My partner and I were invited to Thanksgiving at a friend's. She has adamantly requested we not bring any food.

I also know (from experience) that she doesn't want us to bring anything that will compete with what she has done for the occasion, such as flowers. The family does drink wine, but their tastes are very refined and they don't appreciate wine that falls outside of their "realm" (and since I don't drink, I do not know anything about wine anyway).

Sigh. I'd like to bring them something as a thank you, but I'm sitting here clueless as to what wouldn't annoy them, lol. Any creative suggestions?

A box of candy....

Something I always liked to give for the holidays is a beautiful box of chocolates. I especially like the ones that are bottle shaped, foil covered and have different liquor and liqueurs in them. You can usually find them at a fine liquor/wine shop. This is unique and fun.

Gift certificate for their favourite store? Or maybe a voucher for a nice lunch somewhere?

If the woman hosting the party is this picky don't bring anything but yourself. I know it is customary to bring something in these situations, but they aren't making it easy. If you're set on bringing something perhaps a journal/notebook set that is purse sized.

Does she like to garden? Maybe some herbs or bulbs that she can plant?
Gift certificate for a restaurant she likes?
If she likes to travel, maybe a coffee table book of a place she likes?

Thank you for the suggestions. I like the liqueur chocolates idea...I might go that route. I was also thinking some notecards or stationary.

CanadianCutie, she probably would prefer I just show up empty-handed, but I have a hard time with that notion.

In that sort of situation.... If food, wine, and flowers are out... I pick out some sort of really beautiful "coffee table" book that I think my hosts will like... and give them that... Usually goes over well...

Seasonally scented candles? Wouldn't compete with the decor, but be for later.

Glad you liked the idea...these are what I bought. Very nice selection!http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2K0YBXI3RNEPN

Flowers - for sure. I beautiful bouquet in a vase they keep.

I like this idea. You can get some nice ones at Bed, Bath & Beyond or some specialty candle stores.

I'm not actually a fan of the chocolates/liqueur chocolates idea myself but you know the person better then I. I'm very picky about my chocolate though and if someone gave me something like that I'd probably try to find someone else to give it to.

Pears from Harry & David.
A hand-made mug or two, tea-ball and small amount of loose tea and/or fun selection of tea-bags.
1 lb of excellent coffee from a local coffee shop.
A small, hand-made lovely wooden cutting board.

However, wine is the perfect gift and giving wine at Thanksgiving is really easy. Beaujolais Nouveau always hits the stores JUST in time for Thanksgiving. It's a very young wine, intended for immediate drinking, perfectly affordable and absolutely in keeping with the season - it is a wine of the year, a harvest celebration, just like Thanksgiving.

Regardless of their tastes, it is a perfect wine to give at Thanksgiving. Wine Enthusiast has a great run down of this year's crop of beaujolais nouveau.

And if they don't want to drink it, they can always bathe in it.

Notecards/stationery is always nice. Tea, coffee, candles, a centerpiece of some kind...really whatever you bring she'll at least act happy about it so don't worry!