Ina Garten Never Brings Wine or Flowers As a Hostess Gift—Here’s Why

Ina Garten started as the owner of a specialty food store, then shot to fame with her iconic Food Network cooking show. The Barefoot Contessa has shown us time and time again that she’s the ultimate host. Between regaling us with an endless list of recipes and showing us all the tips and tricks we need to entertain, no one is a better host—or guest—than Ina.

In a recent interview, Ina went in depth about how she likes to host and what she considers when she’s a guest. Most of us bring a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers as a gift for the host of a party. Ina finds that’s not her style, though, and explains exactly why she brings something else entirely.

Why does Ina skip the wine and flowers?

It’s all about being respectful to the host. Ina explains, “I always try and bring something that they can have the next day, but not something they feel compelled to serve during the meal.” Making sure the host is comfortable is important. You want to avoid bringing something they feel the need to serve during the party—that’s a lot of pressure!

What kind of hostess gift does Ina bring?

Instead, Ina opts for gifts like gourmet coffee beans or handmade granola. These items are a treat for the host, a respectful thank you, that they can enjoy the next morning after a busy night of hosting. Ina understands all the planning and execution that comes with being a seasoned host, and she implores us to think about what we’d like to receive as a gift. It adds a personal touch and lets our hosts know we’re thankful for their hard work.