The Surprising Reasons Why Wine is a Bad Host Gift
Coy Cordials
You’ve been invited to a dinner party at your friend’s house. You want to show your appreciation and gratitude for their hospitality. You think, “What should I bring as a gift for them?” The first thing that comes to your mind is a bottle of wine. After all, wine is a classic and elegant choice, right?
Wrong.
Common? Yes. Good idea? No.
Wine may seem like a safe and easy option, but it is not actually a great gift to bring to your hosts. But before we get into why, let’s take a look at how wine became such a widespread and accepted host gift in the first place. Then, we have plenty of other more creative suggestions for you to bring to your next soiree.
The Rise and Fall of Wine as a Host Gift
The history of wine as a host gift goes back to ancient times, when wine was considered a sacred and valuable commodity. Wine was used for religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and medicinal purposes. Wine was also a symbol of wealth, status, and generosity. Giving wine to someone was a way of showing respect, gratitude, and friendship.
Going back to the Middle Ages, wine was rare and costly, especially in northern Europe. It came from southern regions, but was often impure or weak. Authorities taxed it heavily, making it more exclusive. Wine was a gift of honor, loyalty, and favor at that time. Then, wine became cheaper and better in the Renaissance, thanks to trade, commerce, and technology. It had more quality and variety, thanks to new grapes, regions, and techniques. It had artistic and cultural value, inspiring poets, painters, and philosophers. Wine was a gift of appreciation, admiration, and taste.
In the Modern Era, wine became more popular and common, thanks to global markets, cultures, and lifestyles. It was also varied and accessible, thanks to new producers, consumers, and styles. It was also fun and social, as it helped conversation, relaxation, and fun. Wine was a gift of friendship, hospitality, and etiquette.
So far so good it seems. Wine seems like a great gift for your host, right? But here’s where things go wrong. As we’ve turned the century, wine has faced increasing challenges and criticisms. First, everyone started showing up at parties with a random bottle of wine, often picked up without much thought to it. At the same time, research started to surface that wine is more harmful than healthy, and more and more people started embracing the NoLo trend or abstaining from alcohol for health, religious, or moral reasons (we see you, Gen Z). Wine as a gift was even seen as irresponsible by some groups and movements. Nowadays, wine is no longer considered a universal or acceptable gift for everyone. Wine as a host gift is simply too common, too easy, and too presumptuous.
Photo: CHUTTERSNAP
Wine: Why Avoid the Outdated Party Gift
Too common: Wine is no longer a rare or special gift. It is everywhere. You can find it in any supermarket, liquor store, or gas station. You can buy it for any occasion, any budget, or any taste. You can even order it online or get it delivered to your door. Wine has lost its uniqueness and charm. It is boring and predictable. No thanks - you want to be original!
Too personal: Wine is a very personal and subjective preference. What you like may not be what they like. You may end up bringing a wine that they are allergic to or just don’t like. You may bring a wine that they already have plenty of in their cellar, or show up with the same bottle as other guests have brought. No thanks - you want to be gracious!
Too easy: Wine is no longer a thoughtful or creative gift. It is lazy. You don’t have to put any effort or time into choosing or buying it. You don’t have to know anything about your host or their preferences. You don’t have to personalize or wrap it. You just grab the first bottle you see and go. Wine has lost its meaning and value. It is cheap and impersonal. No thanks - you want to be more unique!
Too presumptuous: Unless they are close enough friends that you know everything about them, you may not really know their situation. Wine is not a suitable gift for everyone. Your hosts may have health issues, religious beliefs, or personal reasons that prevent them from drinking alcohol - and yes, you may not even know about it. Or they may have guests or people in their home who are underage, pregnant, or recovering from addiction. No thanks - you want to be more considerate!
And please do not bring a host gift that you expect to be opened at the party. First off, it’s a gift - it’s not an addition to their menu for the evening. Second, You don’t know if your host has any plans or preferences for the beverages they plan to serve at their party or what pairs well with a menu they may have prepared. As mentioned, you don’t know for sure if your host likes or drinks wine. And last, you don’t know if your host has any guests who may have issues or objections with alcohol. Simply put, don’t bring wine. If you must, out of habit - then choose a zero proof or alcohol free wine because they likely won’t already have it and you can explain your thoughtfulness behind the gift (but pick one that you feel best resonates with their lifestyle!)
Looking for something to bring instead? We have you covered. Check out the Ultimate Guide to Party Gifts That Aren’t Wine and we are sure you’ll find something you’ll feel proud to bring to your next party.