. You could argue your points for most things.

@WowIlikereallyhateyou I wasn’t intending on arguing any points, OP can take or leave my observations.

I think you should respect their wishes and definitely not turn up with anything for the table. Bringing table gifts or scratch cards is a bit odd if your not hosting.

I would bring a bottle of decent champagne and a florist bouquet of flowers.

@livingthegoodlife

I think you should respect their wishes and definitely not turn up with anything for the table. Bringing table gifts or scratch cards is a bit odd if your not hosting.

I would bring a bottle of decent champagne and a florist bouquet of flowers.

This, if they've said no gifts then don't take gifts.

This, if they've said no gifts then don't take gifts
Agreed! They’ve planned food/table settings/etc presumably. I go to lots of effort for that sort of thing and would be a bit miffed if someone wanted to put tat all over it: sorry but scratch cards and random cheap stuff is tat, totally unnecessary and bad for the environment. Little horrid cellophane bags of landfill.

Bringing wine/flowers/chocolates on the day is generally a no-no as it gives the host another chore/thing to manage – finding space for the wine, vase for the flowers, etc.

The classy thing to do is either send something in advance – booze or flowers – when things are less hectic for them, or a follow-up gift. Also as pp says, do the washing up :)

Dont try and hijack the event with table gifts

Dont bring anything. I say this to my guests and mean it

Lovely bunch of non red flowers for the host would be nice
Or a box of Audreys chocolates (their supply fortnums)
www.audreyschocolates.co.uk/pre-packed-boxes/hn/prepacked.aspx?hn

I would be silently seething if you turned up with scratch cards at Christmas.

Buy them a family game that can be played on the day as a present? Something that they will all like… so for example we took a ‘friends’(the TV show) trivia quiz to relatives who all love the show. OR pucket is an amazing game that all ages can get into - set up a tournament

Why aren’t you listening to them? I find it quite rude that you’re ignoring their wishes, though I absolutely recognise that you’re trying to be nice! However, if they are adamant about you not bringing things, please listen and send them something afterwards. It will also be a lovely treat in miserable January.