Stupid question, but...

As a hostess gift I don't think the price of the wine would bother me that much...it's just a token of appreciation IMO. They don't necessarily HAVE to get me anything. BUT, if it's a gift FOR me..like b-day or something, that would be pretty irritatating...I mean, come on! At least get me something that's a bare minimum gift card amount - like $10 or something! lol!

 

Yeah, Dh's boss at his old job gave him a bottle of wine for his b-day one year. Now this woman is LOADED and knows wine...and she gave us a $12 bottle of really mediocre Merlot. That was frustrating...it's like, "Glad you appreciate all my hard work!" :-P Mostly because she knows better I guess....

That's too funny! Yes, they are cheap - either because they are regifting, or because they can only be bothered to spend $7 on a bottle.

 

Seriously? The stuff I cook with costs more than that.

 

But no, you're not allowed to be bothered by it. Its the thought that counts.

 

You can always do what I do and the next time they invite you for dinner, just bring it along...

I think people who are not avid wine drinkers prefer the cheap stuff. maybe this was their favorite wine. The cheap stuff is usually sweeter and easier to drink. Before I had some good wine, my favorite wine was a $4 bottle of Lambrusco I had at the olive garden. I took it to lots of parties. The funny thing is, it would become the hostesses new favorite wine. I think it might have tasted like koolaid. I can't remember. I've also shown up at a party with a box of franzia, so you now how classy I am.

 

Anyway, I've had some good wine since then & sort of understand the difference, but I'm just not a wine drinker. But, I've become used to good beer & I totally understand why wine drinkers like good wine. When I was home for christmas, I had miller lite for the first time in a year. It felt like a waste of time to drink it. I spend as much for a 6 pack as I spent for a suitcase of beer in college. But its so much better.

 

Anyway, back to the topic. I wouldn't be upset about a $7 bottle. I tend to be Cheapy Mc. Cheaperton though. I also encourage my friends to be the same way. If we are getting together I don't care if people bring anything. Or if they bring a half eaten bag of chips, 3 beers someone left in their fridge, etc. And I also don't care if they take home leftovers. I don't like people to spend money out of guilt or fear of seaming cheap.

I guess I am going to sound snotty here but a gift is a gift. I would not be offended if I got a gift and found out later the person got a good deal on it. I know that not everyone has a lot of money. To us right now buying a $20 bottle of wine is out of the question.

That's not snotty at all! That's the right spirit to have

Yeah in the "real world" that wouldn't sound snotty but sometimes this forum is a little too "puppies and kittens" about some stuff.

LOL You're right, a gift is a gift, but I remember now who it's from and now that I've sobered up THAT's what's bothering me LOL

 

It wasn't half bad for a $7 bottle though...

 

It's too bad I didn't remember who it was from before I drank it...I would have toted it with me to their next "party" (aka an excuse to invite everyone i've ever associated with over to show off how many toys I own and rub in that I think I'm better than you are...even though I'm not)

 

I'm not bitter

I think it all depends b/c you can get some high quality wine for a low, low price ... IF you know what you are looking for.

 

But if it's a white elephant or something like that -- spend the friggin' amount you are supposed to and if you get a $6 bottle of wine, get 3-4 bottles to meet the $20 limit, or whatever, right? (although stepping up to the 420 would make more sense, lol).

 

There are some $20 bottles of wine that are no better than a $6 bottle ... so again, it really just depends.

 

But, yes, if someone brings me a bottle of wine, I don't want to see Mondavi or Beringer or another generic wine that you can get just anywhere.

 

Go to a wine store, tell them your price range and ask for an unusual but high quality wine in that range.

That doesn't sound like much of a party. I think I'm just lucky still being in the cheap-is-cool environment as a grad student. Around here people are proud of driving an old car, getting something for free, etc. We actually have parties where we swap clothes with each other & drink cheap wine. I can't stand being around people who are pretentious. I would probably skip that party if you get invited & stay at home & drink the bottle of wine you would have taken. The good stuff

Easy killer! haha...yes a gift is a gift and I was also raised not to question it or speak about it...lol I would never say anything but thank you to someone who gave me a gift because you never know why they chose it for you - money, what they thought you like, or giving you a bad gift just to spite you (sadly I know that happens too). But I sure can think it

Gosh this lady at my job gave me patchouli body oil & incense as a secret santa gift one year, and I hate that smell!!! She's all "Once you said you loved patchouli so I knew this was for you when I saw it" and I know I didn't say I like that stuff, it gives me a lump in my throat...but I thanked her just to be grateful. What was I supposed to say "No, you were wrong. That smells like ass and I won't use it" LOL How akward is that?