Ina Garten Names the Worst Gift for a Dinner Party

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Ina Garten Names the Worst Gift for a Dinner Party

Ina Garten, renowned for her exceptional hosting skills, recently shared her insights on dinner party etiquette during an interview with Willie Geist. The conversation took place at City Winery at Pier 57 in New York City, where Garten highlighted two items that should never be brought to a dinner party.

What Not to Bring to a Dinner Party

According to Garten, guests should avoid bringing gifts that disrupt the evening’s plans. She mentioned two specific items that fall into this category:

  • Jell-O Salad: Garten humorously pointed out that a dish like Jell-O salad creates unnecessary challenges for the host.
  • Loose Flowers: She advised against bringing flowers that are not arranged in a vase, stating that it adds confusion for everyone involved.

Garten noted that guests often arrive with the best intentions, but certain gifts can complicate the hosting experience. Having an unprepared bouquet can lead to unexpected last-minute arrangements when guests arrive.

Previous Advice from Ina Garten

This is not the first time Garten has offered dinner party tips. In her past columns, she has addressed various topics, including the importance of cookware choices. She has openly shared her reservations about nonstick cookware, preferring alternative options.

Furthermore, Garten provided advice on how to handle late guests, suggesting that hosts should wait up to 30 minutes before making adjustments to the table settings. If the guests do not arrive in that timeframe, she recommends re-arranging their places discreetly.

Conclusion

With her wealth of experience, Ina Garten continues to be a reliable source for dinner party etiquette. Guests looking to impress should heed her advice and consider avoiding disruptive gifts such as Jell-O salad and unarranged flowers. This approach can help create a seamless and enjoyable evening for everyone involved.