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!

Some people would be horrified if the guests turned up with a Christmas slide show or bingo game , just let the hosts be the hosts. You can host another time and organise the day as you wish.

If people have said they don't want anything ... respect their opinion.

I am hosting this year, I will have organised what I want, my guests are polite and asked what they can contribute .. I have said we don't need anything... I expect they probably will bring wine/champagne or similar but that can be put away for another time. It can be awkward at a busy time like Christmas if guests turned up with flowers, bottles, random food presents etc etc.

Even a poinsettia would be awkward... I have bought my own and decorated, where would I put another one?

sashh obviously you know your family/friends but I think turning up with food to go in the freezer is a terrible idea, my DGM hosted one year and some guests turned up with (delicious) home made food... including ice cream ... but of course due to getting everything in for a few there was absolutely no spare fridge or freezer space and it all went to waste ... or had to be eaten at inappropriate times, ie; ice cream for breakfast.

@Ragwort

Yes that's why you do it when you leave and have checked the freezer. I probably should have been clearer.

We do secret Santa table gifts because we have a lot of people over on the day, and some buy gifts for some but not others. So the secret Santa table gift makes sure that everyone is included in the gift giving.

But if your guests have said to bring nothing then I would follow their instructions! Send a thank you gift after Christmas instead! They obviously don’t want or need anything on the day itself, and turning up with table gifts risks annoying them.

(Personally I think it’s more polite to let guests bring something! My guests start asking me in blimin November what they can bring. They’d be upset if I didn’t allow them to help in any way!)

@FearlessSwiftie

We don't do this and planning a smaller after dinner entertainment sounds great. You could make a Chrismas songs quiz in a form of a christmas slideshow or print out a bingo game and prepare small gifts for the winners (like chocolates or nice cards).

Not everybody enjoys party games. Some people loathe them. And I certainly wouldn’t introduce them as a guest! If you’re hosting you can do what you like, but if you’re not….

I’d find it a bit odd if I found people looking in my freezer but I suppose not if they were reasonably close family. I guess you could give Cook vouchers? With a note saying ‘dinner was incredible you must need a night off’

I’ve always done table gifts but this year I thought I’d wrap up either a lottery ticket or scratch card each, the anticipation of wondering whether you’ve won will be lovely! Then we can drown our sorrows for not winning with wine or champagne 🤣

May I just venture that I love this thread. So deliciously spiky. OP, please just observe their wishes and send a thank you later.

I would take a game for after the meal, and then judge the crowd and either say its one your brought from home just in case everyone might enjoy playing it (and take it home after) or give it as a gift (obviously make sure its brand new)

Then take a hostess gift of a few items for a nice breakfast on boxing day, so a homemade granola in a pretty jar, or scones and jam and a nice coffee/tea. Hoepfully you know what they might appreciate. Put the items in a basket so they can be stashed on the side and not need to be chilled etc. Or a gift card to a spa as a thanks for the hostess.