These gift ideas seem alittle dumb. It's nice to give a little token but an Elvis, Nixon mouse pad, is just stupid. I would think people would come up with better ideas that are actully a thoughtful gift not a log vase that is really ugly, or the Wilhelmina mints . When giving a gift, thinking before buying seems to be a good idea. What would YOU like as a token for a well-planned dinner party? Those ideas given will probably be at next springs yard sale for fifty cents.

I was disappointed to read this article. These items will more then likely be put in the "free" pile at a yard sale.

NOTTA dumb just plain dumb

That list is the worse thing I have read. And I wouldnt even take these things from the free pile. It would be more like a donation to the goodwill store.

If I recieved these things I'd say thanks and sell it at my workplace version of EBay.

Yuck!

Give me a half pound candy bar and I'm happy.

I'd prefer the magnets, thanks.

You people have no sense of silliness. I think the mustache kit is a real keeper -- and who'd have guessed that you could find really absurd, yet eminently practical, gifts at the website for the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace?

Too bad I'm just seeing this now -- I have a party to go to in an hour, and they'll have to be content with a boring old nice bottle of wine.

"Some were a bit out of "Wastefulness and Useless Item's.But the Placemat's are a great Idea and would love to find some. Great Conversation piece. If you have money to waste on these item's..Get out Of yourself and Donate it to Charity, Your host would be more pleasedthan having to tell you Thanks and Not mean it...Get Real.

I agree with Cheryl. You folks have no sense of humor. I have a friend who would love to have the Elvis mousepad, and I think the log is kind of a fun place to put wildflowers or pussywillows or something of that kind. I certainly wouldn't put roses in it. but then I wouldn't take it as a gift to the boss's wife at their open house party. For the fun friend who has everything, these could be the answer. Get a grip and a sense of humor.

The nixon-elvis items are perfect. I'll be ordering something for my husband's christmas stocking as soon as he leaves the room. He believes that Nixon will be remembered as America's best president and he loves Elvis. Who knew these even existed?!?!?!

it's a joke, pinheads! these were hysterical......i was laughing out loud til i got to the comment section and only the uptight have posted...good grief......i'll now be shopping for a sense of humor for all of you scrooges......

I think it's true you need a sense of absurdity to give these items to someone as a hostess/host gift. Most importantly, though, you need to know the giftee has a sense of absurdity and would likely appreciate an offbeat, campy gift.

One of my oldest friends has no appreciation of whimsy and the term "off-beat" has probably never been used in connection with her name. I've learned she prefers traditional gifts, things that are easily understood in the context of popular culture, and that's what I get when I buy her a present. Sometimes I guess right, sometimes the gift is probably not a very big hit.

My friend, I suspect, does the same thing. She tries to find things for me that are imaginative and quirky, and some of the gifts have been outstanding and memorable, and I use them for years and think about her each time I do. Others are probably still hanging around a Goodwill somewhere, where I "regifted" them following a requisite period cluttering a closet.

I thought this would give me some helpful and delightful info on hostess gifts. Yuck. I wouldn't spend a dime on anything listed. Thanks so much.

I thought this would give me some helpful and delightful info on hostess gifts. Yuck. I wouldn't spend a dime on anything listed. Thanks so much.

They are hostess gifts - how boring can hostess gifts get?? Such fun and thanks for offering them - so what if they end up in the free stuff - most hostess gifts are just an afterthought on the way to the party w/o much planning - at least you need to plan/order these and not p/u at the grocery store on your way!!

I kNOW IF I WENT TO ALL THE TROUBLE TO PUT ON A DINNER PARTY AND IF SOMEONE BROUGHT ME ANY GIFT OTHER THAN THE TREE VASE i WOUDL BE INSULTED. AND ONLY THE TREE VASE IS OK BECAUSE I AM AN OUTDOORS PERSON. OTHER WISE I WOULD HAVE NO NEED FOR ANY OF IT AND IF I RECIEVED IT I WOULD THINK MY DINNER GUEST HAD REGIFTED SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE TO GOODWILL.

I try to go by the season/holiday. For a hostess gift for a small party, I gave a personalized ("The Smiths") kitchen towel with some fall leaves embroidered on it. Nice wine works for drinkers. You'd really have to know the hosts for them to appreciate an Elvis/mustache gift. I wouldn't want any of the gifts listen in the article.

the majority of the people commenting here are ginormous sticks-in-the-mud. these are the kind of people, if they would stop and think for a second, would realize that gatherings at their houses are boring and anal retentive. if i received any of these gifts, i would receive them with a huge smile and a laugh. this is a perfect example of people forgetting what fun actually is. remember when you were a kid and boogers were funny? think back and laugh. see? it's easy to laugh if you let yourself.

I think the gift ideas were fine....although, if I had compiled the list, the items would be a tad more bizarre. (Coming from a gal who owns a white Christmas tree with purple lights, RATS and BATS on it!) Live and let live folks! SMILE darn it! Loosen up! Getting older is mandatory......Growing up is optional!