X is for Xenium

 When I was a little girl I loved to look at my grandmother's huge dictionary she had on a pedalstal, I loved when she would read me new words, I still love words... Although, sadly I am the worst speller you will ever meet. I was intreigd by my husbands use of words so much that I think that was one of the reasons I fell for him. He used older words I had not heard, that had so much more color than the words I use. None the less, I love words... SO i found it fitting to teach you all a word. Now, some of you don't know that I have been doing an A-Z challenge and I am on the letter X. My son and I collect alphabet books and I always feel cheated when I get to the bug page or the plant page or the reptile page and it's not a real name it's like X-ray. NOT fair, I want a real X word. This challenge has helped me expand upon my blogging ideas and posts. I wanted to teach Xenium because it means.. to give a host a gift for her hospitality and I was brought up to do just that, I love to do it and have so many good ideas and unique things to bring my host.

 

When should I bring a host or hostess gift?
Cocktail party
Host and Hostess gifts are completely optional for cocktail parties. But if you’re in a generous mood, a bottle of wine or a batch of blueberry muffins for the next morning—or, for the holidays, something seasonal, like an ornament—would be thoughtful. Be sure to enclose a  card so the host won’t wonder whose thought it was that counts.
Dinner party
Yes, bring a gift, but keep it simple and under $25. Anything that distracts the host may be a nuisance. A bottle of wine, a small potted plant, a flower arrangement already in a vase, candles, or soaps are better bets. Present the gift to your host when you arrive, or leave it on an entry way table if your host isn’t there to greet you.
Casual get together such as brunch
A gift is optional. You may choose instead to bring something to the meal—a side dish, dessert or drink. But ask: just showing up with a tray of Danish puts the host on the spot.
Overnight stay
A gift is mandatory. You can present the gift upon your arrival, during your stay, or after your exit. Consider giving your hosts something you note in the course of your visit that would be right for them, like a tray that goes with their color scheme. The longer the stay, the more expensive or elaborate the gift. For example, for a weekend stay, you may decide to send flowers. If you’ve stayed for three nights or more, a gift certificate to the host’s favorite spa or restaurant would be a good bet.
What do you give the host who has everything?
Everyone likes a thank-you. Even the simplest token can have an impact—flowers, homemade jam, or a batch of your fabulous chocolate cookies.
Should you send something if you're not attending?
There’s no need to send a gift to a host or hostess if you’re not attending the event.
If I call a host the next day to thank her, must I also send a note? Is an email acceptable?
A call the next day is always thoughtful. For a dinner party, a phone call is enough. For informal gatherings among close friends, either a call or an email is fine. But after an overnight visit, a handwritten note is the way to go.
If a dinner party guest brings me a special gift, should I acknowledge that thank-you gesture with a thank-you note?
A verbal thanks is sufficient. But if you didn’t get to thank your guests at the party, you do need either to call or to drop a short note so that your guest knows you received the gift.
If I bring a gift or a contribution to a dinner, do I still need to send a thank-you note afterward?
If you’ve brought a gift or contributed to dinner and said thanks verbally for a wonderful evening, a written note isn’t necessary.
Perfect Host and Hostess Gifts

• Bestselling book of interest to the host
• A fresh flower arrangement in a vase
• Hand towels for the powder room or beach towels for sunning
• Packages of cocktail napkins, perhaps with the host’s monogram
• Calendar for the coming year
• Bottle of liqueur or cognac the host is fond of
• Sturdy canvas tote bag
• Unusual kitchen tools such as a pasta lifter or egg separator for an avid cook
• A dozen golf balls for a golfer
• Set of nicely packaged herbs and spices or a selection of peppercorns (black, white, red, green)
• Picture frame, with a picture taken during your visit sent later
• Candles and informal candlesticks
• Houseplant in a simple yet decorative pot

 So that was my X post and I will be doing letter Y tomorrow.. can you guess what it might be????