Host/Hostess gifts when going out of town?

This weekend, I'm flying to visit my friend in Baltimore. I'd like to bring her a small gift to express my gratitude for hosting me. Under normal circumstances, I'd opt for unique chocolates like Vosges. However, she doesn't have a sweet tooth and rarely craves chocolate. I know she likes wine, but who wants to carry that on-board these days? I'm curious to know what kind of interesting host/hostess gifts that you often bring. My fallback idea is a gift certificate for a book store or a San Francisco tour book since she and her boyfriend will be going out there later this month (know of any interesting books besides Fodors/Frommers?).

Hi,

Are you ultimately seeking a food idea or other? Cause really we are pretty much geared up for food suggestions here.

Regards,

Yes, food ideas please! Brilliant ideas for non-food items are always welcome too. Thank you!

My usual hostess gift for an out of town person is a box of Fannie May chocolates. Since that's not an option for you, how about a frozen Lou Malnati's pizza or some Vienna Hot Dogs?

Southport Grocery has some really excellent nut mixes that they roast and prepare themselves.

I actually gave someone who took care of my cat while I was on vacation a bag of their cashews that were spicy and sweet and she raved about them.

And while she may not have a sweet tooth -- bringing her an Affy Tapple might be fun and seasonal.

There are also a number of great bakeries in town -- Red Hen, etc., and you could pick up a great loaf of bread and bring it along. Bread is always welcome. You could couple a food gift with something to serve it in -- that always makes a fabulous gift.

Good luck!

Shan

I'll often bring a nice selection of hand-made chocolates from Belgian Chocolatier Piron.

Belgian Chocolatier Piron
509 Main Street
Evanston
847-864-5504

I like giving little kitchen gadgets that somebody would probably not buy for themselves. Since this person loves wine, why not some kind of wine accessory? You could give them a nice corkscrew, a bottle recorker, a wine thermometer, a set of wine charms or maybe a wine tote. Here is a site that has a bunch of that kind of wine related stuff:
http://www.iwawine.com/orstore/default.aspx

Oooh....dv43's post brings to mind the fact that Fox and Obel have a great little selection of kitchen gadgets that I've not seen anywhere else. They're not exactly cheap (if you step into Fox and Obel you might as well prepare to give up your paycheck) but they are awfully cool and unique. They have a whole display of Zyliss gadgets -- i wanted one of each! I ended up giving them to a friend as a wedding gift and she loves them.

Shannon

I can vouch that the Zyliss Garlic Press is a great thing to have in a kitchen (cause it actually works, unlike most garlic presses).
Jamie

In the past, I've sometimes brought a six pack of various Berghoff beers (available in Terminal C at O'Hare--don't know about Midway), but I bet the new restrictions make that a no-go. Too bad, because I'm in the same position this weekend. How about a selection of good cheeses from The Cheese Stands Alone? Or a care package from Red Hen bakery?

We have a nice young Italian girl staying with us, and she brought us some gifts from her parents (books about Florence, etc.) and we're sending back with her a selection of items from the Oak Park Farmer's Market: dried cherries, apples, and blueberries, a jar of Beeline Honey, stuff like that. The Wife will put it all in a nice box with origami ornaments; it will look great, and it will give the Florentines a taste of the Midwestern harvest.

I always like to give a gift box of spices from The Spice House in Evanston (also in Old Town), and the local flavor represented in their ethnic Chicago box is much appreciated, I've found. I guess you would have to include it in your checked luggage, though, but I bet they would pack it well for you at the store.

zingerman's has nice stuff, and it could be shipped directly to her:

www.zingermans.com

Off the wall and different would be live lobsters:

www.jameshooklobster.com

I can vouch for them as I used to work walking distance from their base and have had their crustaceans many times

Fox and Obel has many salts that I would love to recieve - including truffle salt, grey, pink, etc.

The Swedish museum in Andersonville has different kitchen utensils as well as beautiful, simple, linen aprons.

let us know what you decide!

Thank you for all the great ideas! I will definitely remember to reference this thread for future gift ideas.

I ended up ordering Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine, and Having Great Relationships. I thought it'd be a fun read. I'll be in the neighborhood of Fox & Obel on Thurs, so I'll pick up something there that she and her boyfriend can enjoy together. (He's the one w/the sweet tooth & enjoys cooking of the two of them.)