Okay Fodorites, I have a challenge. I have been invited to a party where the hostess is a wonderful human being who does not drink, is retired and pretty much has everything she needs in life. What do I walk in with? Last time I came with Godiva's decaf coffee basket. (oh and yes, she does decaf for health's sake). I need something nice for this time and have no imagination. Help! Many thanks!

A bouquet of flowers or a plant in a nice pot? Cookies in a nice container?

This would be a good question to post on the Fodorite Lounge forum. To do that, use the drop down menu that says Change Forum on the upper left side of this page and click on Fodorite Lounge -- voila!

Similar questions have been asked and answered there, here are links to a couple that are not exactly the same, but have good answers:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34902590

and

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34900628

Hope this helps...
Debi

Scented candles make a nice gift.

If she does decaf, you might want to check out stashtea.com and get her a nice gift basket of decaf teas. These teas are really good and they have some really nice things. They always ship really fast too.

I love that I found your post here. I am not a fan of the new lounge.

How about a basket of amazing Olive Oil, Truffle Oil, Aged Balsamic, and some specialty pasta, maybe even some dried mushrooms. Oh I would love it, and you have a wide range on what you'd like to spend.

Good luck, and again, having these posts here, helps me to bother participating. Don't want to go to a chat room lounge. JMHO

What does "retired" have to do with it?

No one has everything they need in life. Some nice chocolates or other sweet. (Godiva is good). Even if she doesn't eat them herself, nice to pass around for guests.

At this time of year, a nice calendar for next year. A book! Maybe something you enjoyed or an interest she has. A travel book?

Last night I brought a lovely candle snuffer-decorative and useful.

Thank you all for the replies, as I said, my imagination is defunct right now. One of the reasons is because this wonderful lady is kind of like me, which is: will kill plants, see chocolates adhere to body before consumption and is kind of minimalist in decor. I really want to get her something she will use. I like the candle idea, I think she would probably use that if I got the right one. I also like the tea and pasta basket idea. Thanks so much for the input. Much appreciated. Ps. Retiree because she is so happily retired!

I too like finding the post here vs Lounge.

I think this is a dilema everyone faces this time of year or anytime you are a guest..

Food can be a problem as esp older people have food allergies restrictions etc.

I like to give travel magazines... something for everyone.

Conde Nast if event is upscale
Frommers Budget Travel for everyone on a budget
Coastal Living people who like the water
City or destinations ie Seattle, San Diego, France Monthly etc Magazines.

A really nice bar of bath soap in a ceramic soap dish.

A book of pretty postage stamps and a box of notecards.

Even the most elderly of my friends all have DVD players (or at least VCR players), yet most don't buy films. How about a nice movie that you're sure she'd like? Perhaps a classic.

Scented body lotion

(I'm big on ideas here -lol- because my family is recently all tried to give more gifts that get "used up" not sit around gathering dust)

What about a nice picture frame?
A photo album? Especially if she has a large family or travels.

Bath and Body Works have, liquid soap, bar soap, and hand lotion all in the same scent and they are wonderful!

As a side note, let me tell you that when my elderly mother died, what did I find in a couple of drawers?

Dozens of hand and body lotions, soaps, colognes, and similar things. She had her favorites and whenever someone gave her others, they went in the drawer.

Boxes of stationery. She was blind. What were they thinking?

Candles and poupourri. She hated them.

That said, not all people are alike.

Excellent insight Patrick!

It's back to the tried & true then...

flowers &/or chocolates
;-)

Gee, I forgot my main point of that last post. Also among the stuff I found was a video of "When Harry Met Sally" a gift from Mom's "girlfriends" when she left the condo for the "home". After mom died, I played that tape -- I hadn't watched it in years. Funny thing -- the Katz deli scene was very scratchy and unclear, then the tape cleared up again after it. I suddenly realized that mom must have played that tape over and over again -- rewinding to that scene -- her own little bit of "porno" in the "home". I'm only guessing what the other residents must have thought if they were listening at the door.