It is a lovely gesture for someone to invite you to their home for the holidays.  You should thank them by giving them a gift that they won’t need to attend to when you give it to them. 

1) A special occasion coffee – perhaps Jamaican, Kona or something flavored for the holiday such as Pumpkin Spice or something apple or cinnamon flavored.

2) A box of chocolates

3) A bottle of champagne.  We love to have a champagne toast on Thanksgiving to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.

4) Send a centerpiece beforehand for them to use on Thanksgiving or send a Christmas themed centerpiece a few days afterwards.  Take their personal style into account and it is probably best to go with something simple rather than something bright orange or red – unless you know them well enough to know they would like those colors. 

5) Bring some cookies on a plain but elegant serving tray that are already arranged.  Don’t bring something that may clash with the rest of their serving trays.

6) Send them a gourmet cheesecake.  It will help with dessert and you can have it delivered directly to them.  Be sure to let them know to expect it.  Visit http://eclecticgrocer.com/cheesecakes.html for a great selection of holiday flavors.