I am part of a family of total cottage sluts – we will go where ever we are invited, happily – or used to, pre-becoming cottage owners once again this summer – and I am intimately aware of the time, work and effort that goes into hosting another family or families.
I love a good hostess gift and pride myself on being a generous guest – always and everywhere. I put a lot of thought into my gifts and consider the host personally in my selections. Here is my short list of favs:
Quality Rules
The cottage grocer is a survival store generally – basics to get you through a weekend. The one is Dwight is actually a total step up. I bought fleur de sel and excellent quality olive oil last week. Hooray. But as a rule, you can’t. Gourmet salts, fantastic olive oil, micro brew artisnal beer and chocolate make wonderful gifts for the foodie – especially those who transplant for the summer. We do miss the gourmet.
Crokinole, anyone?
We were recently gifted a lovely crokinole board which is kinda the all Canadian cottage game – right next to cribbage. Board and card games make great, easy to store and stack hostess gifts. Ask ahead to be sure you aren’t gifting a board game your host already has. Outdoor goodies like scoops, bocci or lawn bowling are also a blast.
Chip In – or at least offer
The cottage weekend is kinda the never ending dinner party – it can be three days, three meals a day. It isn’t the cost – it becomes the planning. I always offer to pick up a meal – prepare a complete lunch or dinner – or cover breakfast all together. To not have to think what you will serve is a complete delight.
Plastic Rules
I am always and forever short of great plastic serving pieces and have learned that these aren’t easy to come by. Plastic rules – around the deck and dock especially. Not too precious and crazy practical. Love.
Keep it Neutral
Unless you have visited the cottage before, I wouldn’t recommend getting anything that would suit a single décor – especially if it is an objet you expect to be on display.
And Nothing Living
Cut flowers are always great but plants and herbs and anything that needs to live outside is a no no. We have deer – everywhere – and they LOVE to eat anything we try to grow. And if your host isn’t up for the summer, anything living will inevitably die. A nice gesture but save it for a dinner party in the city.