Were you taught to never go to someone's house empty handed? While Miss Manners says this isn't a rule per se (she's more of a thank-you-note-after kind of gal), a hostess gift is still a nice gesture. Especially after you've taken over someone's couch for a weekend, raided her fridge, and accidentally spilled wine on her formerly pristine sofa.

Now, your first thought may be to go the traditional (read: boring) route with your gift. You could buy a houseplant, but she'll feel guilty when it inevitably dies. Or a scented candle, but her bathroom's already full of them. Or perhaps a bottle of wine, but really, her couch can't take any more stains. A better option? One of these unique gift ideas.

We've scoured the Internet to find the best, most creative hostess gifts. There's something here for every occasion, from a co-worker's cousin's party where you barely know the hostess, to a weeklong stay at your best friend's house.

Of course, giving a stellar hostess gift is only one part of being a good guest. Miss Manners has a few other tips:

1. Offer to help clean any messes you make while there, but if the hostess insists on doing it herself, stay out of her way.
2. Don't overstay your welcome. If you simply dropped by, keep the visit to 20 minutes. If you came over for a meal, head out about a half hour after the meal.
3. On a longer visit, entertain yourself from time to time. Don't expect your hosts to constantly provide you with things to do; they would likely love a little peace and quiet while you visit a museum on your own.

To show your hostess with the mostest appreciation, stock up on these unique gift ideas -- then watch the invites to more parties start pouring in.