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Deirdre McMennamin's avatar

Going to a friends tomorrow in fact and need something! I think I'll make granola and will share some of the rhubarb compote I made (my first and so easy and delicious). I'm so annoyed at myself because I have had these Claudia Pearson tea towels for ages in a drawer to give and I finally decided to just keep them and now they're in the laundry. I'll see if I can find some more today.

Ps - wore my Give a Damn sweatshirt to the march on Saturday (too cold and rainy to take a pic)

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Rachelle Hruska MacPherson's avatar

ooh love this. I love seeing people in our gear at marches. we are like a secret club:)

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Marylu Kramer's avatar

I always take 4 home made carrot raisin muffins and tell my hostess they are for breakfast with coffee the next morning.

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Dr. MKD's avatar

Flowers. I gave "her" Dad flowers. He was running the grill. He said a man never gave him flowers.

___

Before antimeme, if you want to dive deep, start here then:

https://www.routledge.com/Mimesis-and-Alterity-A-Particular-History-of-the-Senses/Taussig/p/book/9780415906876

___

And I see you: outline as a menu. I'm stealing that. #CopyLeft

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Rachelle Hruska MacPherson's avatar

OOOh thanks will look into. Love the man gifting other man flowers! gotta make this a trend!

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Amelia Demma's avatar

Either of John Derian’s coffee table books. Or sometimes both. Or anything from John Derian, actually,

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Rachelle Hruska MacPherson's avatar

He is a friend and can confirm, the best!

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Elizabeth Zimmer's avatar

Obscene dish towels from a site called Twisted Wares.

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Rachelle Hruska MacPherson's avatar

love this idea!

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Ellen LaNicca's avatar

I have often brought a spice mill called FinaMill - I have worked for them in full disclosure- but most people don’t own one and it’s a fun tool for anyone who cooks. I also bring fresh whole spices I think my host will use.

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Wilson's avatar

Durant olive oil is my go-to, especially their flavored oils, so yummy on salads and veggies.

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Samantha Hahn's avatar

I love giving a cool vintage book, candles, or palo santo.

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Bridget FitzGibbons's avatar

I always love funky cocktail napkins or tea towel, a card & a pretty jar of my grandma’s secret fudge sauce.

I always just eat up your thoughtful & juicy balance of deep introspection, solid recos across all categories && writing style that always feels like a big hug.

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karla cobreiro's avatar

i love a hostess gift that feels indulgent but thoughtful — like a beautifully wrapped candle from a local maker, or a bottle of something they wouldn’t splurge on for themselves (think small-batch olive oil or a funky natural wine). always paired with a handwritten note.

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elaine's avatar

I wish I was in Montauk rn! I have brought some pretty cocktail (or fun ones depending on the recipient) napkins and fancy matches. Or sometimes pool towels wrapped in a beautiful ribbon. I also like to gift special treats: yummy coffee beans, Exotic Ice cream for friends that I know love ice cream, cool spices for those that are chefs... heading to Spain this weekend and maybe I will find some cool treasures there ;-)

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Rachelle Hruska MacPherson's avatar

we are heading to Spain too!! fun.. Love exotic ice cream btw. That's such a great gift!

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Jane's avatar

Loved this. Inspirational. What is needed now is just that.

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krissie's avatar

For dinner: a beautiful Mungo Itawuli dishtowel wrapped around a bottle of wine

For overnight: Either a Maira Kalman or Cleo Wade book, a basket of coffee + chocolates

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Shirley Jean Haney's avatar

Melissa Clark of the NYT suggested a person can bring gravy on Thanksgiving as there’s never enough and had a recipe for it, which I thought was brilliant

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Rachelle Hruska MacPherson's avatar

This is hysterical and so true.

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Mary's avatar

I have no friends nearby thus never have a need to think of hostess gifts, so this is just my imaginary go-to: vintage artsy ashtray for my really good friends, Italian silk dental floss for those I like less. If I was hosting, I would just want David Austin garden roses or fancy salt. 🙃

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SusannaAspen's avatar

Iranian saffron, white truffle in season, truffle salt for small events

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