Whether you've been invited to a cocktail party or a weekend in Mammoth, making a gesture of gratitude by toting along a host or hostess gift is a smart move. Your nod to the more refined manners of generations past will not go unnoticed. Here's a sprinkling of SCV's best selections, and a few tips to help you out even more (we're really feeling quite generous).

Cocktail Party

Cocktail Party

The martini's popularity has reignited interest in cocktail parties. This set of cocktail cards features delicious recipes that can be tried out immediately, or, at the very least, will look nice on your host's bar. Place the cards in a high-quality gift bag complete with tissue for proper presentation. Gift bags are easy to open, reducing the "to-do" surrounding traditionally wrapped gifts. Guests should not insist that their hosts open the package immediately. Beescards cocktail cards, Propinquities (255-0229), $25

Formal Dinner

Formal Dinner

Sitting down to a multiple-course meal is quite a treat, so thank your host in advance by showing up with a favorite bottle of wine or, if the occasion calls for it, champagne. A great deal of time goes into planning a perfect menu, so if your hosts choose to serve the beverages they have pre-selected to accompany the meal, don't push for them to include the spirit you brought along. They'll enjoy it later and think fondly of you while doing so. Assorted spirits, Wine Savor (288-2980), $10 and below

Weekend Stay

Weekend Stay

How nice of them to invite you for an overnight visit! Before you leave, remove the linens from your bed and then return the duvet and pillows to their original position. You can offer to launder the linens, but if your offer is refused, fold them neatly and place them at the bottom of the bed. Give the bathroom you frequented a nice wipe down and leave a special gift for your hosts. These luxurious, royally-themed His and Hers personal care products will remind them that you appreciate the King and Queen putting you up in their castle. Queen Anne Stitches and Gifts (286-1248), $8 and up

Taking Time for Tea

Taking Time for Tea

Tea parties are experiencing a revival and are spanning generation gaps. Should you have the good fortune to receive an invitation to tea, don't arrive empty-handed. Don't arrive hungry, either. The fare at tea parties is usually very light, so have a small snack before you leave to avoid embarrassing tummy-growls. XOCHI tea towels with pot holders, Propinquities (255-0229), $14

Meet the Family

Meet the Family

A great impression can always be made with great flowers. Avoid causing a headache for your host by bringing a pre-made arrangement, not a bouquet. You'll save them the hassle of finding a vase, trimming the stems, adding the flower nutrients, disposing the cellophane... Bubble Arrangement, Charmaine's Florist (297-3100), $35 and up