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Community Table from Epicurious

from Epicurious

Take your place at the table

Going to a party is a fun opportunity to spend time with friends. Going to a party is also a source of stress to those who are not good at picking out gifts for the host. If you are going to attend a higher-class party, you’ll need to have an appropriate gift. Don’t fret. We have a list of some great gift choices for you below.

Desserts

Assuming the party is not a pot luck, bringing food can send the wrong message, making it seem like you don’t trust the host to assemble a decent spread. Desserts are the convenient exception; few people will say no to extra sweets. Dessert is a big group, including pies, cakes, candy, and all other manner of delicious goods. You can go store-bought, or you can make your own, especially if you are known for a particular concoction among your friends. When picking out your dessert, consider both what kinds of desserts your host and friends like, and what kinds of things others might bring or make.

A Classy Bottle of Alcohol

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Image via Flickr by marniejoyce

It’s an exaggeration to say that there is no party without the alcohol — but not by much. Most adult social gatherings feature the presence of everyone’s favorite liquid social facilitator, and adding to the supply will typically earn you gratitude. That said, you should think carefully about what kind of drinks you bring. Generic beer and vodka might work for a college mixer, but a classier affair warrants ritzier refreshments. A bottle of scotch is the classic choice, letting your host and fellow guests know that you are a person of taste and discernment.

Glassware

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Image via Flickr by Muffet

A bottle of scotch is well and good, but without some nice glassware to drink it from, the gift would go to waste. Another classy gift appropriate for most social functions is glassware, such as wine or scotch glasses. Of course, high-end glassware can end up costing you more than the bottles you’ll pour into them, and may sit beyond your financial reach. Thankfully, you’ll probably be forgiven if you bring a less expensive set. Depending on the occasion, a local liquor store may have a gift set of alcohol and glass for an all-in-one gift; just make sure the drink is high-class enough for the occasion.

Stationery

Classy parties are sometimes the only opportunity people have to engage in the lost art of letter writing. There are invitations to send, notices for around the house to make, and thank-you notes to send to gift givers. Giving stationery is a great way to help your host by providing them with the raw materials for those notes. If you want a pricey gift, personalized stationery adds old world class to any letter; if your budget is more modest, plain stationery is a better bet than novelty or holiday themed items. Alternatively, make your own.

Of course, the best gifts are those that are personally meaningful, so if you can find one that evokes past good times, go with that. But if you need a place to start, you could do far worse than to look at the items above.

Hailey Robinson

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Hailey is a recent graduate with a degree in Journalism. Now that she isn't face first in books she is trying to travel as much as she can. She writes in her free time between fixing up her new house and teaching people how to live a longer, healthier life.