Dinner party faux pas? Ina Garten says this common gift is a big mistake (and what to bring instead)

Yahoo

01-06-2025

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If you're ever fortunate enough to have Ina Garten on your dinner party guest list, you shouldn't expect loose flowers when she walks through the door.
The Barefoot Contessa, who has set the standard for hosting from her East Hampton home, is no stranger to sharing formal dinner party advice. However, her most recent pearls of wisdom address a lesser-known area: Being the perfect guest.
During a recent interview with Today's Willie Geist on May 19, the pair discussed the importance of not bringing 'a gift that messes with the plan of the evening,' and, surprisingly to some, loose flowers are on Ina's banned list.
'There are two things that I don't think you should ever bring to a dinner party, and they're so common, is something that the host feels like they should serve. I mean, starting with Jell-O salad,' Ina says in the footage. 'And don't ever bring flowers that aren't in a vase. Everyone's arriving and then all of a sudden, you've got these flowers and you have to figure out what to do.'
What is the alternative? Ina isn't saying you can't gift flowers; she's just saying they shouldn't be loose. Therefore, buying a stunning vase for your host to hold their new flowers is the natural choice. To help, we've rounded up some of our favorites below. They're all beautiful in their own right, and ready to be decorated with anything from a simple stem to a bountiful bouquet.
Esteemed designer Jonathan Adler drew inspiration from Gala, wife and muse of Salvador Dali, to create this matte porcelain vase. It's truly a one-of-a-kind piece that deserves the most beautiful flowers.
From $350 at Saks Fifth Avenue
La DoubleJ enlisted the help of historic Verona-based porcelain maker Ancap to craft this statement pineapple-patterned vase. It's a vibrant way to upgrade any stem.
From $650 at Net-A-Porter
This large vase is a simple and elegant way to integrate glass into your entryway or coffee table. Add a single branch for an elevated, modern feel.
Was $32.99, Now $29.99 at Amazon
This may be named the 'fall vase,' but it looks beautiful at any point of the calendar, thanks to its unique textured design. The golden hue is reminiscent of leaves, consequently adding a touch of nature to every table setting or windowsill.
From $6.46 at Walmart
This decorative vase (handmade in Sydney) is made from 100% high-quality porcelain, perfect for housing your favorite flower. Poppies, peonies, or billy buttons look particularly beautiful in this vessel.
From $135 at Net-a-Porter
This simple, quietly luxurious vase comes from Ralph Lauren's 'Hudson' collection, defined by a carved plaid pattern that beautifully refracts light. It's designed with weighty, lead-free crystal and has a generous size perfect for holding long-stemmed flowers.
From $425 at Net-a-Porter
In a similar vein, Ina has previously shared dining table styling advice that helps hosts get the most out of their new flowers (and vessels). To create a stunning centerpiece, she recommends choosing one single flower type (in her case, pink roses), and filling your vases with this one consistent bloom. On her dining table, she avoids using larger vases and opts for small water glasses to keep things effortless.
''An easy tip for stylish centerpieces – choose one flower and use lots of them! And one more thing – instead of finding lots of matching vases for my flowers, I just use water glasses! Simple and elegant - my favorite combination,' Ina says.
However you style them, and whatever vase (or container you use), remember that, as long as the flowers aren't loose, you'll likely have Ina's approval.