Going to a friend’s house for Christmas Day… what to take?

[Itisallgoingtobeok]

This year my marriage failed spectacularly, and so this will be my first Christmas alone. A work colleague who I have known for years has invited me to join him, his new partner and her two daughters who are in their early to mid 20s. I am so touched by their kindness. Of course I know him very well, but I don’t know his partner or the daughters at all. I have offered to help cook, or bring some food, but they have said no (nicely!). I’d like to take something with me, either presents for each of them, or I wondered about a hamper. The hampers I have seen don’t look great, so all ideas for what I could take with me are gratefully received!

Have seen pictures of various versions of this. We have a cold buffet on Christmas Day (too many people to cook for and no one really likes the traditional Christmas meal) so am thinking of doing a couple of these

@Parker231 - I really like this idea as it isn’t too extravagant, but quite personal too as I will make it myself.

Go to a decent offie and get them to tell you what wine to take!

I always like chocolates.

Crackers?

Have been saving the pictures to copy!

Do they like cheese & biscuits? In my house I’m afraid that wouldn’t be touched & would end up in the bin. I think wine & chocs is safer?

I’d be annoyed if I specifically asked someone not to bring anything and they turned up with bloody cheese Christmas tree 😂 If it’s food for the day you need to agree it with them.

How about a waxed amaryllis? Hardly takes up any space, and you get beautiful flowers.
eg https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/wax-amaryllis-rudolph/classid.2000030759/sku.BU30002362/?gclid=CjwKCAiApaarBhB7EiwAYiMwqhMz_hRSHoJ-hnGjTAwX9Cmc4Sudz8nNqoFocp2DYx_gMSuzT95nvBoCV4cQAvD_BwE

Wine and fizz, posh chocs. Also a couple of bottles of good quality, unusual soft drinks for those who don’t drink or just want an alternative.

It sounds like you are invited without any expectations so I would go with a selection of wines / prosecco (as they could drink on any occasion) and a game as this could be a great ice breaker as you don't know the family well but also just a good family gift!

I am so glad you’ve got a kind family to spend Christmas with. A family did similar for me last year (I’ve also had a failed marriage behind me) and it meant the world.

You could ask the family if there is a cause or charity they support and make a donation. The children of the family I stayed with were quite touched by this concept which I explained to them during the “gift-opening” part of the day. They discussed between them which cause to support. The perfect thing, I think, might be this plus a token gift or at least a nice card. In my case the invitation was last-minute so whilst I passed the charity donation idea off as something that is the norm in my family (which is actually the case), it also served me well as I did not have the chance to go to the shops!

The donation idea also solves the problem of wanting to give something but having been asked to not bring anything.

I hope you and they have a great day.

Don't over complicate it, keep it simple with chocolates and wine. If they don't like them, it's easy to regift. If you aren't sure about wine, ask the salesperson for a nice sparkling wine or champagne in your budget, or google the same question.

If they've sorted the food for the day, which will probably produce a lot of leftovers, a cheese board or cake probably won't be eaten.

I would take a Small wrapped gift of chocolates for each person.
Champagne or Prosecco or plus red wine, I also like to take a bottle
Of Baileys so I am surprised nobody has mentioned this.
The idea of a special Yule log is lovely but a panettone with a lovely ribbon is also a fab gift as they keep for several months and the packaging is special.

Some nice wines, maybe a fizz, red, white and rose. I also take some silly bits like Christmas hats/head bands, a little fun game. I'd maybe include a Christmas poinsettia, some chocolates, make a nice box of pulling crackers. I'd also send a message on Xmas eve to ask if there was anything they might not have managed to get hold of or forget with the shopping that you could pick up for them

Take something for the children, even if it is money in an envelope.

I make chutneys and pickles so usually give those, if you are not up to that something I have done and has always gone down well is a sort of mixed thing.

Get a clean jam jar, put a peeled garlic clove in.

Then add thin slices of olives, peppers, mushrooms, capers You can add a sprig of rosemary if you like and then fill the jar with olive oil. Make sure everything is covered and there are no bubbles of air. Put the lid on.

Leave for a week and you end up with a garlicy oily veg that can go with cheese or as a nibble on crusty bread - it looks good too and will last a couple of weeks.

I also like the charity donation idea, often you can get a toy, for my parents golden wedding my brother and I sponsored a golden retriever hearing dog and they sent a soft toy dog - you might need to do two for the two girls.

I would hate a home made gift and would have no room for any food item that would need to go in a fridge.

I would appreciate fancy crackers, say hotel chocolate and maybe a bottle of cremant if you don’t want to splash out on champagne. But equally I know they’re not to everybody’s taste.

When I'm entertaining, I prefer to sort the food myself so if they keep declining food offers, I would respect that. Unless you say something specific like cheeses, crackers and chutney; or a festive cake as already suggested. If they decline, then definitely don't take food.

A decent box of chocolates and some fizz would be ample. I wouldn't try to second guess a gift for them all.

I'd also take whatever you would want to drink with the meal/before/ after so it's not embarrassing for them if eg they are all drinking wine and you'd rather be having cider! Bottle of Baileys for after if that's what you like. Even if they have some in for Christmas,it will come in.

I would take wine, maybe a bottle each of white, red and fizz - if you go to an off license they will advise. I might also take a tin of nice biscuits, I know people have loads in the house at Christmas but you can always eat them in January! How old are the children? If they’re little I would take a little wrapped gift for them.

I would take something that doesn't need to be immediately consumed. Most people have fridge and kitchen heaving with food at this time of the year, especially if they are hosting. Wine, Champagne/Prosecco, chocolates, M&S/Fortnum & Masons hampers, nuts...

Perhaps a Vin Santo and a box of Cantuccini to have with it. It's not pudding, so you haven't gone against their wishes, but it's a nice gesture, and you can have a glass and a few biscuits after dinner.

Personally....

I would keep it simple, small and consumable.

Something from this page depending on budget (for "the house and host")
www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Candles-and-Fragrance/View-All-Candles-and-Fragrance/c/gift-sets

And a bottle or two of champagne "for everyone" to enjoy all together. They can also pop in a cupboard for later.

While I love cheeseboards it could be annoying people's fridges are stuffed to the gills at Christmas so it might be annoying rather than a welcome gift....

This is a nice idea. They can also keep for a future occasion. I'd take champagne too.

I would say a couple of bottles of wine and a cheeseboard

Please nothing that needs to go in the fridge! Fridge space is planned out in advance and very high value in my kitchen at Christmas. Drinks and sauces and anything that can is outside in the garden chilling. id be really annoyed at a guest coming with a big cheese board christmas day when i said bring nothing

I also agree flowers would be a faff and struggle to find space for on christmas day.

alcohol and chocolates are the best options. that can be kept or consumed on the day.

I would go to marks and Spencer and buy some of their treats:

• a tin of their very merry Christmas munch
• some posh biscuits like their chocolate florentines
• a bottle of red (if you aren't sure what the get just buy something in the £10-20 range and I'm sure it will be gratefully received)
• a bottle of champagne or cremant
• some nice cheese biscuits or crackers

But most of all go and be a good guest- be jolly and interested and ask their children questions. Offer to help wash up and help to clear the table without offering. Play games with good grace if they play them, don't overstay your welcome. And always follow up with a thank you text.

What about "table presents?"

So a small gift bag and in each is an individual bottle of Prosecco, a small box of chocs and a pair of cosy socks.