tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post1323710999409752820..comments2024-03-29T05:18:36.107-07:00Comments on Home Living: The Hostess GiftLydiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-16971077678672135292008-01-05T12:27:00.000-08:002008-01-05T12:27:00.000-08:00Dear Lady Lydia,Thank you for constantly drawing o...Dear Lady Lydia,<BR/>Thank you for constantly drawing our attention to the virtuous ways that were so prevalent in the days of our grandmothers. Your article regarding the hostess gift reminds me of the rule of thumb that past generations also embraced: Never return a dish empty.<BR/><BR/>Warmly,<BR/>NancyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-11724893976182579992007-12-29T09:12:00.000-08:002007-12-29T09:12:00.000-08:00I wish I had seen this BEFORE Christmas. Honestly...I wish I had seen this BEFORE Christmas. Honestly, I have never experienced or heard of giving a gift to a hostess prior to this. <BR/><BR/>While many are stating that we do not want to grow up, etc. I will be 40 in a couple of months and wish I had known of such a tradition. Such a kind and lovely idea. <BR/><BR/>We entertain because we like to, not because we expect/want/desire people to Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-26374156730680098032007-12-28T17:39:00.000-08:002007-12-28T17:39:00.000-08:00I was blessed by your post and your blog. Thank yo...I was blessed by your post and your blog. Thank you for sharing from your heart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-15885275302792937582007-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:002007-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:00Mrs. B., since homeschool families often come fro...Mrs. B., since homeschool families often come from liberal schools and colleges, they do not always know how to go. Lacking home teaching and home training themselves, they sometimes try to pattern homeschooling after the public school methods, which have failed in many areas, largely the family. When they do not have the example of a mother running a home, they have to pick up what they can Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-33984928081247502442007-12-28T12:35:00.000-08:002007-12-28T12:35:00.000-08:00Lady Lydia, you said:It could be that they were in...Lady Lydia, you said:<BR/><BR/><I>It could be that they were indulged in their lives and everything was easy, <B>but they also spent most of their youth away from home. I do not see this same trend in the home school young adults who were immersed in the family and the home. Most of them are quite serious about life and love homemaking.</I></B><BR/><BR/>I think you've hit the proverbial nail on Cherish the Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334718202170470399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-15771699669713410382007-12-28T10:02:00.000-08:002007-12-28T10:02:00.000-08:00Mrs. B.I am going to do a little personal research...Mrs. B.<BR/><BR/>I am going to do a little personal research and inquire about the homes these children came from. I suspect, though, that even without research, we can figure it out. They've spent 12 years in public schools day in and day out, and they may have an unknown number of years in college. Education doesn't necessarily provide success in life. These children know how to get jobs but Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-12593047277216295152007-12-28T09:41:00.000-08:002007-12-28T09:41:00.000-08:00What a lovely post!--And the comments were excelle...What a lovely post!--And the comments were excellent as well. (o:<BR/><BR/>There is actually a name for this new phenomenon of adult kids who won't grow up...They're called 'Kid-ults'.<BR/><BR/>Lady Lydia, you said:<BR/><BR/><I>It is alarming that there are young women out there who do not want a home and furniture and nice things and they do not want to be good mothers who teach their little Cherish the Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334718202170470399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-73850026790764487152007-12-27T13:39:00.000-08:002007-12-27T13:39:00.000-08:00What a timely and wonderful article! When I have b...What a timely and wonderful article! When I have brought a hostess gift the recipient usually seems bewildered, I think because the practice is such a rarity these days. I loved the ideas you presented...especially the one of redoing a paint can! I would have never thought of that, but now I will repaint and decorate every one I can get my hands on, lol!<BR/><BR/>You are such a blessing:-)Diane Shifferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03449110271720365988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-16249443323826178742007-12-27T08:52:00.000-08:002007-12-27T08:52:00.000-08:00those who read my book about the life in the wilde...those who read my book about the life in the wilderness, "Just Breathing the Air" will know what I mean by "lilies." They were short stemmed waxy flowers like a huge magnolia, in white and yellow and sometimes pink. Mama floated them in a bowl of water for a centerpiece. I think it would be nice if every home had a cutting garden grown especially to make cut bouquets for people. Collect old Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-29761759242279347262007-12-27T08:45:00.000-08:002007-12-27T08:45:00.000-08:00Having grown up in a "practical" way, many young w...Having grown up in a "practical" way, many young women have not experienced receiving hostess gifts, such as candles, flowers, or other luxuries. They may neither understand nor care about the significance of receiving or bringing something. I do not think we have to bring something each time we see someone that we see often, but I do think that when visits are long between, or first time, we Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-34068850162109669952007-12-27T08:16:00.000-08:002007-12-27T08:16:00.000-08:00I totally agree with this post and many of the com...I totally agree with this post and many of the comments- bringing a hostess gift is a lovely gesture that has unfortunately gone by the wayside. I was raised always to bring a little something for the hostess when invited to someone's home. I also liked the you specified brining a vase of flowers and not just loose flowers. My mother always insisted on bringing pre-arranged flowers so that the Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04439056836570620413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-38375588141735047962007-12-27T04:23:00.000-08:002007-12-27T04:23:00.000-08:00There are few things nicer than receiving or givin...There are few things nicer than receiving or giving a hostess gift,flowers,chocolates,a nice bottle of wine or something for the kitchen.I always take some little present when visiting for afternoon tea or a meal.Also I often take a gift of our home produced free range eggs or fruit and vegetables from our garden.Homemade preserves are another good idea.Rosemary UKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11736660949097379171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-13703293484458686052007-12-27T00:28:00.000-08:002007-12-27T00:28:00.000-08:00In Australia it is traditional to bring something ...In Australia it is traditional to bring something along that will contribute to the meal being provided. If it is morning or afternoon tea I usually take home-baked goods of some kind, or at very least some bought biscuits (cookies). I might also take some produce from my garden, flowers, or some home-made jam.<BR/><BR/>When invited to a dinner party it is usual here to bring wine and somethingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-32446549675861902472007-12-26T18:35:00.000-08:002007-12-26T18:35:00.000-08:00Amen to this....I always come loaded down with eit...Amen to this....<BR/>I always come loaded down with either a gift for two...or extra food, helps....whatever....<BR/><BR/>and yes......I agree...the grown children situation, it was much easier when I could just ground them......<BR/><BR/>When we lived overseas..for 11 years...hospitality through our church friends was such a blessing and done all the time. We return to the states, and no one ~~Debyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03288057520112643825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-58677630362878019152007-12-26T11:45:00.000-08:002007-12-26T11:45:00.000-08:00Wonderful suggestions!Wonderful suggestions!Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-70535988864747098672007-12-26T10:45:00.000-08:002007-12-26T10:45:00.000-08:00Great ideas for hostess gifts. I agree that many ...Great ideas for hostess gifts. I agree that many people seemed to have forgotten this custom, as well as neglecting the "bread-and-butter" note after receiving hospitality.<BR/><BR/>Do you take a hostess gift if it's in the case of someone whose home you visit quite often, and they visit your home quite often? My solution has been to take a gift when I'm first invited to someone's house, and, Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429722263321739095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-80823189627215645652007-12-26T10:38:00.000-08:002007-12-26T10:38:00.000-08:00Dear Lady Lydia, I've not commented on your writin...Dear Lady Lydia, I've not commented on your writing before, but have been reading it for some time, and being inspired and spurred on by your words of encouragement to us ladies at home. I just love bringing a hostess gift when I visit others! Recently I hosted an appreciation brunch for a small group of lovely ladies with whom I have spent many hours in a weekly Bible study. One kind friend Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02224478477510925985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-41095844471922981222007-12-26T10:30:00.000-08:002007-12-26T10:30:00.000-08:00I enjoy taking at least a dessert or a bottle of w...I enjoy taking at least a dessert or a bottle of wine to someone's home if they have me over for dinner. One thing that does bother me, though, is that some people were never taught how to graciously <I>accept</I> a gift. They usually appreciate it, but then fall all over themselves being embarrassed that they didn't have one to give me in return. If it is truly a gift, then the giver does KTHunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00213755743092921221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-78492498990404675812007-12-26T10:21:00.000-08:002007-12-26T10:21:00.000-08:00Hello, Lady LydiaI really enjoy reading your blog....Hello, Lady Lydia<BR/><BR/>I really enjoy reading your blog. It transports me to a time that seems to be long since forgotten. <BR/><BR/>I am so glad that you posted on the topic of hostess gifts. This is a courtesy that I've learned from my mother-in-love.<BR/><BR/>She never visits anyone without putting together some sort of gift for the person that she is visiting. Whether it's fruit from fromThe Proverbs Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10950651949803175572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-24712935031288185252007-12-26T06:47:00.000-08:002007-12-26T06:47:00.000-08:00Even more horrifying is when Women who have given ...Even more horrifying is when Women who have given their whole lives to themselves and a career realize that now that they are retired they have nothing and no one. I had a friend who wanted to stay home like me but had spent over a decade in college and the debts were crippling her family. All so she could fulfill a "dream" that now left them with 30 of payments high as a mortgage. I told her Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-45035422071923679222007-12-25T19:13:00.000-08:002007-12-25T19:13:00.000-08:00I was very touched this past Friday evening when h...I was very touched this past Friday evening when hosting a Christmas supper and vespers in my home, that one lovely young lady, age 21, brought me a hostess gift, a bouquet of winter white flowers. She is a joy to know! A gem among the common.Elizabeth Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15407358802873480515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-39613223535835418682007-12-25T18:48:00.000-08:002007-12-25T18:48:00.000-08:00Dearest Lady Lydia,This is so true! It is getting ...Dearest Lady Lydia,<BR/><BR/>This is so true! It is getting to the point that the Boomer generation (of which my husband, family and many friends are) simply do not even wish to be shown hospitality. We have friends who see it all as just hard work for nothing that they refuse our offers of hospitality because they see it as such a burden and have forgotten the grace of simply accepting and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-21385851961132851272007-12-25T12:41:00.000-08:002007-12-25T12:41:00.000-08:00Ann, you could really contribute a lot on my Guard...Ann, you could really contribute a lot on my Guard the Home blog for parents of grown children. We talk a lot about how they need to honor their parents throughout their lives...that there is no age limit on that.<BR/><BR/>I regard to your comment, I was just leaning over the stove to check on something I was cooking and one of the little pans had a lid on it where I had put some sliced apples Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-15043051215685881082007-12-25T12:04:00.000-08:002007-12-25T12:04:00.000-08:00I agree, there seems to be an endless childhood go...I agree, there seems to be an endless childhood going on with many people these days. <BR/><BR/>People headings towards the age of 40 still wanting to act like teenagers. They don't want children or to get married because it might interfere with their "lives." And then they seek and seek for meaning in their lives by spending money: money on clothes, travel, restaurants, bars, yoga classes, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9186456.post-19866697730102569472007-12-25T11:00:00.000-08:002007-12-25T11:00:00.000-08:00Your comment is so right, and it makes me thing an...Your comment is so right, and it makes me thing an entire article needs to be written on the subject. It is alarming that there are young women out there who do not want a home and furniture and nice things and they do not want to be good mothers who teach their little ones to say their prayers and who make hot meals for them and clean house and make a safe environment at home for the children. Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530969871397361970noreply@blogger.com