TL;DR
Get kitchen staples and gadgets delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
A Good Housekeeping lifestyle article outlines three ways to make party guest gestures more personal: present host gifts thoughtfully, choose a home-related gift that suits the host, and mail a handwritten thank-you note after a formal occasion. The advice comes from etiquette and retail professionals cited by the publication; it is guidance, not a report of a new etiquette rule.
Good Housekeeping has published a guide to three design-conscious ways to thank party hosts, recommending thoughtful gift presentation, home-related gifts and handwritten notes after formal occasions. The advice, attributed to etiquette and retail professionals, frames familiar guest gestures as opportunities to reflect a host’s interests and show appreciation.
The first suggestion is to give standard host gifts a more considered presentation. Elyce Arons, co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, suggests placing olive oil in a festive wine bag, describing the approach as a way to make “an everyday item” feel beautiful and thoughtful. Etiquette expert Mariah Humbert offers another option: wrap a bottle of wine in a festive tea or dish towel. For homemade food, she suggests bringing it on a serving tray or plate purchased for the host rather than in a basic plastic container.
Small details can help a gift reach the host with its purpose clear. Megan Sommers, founder of Trudie, recommends attaching a gift tag in case a present is left on a table instead of handed directly to the host. The article also suggests choosing something for the home when the host enjoys decorating or updating their space. Alison Cheperdak, founder of Elevate Etiquette, names coffee-table books, matchbooks, hand soaps and lotions, and scented candles as possible choices.
The third idea is to mail a handwritten thank-you note after a more formal occasion, such as a dinner party. The article’s author recommends using a notecard rather than scrap paper. This suggestion is presented as a personal preference, alongside the broader advice from the named experts, rather than as a requirement for every invitation.
Small Gestures Show Host Appreciation
The recommendations focus on how a guest expresses thanks, not on buying an expensive present or following a newly announced etiquette standard. A thoughtful wrapper, a useful home gift or a note sent after the event can make appreciation feel more personal. The article links those choices to the host’s tastes and the formality of the occasion.
For readers planning seasonal visits, the practical point is to consider the recipient and the setting before choosing a token. A gift tag may prevent confusion if several presents are gathered together, while a thank-you note gives guests a way to recognize the time and effort involved in hosting. The source does not claim these actions guarantee future invitations.
Three Ideas for Party Season
The Good Housekeeping article is framed around the approach of fall party season and describes its suggestions as design-forward ways to build on basic guest etiquette. It draws on comments from four professionals: Arons, Humbert, Sommers and Cheperdak. Their examples cover gift presentation, selecting a home-related item and following up after a formal event.
The article also includes a first-person recommendation from its author, Sarah Lyon, for sending a handwritten note and choosing a notecard with a design she likes. That personal example is distinct from the quoted professional advice. The source does not cite research, survey findings or a formal etiquette authority establishing the suggestions as universal rules.
““an everyday item becomes something beautiful and thoughtful.””
— Elyce Arons, co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine
Advice Is Not a Formal Rule
The source offers practical opinions and examples, not evidence that every host expects a gift or handwritten note. It does not establish how common these practices are, whether hosts prefer one type of gift, or whether a note is expected after less formal gatherings. Readers may need to use their judgment based on the invitation, the relationship and the occasion.
Guests Can Adapt the Suggestions
The article does not announce a follow-up or an upcoming change in etiquette guidance. Its suggestions can be applied as guests prepare for fall gatherings: choose a suitable token, present it clearly, and consider a handwritten note after a more formal event. The source leaves the choice of gift and timing to the guest.
Key Questions
What are the three ways to be a more design-conscious party guest?
The guide recommends presenting a host gift thoughtfully, bringing a home-related gift suited to the host, and mailing a handwritten thank-you note after a formal occasion.
What are some suggested gifts for a host?
Examples in the article include olive oil, wine, homemade food brought on a serving tray, coffee-table books, matchbooks, hand soaps or lotions, and scented candles.
Does the article say a thank-you note is required after every party?
No. It recommends a handwritten note following more formal occasions, such as dinner parties, and presents this partly as the author’s personal preference. It does not set a universal requirement.
Who provided the advice in the article?
The article quotes Elyce Arons, Mariah Humbert, Megan Sommers and Alison Cheperdak, whose roles include retail leadership and etiquette work.
Source: rss
NFL season / tailgating Picks
team gear
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
