I, for better or worse, tend to be a last minuter. I might have bought the gift for my friend a month ago, but five minutes before I have to leave for the birthday party, I’m feverishly wrapping it while choosing something to wear and putting on a final coat of mascara. Even worse is when I realize that I have the gift, but nothing to wrap it with, then panic really sets in (newspaper gift wrap anyone?). I have since solved this dilemma by never being without the means to wrap a gift.
When going to someone’s house for a dinner, party, or other event that they are hosting, it is always a nice gesture (and I personally feel necessary) to bring a host/hostess gift as a token of appreciation to show your gratitude for them planning and hosting the event.