Would you give a hostess gift to your grandma?

JCbride2015

Fi and I are traveling to FL on Friday, and we will be seeing each of our three grandmas while there.  One night with Fi's Grandma 1, one or two nights with my Grandma 2, then about a week with my Grandma 3.  Grandma 3 will also have another houseguest while we are there (enough bedrooms for everyone, but she has offered her own bedroom and of course we said no!)  Grandma 2 has also said she will "help" with our flights but has not said how much, or given us any money yet (per TK guidelines... we already bought flights we can afford, not counting on it until money in hand).

I was thinking it would be nice to bring little hostess gifts to thank our grandmas for having us.  Is this weird to do for your own family?  Is it too formal?  Should the gifts be different to reflect the length of the stay, or the fact that Grandma 2 might help with travel costs?  I was already planning to write a TY card to Grandma 2 if she does give us some money for the flights.

And if we decide it would be nice: any ideas for a nice hostess gift that is small enough to fly with, not expensive, and won't just end up as clutter? I have no clue about Fi's Grandma 1 (she has dementia), Grandma 2 likes candles and girly things, and Grandma 3 is very matter-of-fact and practical.

HisGirlFriday13

I think hostess gifts are always appropriate.

For the grandmother with dementia, could you buy a potted plant while you're there and give her that?

Candles can probably be packed as stowed luggage if you're checking bags.

Girlie-girl...lotion and soaps?

KytchynWitche

I agree with HisGirl.

My mom always taught me that you never show up empty-handed. It doesn't have to be anything major, it just has to be something.

Before my Dad went totally off the rails, FI and I would stay with him and BSCSM when we had stuff to do in the city. The first few times I took wine. Then I bought them some extra pillows for their guest room. When I went up by myself, I went by bus and didn't have room to take anything with me, so I baked lemon meringue pies while I was there. The last time we went, I took a hat for BSCSM, and a cell phone radiation blocker charm for my Dad. We ended up spending the last night of that trip at my sister's place because of BSCSM being BSC, so it wasn't planned and I just bought sis and FBIL supper.

lizandmark2014

I am in agreeance with giving a hostess gift is appropriate.

pumpkinsandturkeys

Definitely give hostess gifts.

Many people don't give them anymore, but I think they're always appropriate. I'm that person who never shows up to dinner without a bottle of wine.

AprilH81

You can buy flowers when you arrive, unless there are allergies those are always a nice surprise.  While you are visiting you can cook dinner for your Grandma one night (you buy the groceries).  Candles travel well...

JCbride2015

Great ideas everyone!  Maybe flowers would be a good choice for Fi's Grandma with dementia, because they're pretty but she won't have to take care of anything.