While host or hostess gifts aren't obligatory, it's always nice to show your appreciation for all your host's hard work by bringing him or her a little gifty. Hostess gifts don't need to be lavish or elaborate. Instead, they should be small and thoughtful and are meant to be a token of your gratitude and affection.
When giving a hostess gift, the number one rule is to make it thoughtful. Try your best to tailor the gift to the personality of the person to whom you're giving it.
Is your host a writer? Get her a pretty journal. Does she love photography? Get her a small picture frame, so she can show off her work. Has she been dying to add a certain space puppy in a cactus suit to her collection? Then by all means, buy her one! The point is to show that, just as your host has devoted time and thought into feeding and entertaining a house full of guests, you also made a careful effort to show your gratitude for her kindness.
Don't know your host very well? No problem, just stick with some tried-and-true gifties that virtually any host will love.
1. Don't bring flowers.
Ok, this isn't a gift idea; it's more of a warning. While flowers seem like the perfect gift to bring a hostess, they're one of the worst. Rather than using her time to greet her guests and take care of any last minute details, your host will feel obliged to drop what she's doing and go off in search of a vase to fit your flowers. Once she finds one, she then has to go through all the hibiddy wibiddy of getting the flowers arranged into the vase, finding a place for the arrangement, and on and on and on. You get the point. By giving flowers, you might actually make your host feel more stressed than appreciated.
If you really want to give flowers, call you hostess ahead of time and see if she would like it if you had a small arrangement delivered to her home the morning of her soiree. Better yet, just send them the next day as a gorgeous "thank you" gift.
2. Wine is classic.
Wine is a classic hostess gift, but choosing the perfect bottle might be tricky and may require a little research on your part (here's a collection of great tips to get your started). If you have doubts about choosing the right wine, a good wine shop can be an excellent resource for helping you make your decision.
3. Candles don't have to be boring.
Candles are popular hostess gifts because they're easy, practical, and pretty. For minimum fuss, you can buy a fabby candle set.
However, one of the things that I really love about giving candles as gifts is that you can make them look really shi-shi-poo-poo without spending a lot of money. Just get a plain, inexpensive candle and glass holder. You can then make it special by pairing it up with some fancy matches and tying it all up with a pretty ribbon.
4. It's hard to go wrong with yummy treats.
Unless you know that your host hates sweets, candies or other types of sweet treats are almost guaranteed to please. Whether you spring for ginger wasabi truffles or almond toffee, skip the drugstore candy and go for extra special confections. If you have the time and talent, homemade cookies and candies also make a wonderful hostess gift when packaged in a pretty tin or box.
As always, let your budget as well as your knowledge of both your host and the nature of the party be your guide when choosing the perfect present.
What are your favorite hostess gifts to give? Or, if you find yourself getting hostess gifts, what are some of the favorites that you've received?
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