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Morning Edition
Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

To bring or not to bring flowers for your Thanksgiving dinner host

Which festive plants are pet-friendly?

flowers on a dinner table
Flower designer Jo Oliver uses roses and other flowers to showcase a different color palette for autumn in her home on Oct. 21, 2019 in West River, Md.
Katherine Frey | The Washington Post via Getty Images

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Are flowers a good gift to bring your Thanksgiving meal host? The answer may depend on whether they’re already in a vase.

Longtime KARE-11 news anchor and flower photographer Diana Pierce asked her network that question. The author of the “Blooming” newsletter joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer with some curated opinions.

The consensus is that everyone loves a thoughtful gesture, but don’t make more work for the host.

“Make sure you have [the flowers] prearranged in a vase, so that the host doesn’t have to go scurrying around to find it, or even have it delivered in advance to avoid those last-minute tasks,” Pierce said. “The takeaway: bring joy without adding stress.”

Consider, too, whether there are pets who might delight in munching on a bouquet or if the host has allergies to any flora. Pierce suggests festive napkins, wine or a non-alcoholic beverage to share, or even a holiday ornament as alternatives to flowers.

Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the player button.