Summer Food Hostess Gift, Preferably Homemade (ingredients, undercooked, frozen, cake)

[gulfporter]

We're the new kids on the block and have been invited to a 4th of July party by neighbors. It's not a typical potluck or cookout; they are making a specific meal and have asked us not bring any part of the meal, other than BYOB. I have entertained a lot in the past so I 'get' that sometimes you just don't want other offerings when you have a meal plan set in stone.

However, we appreciate the invitation and would like to bring a homemade food item that is obviously for the host family for later (i.e., not intended as part of this meal).

We don't know these people (and they have kids). My usual go-to hostess food gifts are of the chocolate persuasion (truffles, bark), but it's just too hot in Central Florida right now to cart chocolates around. I thought about spiced nuts, but they have 2 young kids and it seems to me (based on other young families we know) there are lots of kids with nut allergies, so I'm passing on nuts.

I thought about homemade cookies, wrapping them in cellophane or putting in a jar, but that seems mundane???

Any ideas would be appreciated!

[Lodestar]

Chocolate truffles? You can be my dinner guest anytime!

How about a summer fruit centerpiece for them to eat later?

Or a frozen fruit dessert salad.

Or check online for no bake simple snack ideas and clever ways to package them.

[mainebrokerman]

bring over some venison, always a good choice

this has worked for me for 30 yrs, with new neighbors,,,
if you don't have venison, bring over some slightly undercooked chocolate chip cookies

[lubby]

How about a homemade bread that they can enjoy for breakfast??

[weezycom]

I was thinking a nice homemade (nut-free) granola would be a good gift

[apexgds]

You could do one of those layered cookie mixes in a jar that are so popular around Christmastime. All they have to do is add the wet ingredients, mix and bake.

[CSD610]

Originally Posted by gulfporter

We're the new kids on the block and have been invited to a 4th of July party by neighbors. It's not a typical potluck or cookout; they are making a specific meal and have asked us not bring any part of the meal, other than BYOB. I have entertained a lot in the past so I 'get' that sometimes you just don't want other offerings when you have a meal plan set in stone.

However, we appreciate the invitation and would like to bring a homemade food item that is obviously for the host family for later (i.e., not intended as part of this meal).

We don't know these people (and they have kids). My usual go-to hostess food gifts are of the chocolate persuasion (truffles, bark), but it's just too hot in Central Florida right now to cart chocolates around. I thought about spiced nuts, but they have 2 young kids and it seems to me (based on other young families we know) there are lots of kids with nut allergies, so I'm passing on nuts.

I thought about homemade cookies, wrapping them in cellophane or putting in a jar, but that seems mundane???

Any ideas would be appreciated!

How about an Angel Food Cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries dropped in the center?

[randomparent]

Originally Posted by lubby

How about a homemade bread that they can enjoy for breakfast??

Home-made quick bread for the morning after the party sounds like a great idea.

[weltschmerz]

Some home-made jam might be nice.

[CMichele]

How about a homemade waffle/pancake mixture in a jar with the instructions written on a label on the jar or on an index card? You could even include the entire recipe so that the family can enjoy this whenever they'd like it?

I have a tried and true recipe. Let me know if you want it. You premix the dry ingredients and then add the wet.

You could also do the summer sausage, cheese, cracker, and jam package. I have always loved those though I don't think they get the respect that they deserve.