DEAR ABBY: My husband was going to a meeting at the home of a fellow temple member. Because I was baking for a cookie exchange and had plenty available, I sent a lovely plate of cookies with him. The hostess thanked him, but didn't serve them. I'm fine with that. But as he was leaving, she presented him with the still-wrapped plate and said she "couldn't possibly" accept them. Is it me, or is that odd? -- COOKIE BAKER
DEAR COOKIE BAKER: Yes, I think it's odd -- unless the hostess or someone attending the meeting had a severe allergy to an ingredient that might have been in the cookies, such as nuts. While it was not unusual (or rude) to not use the gift of food in the meeting, it was odd to return it.