Common dinner party misstep: Ina Garten advises against gifting this popular item (and offers suggestions for suitable alternatives)
Ina Garten, famed as the Barefoot Contessa, offers advice on being a gracious dinner party guest, emphasizing the importance of avoiding gifts that could disrupt the host's planning. During an interview with Willie Geist of Today, she discussed the pitfalls of presenting loose flowers to a host, noting the inconvenience of having to arrange them upon arrival.
According to Garten, presents that the host feels compelled to serve, such as Jell-O salad, and unvased flowers are her major discouragements. She prefers gifts that make the host's life easier, not more complicated. As an alternative, Garten suggests bringing flowers already in vases, alleviating the host from the hassle of finding a vase, removing wrapping, and trimming stems.
In support of this advice, a selection of exquisite vases, appropriate for various styles and settings, has been curated. These pieces, ranging from Jonathan Adler's matte porcelain masterpiece inspired by Gala Dali, to La DoubleJ's vibrant pineapple-patterned vase, offer a wide array of choices for a perfect host gift.
Reflecting on previous dining table styling advice, Ina recommends selecting a single flower type for a striking centerpiece and using small water glasses instead of multiple vases for a sleek, effortless look.By sticking to this advice and placing flowers in vases, dinner party guests may find themselves approved by the celebrated chef.
Sources:[1] TODAY Show, "Ina Garten shares her secrets for the perfect evening," May 19, 2023[2] Homes & Gardens, "Ina Garten's definitive guide to setting a stunning dinner table," April 26, 2023[3] Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, official website, retrieved May 22, 2023.
Following the advice of Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, dinner party guests should aim to bring host gifts that make the host's life easier, not more complicated. As a thoughtful alternative to loose flowers, consider presenting flowers already in vases, alleviating the host from the hassle of finding a vase, removing wrapping, and trimming stems. This approach aligns with Ina's preference for gifts that complement her fashion-and-beauty styled dinner tables and home-and-garden settings.
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