One wants to look good, after all, but not too good. And it just wouldn't do to alienate an old schoolmate who broke the bank to get us a house plant by springing for a first edition of The Waste Land. This is where the good old bunch of flowers and box of chocolates formula used to come in handy. Today, however, such a trusty standby just won't cut it. No one does that here.
Flowers are for weddings, and funerals.
She eventually decided to put the unfortunate blossoms in the bathtub, where they wilted quietly for all of three hours before making a hasty exit via the escalier de service. Well, there's just no pleasing some people. One arbiter of taste regularly recycles her presents, redistributing bottles of perfume, scarves and other all-purpose gifts in the direction of less fortunate friends and family members. She has yet to return a gift to its original donor, but hope springs eternal. One perennial option is the candle, scented or otherwise.