The title of this blog post probably confuses you – Erin’s suggesting something other than wine?! It’s true that bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party has been my go-to for ever. And I’m willing to bet that a lot of you have done the same thing. Why do we reach for a bottle of vino almost instinctively? I think it’s because it’s easy, fun, a lot of people enjoy it, you can make it personal, and a great bottle doesn’t have to be expensive so it can be pretty budget-friendly. Just remember that your host/hostess may not open it while you’re there, and you shouldn’t expect them to because it’s a gift.
(Bella thinks everything I do is something for her, but don’t worry…she doesn’t ever get served wine. She’s just really interested in what I’m doing and always has to be part of it. She’s so sweet like that!)
So what do you do if you don’t drink wine (or drink at all), or your host/hostess isn’t into wine either? Well, sorry. I don’t know any of those people. Just kidding! What if you’re just tired of bringing the same old thing to every dinner party and merely want to mix it up? What can you bring to a dinner party besides wine? My husband and I were invited to dinner at a friend’s home last weekend and for the first time we got a little creative in what we wanted to bring. “Why don’t we bring dessert,” my husband said. He recently started making a crème brûlée that is actually to die for, so I thought it was brilliant. It would be a way to show our appreciation and contribute to the meal. I texted my friend to see if this was ok and she was all for it. I think it’s a good idea to check with your host to make sure they aren’t already planning something else.
Why crème brûlée? Well it’s easy (according to my husband – remember, I’m a dope in the kitchen), and it’s fun! Everyone gets their own individual dessert and crème brûlée looks as pretty as it tastes. I also brought a selection of raspberries and blueberries to top them.
We brought the brûlée torch with us and everyone wanted to torch their own, which made for a fun ending to a fabulous meal. Now that I think about it, maybe a crème brûlée torch would be a fun gift. Everyone was going to Amazon to get their own after we all torched our desserts. Here’s the torch we have and it works great. It’s also under $12!
Ideas for What to Bring to a Dinner Party Besides Wine
Pre-made desserts from a local bakery like cookies or macarons – Perfect for the person who doesn’t cook at all. That’s probably what I would do if my husband wasn’t such a good chef.
Infused olive oils – The gift that keeps on giving for foodies and home chefs. Pair it with a fresh baguette.
A small set of organic teas – Last weekend our hosts offered hot tea as well as espresso when the meal concluded, and I often forget about tea as an alternative to coffee.
Flowers – A great non-edible gift. I would select a medium sized bouquet that doesn’t require any work other than adding water. I would feel too overwhelmed receiving a tulip bulb or something that looks like a green thumb is required to keep it alive (also a skill I don’t possess).
Candle – Stick with scents that are fresh, not sweet. Candles can be expensive, but this one is reasonable and even comes in a beautiful and reusable tin.
My Easy Dinner Party Outfit
Since we were going to a friend’s home, I opted for comfort. A great pair of jeans never lets me down and this Sanctuary top was perfect for the in-between winter/spring weather we’ve been having in San Antonio. Although as I’m typing this it’s only 30 degrees out. Clearly our weather doesn’t know what it’s doing. I paired this outfit with my favorite espadrille wedges that keep coming back in stock year after year. These are the BEST shoes I think I’ve ever had and I wear them constantly with everything. Completely worth the price.
Shop my outfit: Sanctuary top // Jeans // Espadrille wedges // Bamboo bag
What’s your go-to host or hostess gift, other than wine? As always, thank you so much for reading! I adore you!
xo – Erin
What to Bring to a Dinner Party Besides Wine appeared first on CathedralsandCafes.com. If you see this content published anywhere else, please email cathedralsandcafes@gmail.com.
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