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Monday, July 28, 2008
Do you come bearing gifts?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just returned from a New England vacation with my family that included lots of trips to friends we hadn’t seen in a long time. Some visits were just quick hellos while others included a meal or even an overnight stay.
As we hit the road going north towards Vermont, I realized I didn’t have house gifts for friends we were staying with and went scurrying to pick up something. Since we started our trip from the beach in New Jersey I bought saltwater taffy - an unexpected treat for landlocked locations.
By the time we were about to leave Vermont, I remembered I hadn’t gotten anything for people we were dropping by to see on the way back down to the beach. I hurriedly picked up some local maple syrup and jam, trying to stay one step ahead of our stopovers.
All this shopping got me wondering when it’s necessary to bring a gift and when it’s not needed. With friends I dine with frequently I’ll usually bring a bottle of wine or a dessert when invited for dinner, but there are times I walk out the door and realize I’m empty handed and it’s no big deal. I try to avoid getting locked into an endless cycle of having to bring something or thinking of something unique each time you get together. Not only is it exhausting to be that creative - it gets expensive!
Do you come always come bearing gifts or do you discriminate when and where it’s appropriate? What are your favorite ways to show appreciation without going broke?
For another perspective on this question, see The Hostile Host entry in the Social Butterfly blog.
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