What Should You Bring To A Dinner Party?

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So, you’ve been invited to a dinner party. Whether you’re meeting up with friends, coworkers or your new partner’s parents, it’s always nice to bring something to give to the host to show your gratitude. But what, exactly, should you bring? This list will give you a few ideas so you can be a gracious guest—and get invited back next time.

1. Wine

Perhaps the easiest—and most classic—gift to bring to a host of a dinner party is a bottle of wine. If you know what the host is planning on serving, you can pick out a bottle that will pair well with the food. (Ask an employee at a local wine shop for help if you’re not sure what will work well with the dish in question.) If you don’t know what your host is serving, a nice bottle of sparkling wine will almost always do the trick.

2. Non-alcoholic Beverages

Of course, not everyone drinks alcohol, so it’s always nice to bring along some non-alcoholic beverages to share (whether you imbibe or not). There are a slew of fancy canned mocktails on the market now if you’re looking for something easy to bring, or you can make a batch of homemade mocktails to share.

3. Freshly Baked Bread

Bringing drinks is nice, but if you’re looking for an alternative gift to give your host, you may want to consider baking a loaf of fresh bread. They can decide whether they want to serve it at the meal or save it for toast or sandwiches the next day. Not a bread baker yourself? No worries. Just pick up a nice loaf from a nearby bakery.

4. Flowers

You don’t technically have to bring anything edible at all. A bouquet of flowers makes for a beautiful gift for your host, and it can liven up the dinner party by adding a nice centerpiece to the table. Plus, the host will get to enjoy it for several days after the party, long after the guests have filtered out.

5. Olive Oil

A nice bottle of artisanal olive oil is an excellent gift for a host who loves to cook (as yours ostensibly does), and it’s easy to pick up at a specialty shop or even a grocery store. You’ll want to opt for a nicer bottle, as the quality level between different olive oil brands can vary considerably.

6. Dessert

With all the time they spent cooking dinner, your host may not have gotten around to making a dessert. Even if they did, who doesn’t want more dessert on the table? If you’re feeling ambitious, try baking some brownies or cookies. For those who are less oven-inclined, stopping by a grocery store or bakery for a cheesecake is a good option. A box of chocolates can also be a nice gift and doesn’t require your host to share with guests.

7. Gourmet Salt

Yes, there is a difference between different types of salt, and a prolific home cook will recognize that—and be grateful to receive a particularly nice container of salt. Maldon, a flaky finishing salt, is versatile and will work for most purposes.

8. Sparkling Water

Little details like sparkling water can take a dinner party from average to memorable, so it’s a great gift to bring your host. Bring two or three bottles, depending on how many people you’re dining with. Opting for a brand in an attractive glass bottle is an even nicer touch.

9. Coffee

It’s always nice to finish off a dinner party with a cup of coffee. Not only is it pleasant to sip on as you chat, it also marks the end of the night, signaling to guests that the time to leave is soon arriving. Why not bring some coffee to share? You may want to choose decaf for those who may be sensitive to caffeine after dark.

10. Good Conversation

And of course, the best thing you could bring to any dinner party is good conversation. Sharing your own interesting stories and anecdotes is important, sure, but so is asking plenty of questions to your host and the other guests. The best part? Genuine interest, active listening and a good sense of humor cost nothing.

Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.