Gift bags

by Anton Zuiker on April 28, 2026

Another text message from my local bookseller, Flyleaf Books, came in today saying my order of Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide was in. So, at the end of the day — after annual performance reviews for three of my colleagues, and a group meeting for a project I’m on — I drove over to retrieve two copies of the handbook. I also picked up a copy of the original book by Will Guidara, since I’d given away my last copy just yesterday. It must be over 10 copies that I’ve gifted, because this bestselling book is meaningful to me and I want others to be inspired by it, with the story of Eleven Madison Park and how Guidara and his team found ways, both simple and over the top, to acknowledge their restaurant’s guests.

I’d given that copy of Unreasonable Hospitality to a colleague yesterday at the end of our day-long team retreat. We’d spent the day looking back on a year’s goals and challenges and results and accomplishments. We’d also heard from a couple of the leaders with their historical perspectives and guidance on what’s important to focus on in the months ahead. I had prepared handwritten notes and gifts for each of my colleagues, and the two leaders. This is part of my goal for 2026 to become a better gift giver, inspired in part by Guidara but also Erin and Edwin and others in my circle.

“I like that you’ve reused gift bags, which we do at our house,” said one. I was about to hand her the bag with Unreasonable Hospitality. Perfect, I thought to myself, and out loud I said, “Yes, thanks for noticing! I dug into the box of bags at home and this is what was left.” I’d felt bad about the bags not matching or being pristine, but this comment and the team’s chuckles told me this was even better. I’ll probably write a version of this blog post into the notes pages of the handbook.

Oh, and I gave copies of The agile comms handbook to other members of the team.

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