I Use This 78-Year-Old Trick to Bring the Perfect Host Gift Every Time
A few years ago, I came across a clever housewarming gift on Instagram. It was a jar of honey with a note that said something to the extent of, “Honey, so that your memories may always be sweet.”
I had a housewarming party to attend that weekend so I grabbed some local honey and a wooden dipper, tied them with a ribbon, wrote the saying on a pretty tag, and brought that along with my standard bottle of wine.
It was a charming little addition that felt both functional and thoughtful, and, since that day, I’ve discovered that the poem is actually part of a larger reference to a moment in It’s a Wonderful Life. The 1946 movie (a holiday classic) is a beloved part of the cultural lexicon; one that’s been watched year after year by generations of sentimental families.
The movie offers more than tear-jerking moments and important life lessons, however — it also offers this gifting formula that never fails (it goes far beyond the honey!). And, whether you’re attending a holiday or housewarming party, here’s how you can make it work for any occasion.
What Is the It’s a Wonderful Life Gift Formula?
In the movie, George, the protagonist, and his wife, Mary, go to a housewarming party with a three-part gift in tow. The gift is accompanied by a poem.
“Bread, that this house may never know hunger,
Salt, that life may always have flavor,
And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever.”
Throughout the years, two additional lines have made their way into the poem, including the reference to honey where my familiarity with it started.
“Honey, that your memories may always be sweet,
Olive oil, that you may be blessed with health.”
In its original form, all the elements would be presented together in a basket with tags tied to each explaining the poem and its meaning. It’s a charming gift made up of items that nearly everyone uses or consumes, and they’re kitchen basics — you’re not leaving the recipient with an obscure single-use food ingredient that sounds intriguing but may end up in the back of their cabinet.
Why It’s the Perfect Gift for Everyone
What I love about this gift is that you can adapt it for any occasion. You don’t have to include all the items for a casual dinner party, and, instead, you can customize it for the recipient. Perhaps you’re headed over to a friend’s house for lunch. Bringing just the bread and honey might feel like the right move. Or, if you’re going to a dinner party, the olive oil and wine feel like a sophisticated interpretation. If the recipient doesn’t drink but loves to savor good bread, it may make sense to wrap up a crusty loaf and a small bottle of olive oil.
You can also think about how the poem could apply to other consumable items that might make sense for a gift. For example, you could give vinegar with a reference to its ability to bring brightness to a dish or peppermint candy alluding to keeping life fresh. Backyard eggs (one of the best housewarming gifts I’ve ever gotten!) could be incorporated with a clever saying about cracking open the best moments, or pepper to add spice to life.
This formula gives you the framework — you get to bring the creativity and the personal touch to a 78-year old poem.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
