What do I take to a dinner party?

My husband and I have been invited to dinner at a co-worker's house. There are about 6 couples in total attending. The email invite sounded semi-formal, certainly not casual.



I asked the host if there was anything I could bring. The reply was, "No, I think my wife has everything taken care of." Normally, I would show up with a bottle of wine after that response. However, you don't show up at this particular house with wine. The husband is a wine connoisseur. He works part-time in a wine shop, and is the resident wine expert around the office.



Is it rude to show up empty-handed? The only other thing I can think of to bring is fresh flowers. Any other ideas?

What do I take to a dinner party?
take a bottle of crown royal
Reply:If you asked him and got an answer,don't feel anxious. Just go and enjoy yourself.
Reply:Why are you so pressed to bring something? You asked and were told everything is taken care of. These people may feel insulted that you STILL chose to bring something. Just go and enjoy yourself, you're good company is all I think you should bring!
Reply:Flowers are a nice gesture or perhaps a nice desert.
Reply:Bring both wine and flowers as it is always nice to be treated in that special way.

Men might shrug off the idea of bringing/or receiving a host/hostess gift, but Ladies don't listen. To bring something nice to a party shows that you are appreciative and thoughtful.
Reply:Take a centerpeice for the table, some flowers, or a bottle of a favorite liquer (Rasberry liquor with some vanilla ice cream...)
Reply:Bring a nice bouquet of flowers, a candle, a gift basket with some gourmet cocoa and cookies, or other little "hostess" gift. This is a nice way to show that you appreciate being invited to someones home. ---- It is not rude to not bring anything, because you are a guest. I know how you feel though. I hate going to someones house empty handed, even when I have been told I do not need to bring anything.
Reply:I suggest you take a nice arrangement of flowers. Stay away from liquor because like you said, he's a wine connoisseur. He may not like hard liquor.



Do not take a dessert. It may not pair well with the wine they have chosen for dinner/dessert.



One last suggestion, you may go to the shop where he works part-time, explain the situation to one of his fellow employees and see if they can suggest something from the shop that he likes or has been curious to try.
Reply:How about a bottle of the classic MD 20/20? Or everyones favorite, a stripper?
Reply:Woodford Reserve
Reply:I was going to suggest fresh flowers, as well. How could you go wrong with that?
Reply:I would ask again and say "Is it ok if I bring an appetizer?" That is a good thing to bring, because it doesn't interfere with a main course, you could even bring a dessert if you ask. Flowers are ok, but they are considered a faux pas by some, because the hostess has to stop and get a vase, or they might not match her decor, but i think that might work in this situation. No wine, chocolates maybe, if it's a nice brand in a box, like Godiva or something Belgian.
Reply:If he is a wine connoisseur, seems to me he would love the gesture of you bringing wine to his dinner.
Reply:Condoms, six couples and wine you never know what will happen!!!
Reply:Take the hostess a little gift in a nice gift bag. The gift could be a nice candle, some fun napkins, chocolates, or luxury soaps. (Bath and Body Works is a great place for this. Just a simple little gift says so much, and takes care of that awkward feeling of arriving empty handed.
Reply:Flowers or a plant would be nice. Fancy hand towels are nice, as would a bag of nice coffee or tea.



Do you know if your co-woker has a favorite wine? If so, there's nothing wrong with springing for a bottle of it.
Reply:Bring a couple of mangoes. I did that and it went down a treat.
Reply:he's probably tired of wine but since it's traditional i would go with the wine. Maybe one that is imported or goes really well with the dinner menu. Great conversation starter
Reply:Fresh flowers are a no-no. It forces the hostess to stop what she is doing to take the time to cut and place the flowers in the vase. She most likely already has a center piece, and if your flowers aren't in the same theme then you flowers are like the white elephant.



I don't think in this case it is rude to show up empty handed. You may want to contact the co-workers wife directly though, sounds like hubby wasn't' sure. You could also talk with the hubby and tongue-in-cheek ask him what one wine would bring to 'his' house for a dinner party, and then go pick up one of those.



You could also bring a nice box of chocolates or candy - the expensive stuff.
Reply:I love your idea of flowers. Usually you should not take a dish if they are hosting and tell you not to. Take the flowers, thats a lovely idea.
Reply:NEVER show up empty handed. EVER. If you can't bring wine, bring flowers, a cake or some other form of dessert that they won't feel bad putting aside for later, in case they've made a dessert of their own for the party.
Reply:A small box of gourmet chocolates from a specialty shop or candy shop, to give the hostess as a gift.
Reply:Give them something different, something you made yourself.



The flowers aren't a bad idea, but they are too generic.



If you gave them something that you made, they'd see the effort and the dedication you put in it, making the offer really special and heart warming. ^_^
Reply:Flowers are fine. And if he loves wine that much then do not worry about bringing some. People who love it that much love to find new types, or they love it even more when people don't know much about it and they can teach others. You can get them a nice bottle, and tell him you don't know what you are doing. He will love to tell you all about it and he will love you after that.

A few recommendations that I am sure he would love.

Ferrari Sarano (sp) Chardonnay

La Crema Chardonnay

Ruffine Chianti Classico Reserva, 97 would be wonderful, but any year would be great.

You will impress him with these, and it will be fun for him.

Have a great time. Bring a smile, some conversation, and a desire to get to know people and enjoy your self. That is the best guest to have at a party.

B
Reply:You should show up with something, and even though he is the "resident wine expert" doesn't mean you should be intimidated into not bringing a bottle of wine. Pick out something you love, or something you know he will like, and bring that. You could also bring a good bottle of a Port wine, it is a little different, and something that people enjoy on occasion.



Also, anyone can become a wine connoisseur today, just read "Wines for Dummies" and begin experimenting with different types.
Reply:Flowers are nice but there are many other things you can bring. A bottle of cordial, some cake, candy, a pretty candy dish. Think what you would like to get and that can be a help to you.
Reply:A box of very nice after dinner mints! something to sit down to with a glass of wine! its not to intrusive or over the top! and your contributing to the dinner! many times i have been to a dinner and had a lovely meal and dessert and sat down afterwards for a chat with a glass of wine in my hand and just needed something to top the evening off with! the after dinner mints are not to heavy and you can always fit one or two in no matter how full you are!
Reply:I found the most amazing greeting cards at Costco that just knock your socks off. I bought several boxes and use them as "hostess" gifts. People have thanked me over and over for the most wonderful and useful gift they've ever gotten - the cards truly are fantastic and between $14 and $15 a box - cards for every occasion. If you are crafty (really good at cardmaking) you could make some cards as a gift as well. Cards have come such a long way - especially those with really neat embellishments. Everyone needs cards one time or another