Flowers, a bottle of wine, a box of candy, even a potted plant—these are the gifts guests often choose to present to a gracious host, responding to an invitation.
My neighbor Mila offers both gifts when she comes to our house for lunch or supper. Mila Znakharchuk, an American who traces her ancestry to Belarus, the country north of Ukraine, practices this ritual to perfection. In fact, she overdoes it, reliably bringing two items. Here, I am holding a bouquet of pink roses; she had also given me a box of deluxe chocolates on the same occasion.
When we visited Ukraine years ago, my American friend, Kathy Gould, took me to a flower market to honor the family who was hosting us for an evening meal. Here I am purchasing orchids. Later I bought a box of Roshen chocolates from a vendor she knew well. You can read more about our Ukrainian experience HERE.
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Last week, I heard a female voice (probably that of Katherine Hill) on Symphony Hall, Sirius XM exclaim, “That was the best hostess gift ever!” She was speaking about Mozart who wrote Symphony # 36 during a stopover in the Austrian town of Linz.
Composer W.A. Mozart Wikipedia image
Returning back home to Vienna from Salzburg in late 1783, Mozart wrote to his father:
“On Tuesday November 4 I will give a concert in the theater, but, not having brought any Symphony with me, I am composing one at great speed, because I have to finish it by this date.”
Concert-goers may have thought this the symphony the best hostess gift ever—at least the most extreme, bequeathed by Mozart, esteemed even during his lifetime.
Mozart Sources: https://gianmariagriglio.com/
Here’s a musical sample to listen to:
Have you ever given (or received) an extreme gift?
Mila gifts Marian with huckleberry gummy bears from the Pacific Northwest
Good morning, Marian. Imagine a Mozart symphony as a gift!
You are such a thoughtful person. I imagine you always come with a gift–though you as a guest would be gift enough.
Your comment feels like a hostess gift, so complimentary. Thanks for starting us off again here, Merril! 😀
You’re very welcome, Marian. 😊
Wow! I’d say Mozart’s gift tops the list. Your neighbor is very gracious in her gift giving. But I’m sure she was inspired by your kindness.
I can’t think of a gift I’ve given that would be considered extreme. I would love to be able to compose a symphony or any other piece of music just like that! For hostess gifts, I usually give a bouquet of flowers.
Flowers are the best gift I think–unless you don’t have a vase. Ha!
Composing a symphony would be out of my league too–way, way out. 😀
I am listening to Mozart’s “hostess gift” right now. Amazing. We were just in Vienna and paid homage to the great composer in the city that claims him. What a gift he was to whole world, not just to one little town. We mortals, however, can leave our little marks on the world also. Every act of kindness and creativity matters. (BTW, we are entering a new age of gift-giving. Evidently this Microsoft Ad generated a lot of sound-alike messages on social media. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/everyday-ai/plan-a-fathers-day-celebration-with-ai)
You and Stewart are fortunate as globetrotters, then and now. We visited Austria in 2006 and saw the treasures of Vienna, but I also liked the smaller Salzburg, where we enjoyed a “Mozart” dinner concert.
I find AI both fascinating and annoying. Do I really need AI to help me plan a holiday? And do I want them “writing” blog descriptions on my behalf? Thanks, Shirley, for crafting meaningful replies. 😀
Nothing can top a Mozart symphony gift! I usually give a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. The closest extreme gift I’ve gotten was a gift bag filled with a little bottle of tequila, a lime, some salt, and a cute Mexican-themed glass. On the tag the giver had written in large letters: For The Hostess Only… after the party is over. Did I enjoy it? You betcha.
Thanks, Ally, for checking in with your own over-the-top hostess gift. I suspect your Margarita was worth the wait. 😀
How utterly creative of you to offer inspiring music in your blog post! Thank you!
Mozart’s gift is so original! It expands my thoughts—to choose unexpected gifts for others.
Kas, I’m glad you enjoyed the music today.
I believe congratulations are in order for your poetry publications. Readers, you can find links to her interactive poetry journals on her website: https://kassartori.com/ 😀
My sister-in-law is visiting from Texas and I invited her for lunch together with my other sisters. She brought a large pizza and a potted beautiful yellow begonia. Later in the evening I shared the pizza with my daughter and her husband who came over for a game of scrabble. The begonia is beautifying a corner of my deck. I remember Linda and her generosity whenever I look at it. Thanks for the Mozart music, which is playing as I write this. A wonderful gift!
I wonder if your sister-in-law’s pizza was eaten for lunch. Or, maybe you saved it.
Begonias are cheery, especially yellow ones. Thanks for commenting here, Elfrieda; I’m glad you have enjoyed the Mozart music.
Always lovely to receive chocolate, flowers, pot plant, wine. Years ago I was given a packet of paper napkins. Very odd I thought. But actually, it’s a lovely gift. Some paper napkins are especially pretty, almost too good to use. So I keep my eyes open and buy, to give, when the occasion arises. Also a luxury bar of soap for the hostess.
I enjoyed your post, thanks Marian. Lovely photos and Mozart link.
Boutique napkins are special and usually expensive — a lovely hostess gift. I would be happy to receive them. French- milled soap is also very nice.
Thank you for commenting, Susan. 😊
Marian, you are a wonderful gift giver and hostess. Here we are, visiting you and Cliff in your house and enjoying your hospitality and cooking efforts and YOU gave us a nice gift, the Happy Camper towel, which still has a prominent spot in our current camper. I wish I could add a photo of it here for you.
I love giving AND receiving gifts, but it’s not a big part of our lives to be honest. Usually, people have to do with something small. Or nothing, when we are really rude. To be honest, when I look around our camper, most decorations I see (and even a bunch of my clothes) have been gifts. Nice to remember everyone by. 🙂
When I saw the “Happy Camper” towel, I couldn’t resist! I’m glad you still have it. Here is the blog post where you can see the towel: https://marianbeaman.com/2020/01/22/meeting-liesbet-close-encounters-best-kind/
I don’t think you are being rude with giving or not giving gifts. Your friends understand your lifestyle and are happy to gift you with decorations, clothes–whatever. Thanks for showing up again here, Liesbet! 😀
I’ve heard of poems being composed for a hostess gift but never a whole symphony!
A whole symphony is truly over the top–waaay over the top! We marvel at Mozart, Beethoven, and other musicians’ talent, but I’ll bet they’d struggle with creating poetry or books. Thanks, Liz! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian! We each have our chosen mode of creative expression.
Yes, indeed!
I can not think of one gift that could outshine a Mozart symphony, but I wanted you to know that I decided to click the link and listen while I got ready this morning. It was lovely and a nice gift to give us! Thanks, Marian. 😊
Melanie, I’ve heard that classical music helps tame the brain waves. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks always for reading and adding to the conversation. 😀
I always try to think of some act of kindness or gift that I believe a host will appreciate when I stay with them. I’m going to be staying with a high school buddy for a couple of days in two weeks. We both like baseball, and I’m planning on treating him to a professional game with excellent seats while I’m visiting.
Your buddy will never forget this wildly generous gesture. Wow! But it sounds just like you. Thanks for sharing this, Pete! 😀
This is a lovely post, Marian. Gifting a symphony is quite unsurpassable
I agree, Robbie! Unsurpassable indeed! 😀
Now Mozart was definitely something different! I used to throw many dinner parties and had also been given some incredible hostess gifts. The possibilities are endless. 🙂
Debby, your writing reveals that you have a flair for life, and that of course would extend to hosting dinner parties. These are busy days for you; thank you for reading and commenting here. 😀
What a special hostess gift from Mozart…The most loved thank you hostess gift I ever gave was a tortoise …and a few years later Garry the tortoise is going strong and well loved..Those orchids you gifted were very lovely i’m sure the recipent loved them 🙂
A tortoise is unusual as a hostess gift–and you named him Garry. That’s a gift that keeps on giving. Ha! Thanks for sharing, Carol! 😀
I did know that she had been trying to get one as she had a tortoise as a child called Garry only thing is this tortoise is a she but called Garry…😀
Thanks for adding this interesting tidbit. I guess she wanted to keep her childhood “pet” alive in the tortoise she gifted you. !!!
Mozart himself is a gift to mankind from heaven, Marian! His music talent is imcomprehensible. Composing Symphony # 36 in 4 days is almost like writing a book of over 1,000 pages from scratch in 4 days ready for publication.
I received extreme gifts when I was a teacher. IN my first year of teaching, I had a Jamaican student in my kindergarten class. She had bright eyes and knew all the numbers and alphabet. I created individualized lessons for her. Her mother was so appreciative that she gave me crytal for Christmas and special occasions.
I had the first daughter again in second grade. I had the second and the third daughters in my classes also. I had all three girls identified to participate in the GATE program. Their mother continued to give me crystal whenever I had her daughter in my class. I bought a curio just for displaying the crystal she gave me. Years later, I found out their grandmother was a principal in Jamaica and that the mother graduated with honor in chemistry.
Miriam, your story is most inspiring. Those daughters were smart and receptive, and their mother so very generous. However, you obviously are a caring and dedicated teacher, and the girls and their mother sensed that.
As a teacher also, I received gifts and appreciation from students, young adults in a college setting. You know by experience, that teaching is such a very gratifying profession. 😀