Authentic Suburban Gourmet's Top 10 Hostess Gifts:
(1) Wine or Champagne
Bring your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay wrapped in a decorative wine bag or elegantly wrapped box of Veuve Clicquot with a satin ribbon. As the recipient, write the names of the people who gave you the wine or champagne and the date. When you uncork and enjoy, send a quick email or handwritten thank you note to let them know how much you enjoyed the gift. Just adds the extra special touch that most people forget to do.
(2) Candles
Keep a few extra candles in your gift closet that are wrapped in pretty paper with a gorgeous ribbon. You can shop for high-end brands such as: Diptyque, Fresh, Jo Malone, L’Occitane or Voluspa. A great tip for budget conscious Authentic Suburban Gourmet readers is to shop at TJ Maxx and stock up on great candles at a value.
(3) Handcrafted Gifts
It always adds the extra special touch when you give something handmade. These can display your culinary or artistic talents.
My “Surprise English Toffee” is a crowd pleaser and quite easy to put in a plastic gift bag tied with a pretty ribbon or beautiful tin canister. (See bottom left corner for photo and refer to “cookie/candy” category for recipe)
One dinner party, I wanted to create a unique place card holder, so I took four wine corks and hot glued them together. Glue three together, so they are vertical. Next glue the fourth one on top of the three. Put a small incision with a razor blade to hold the name card. They were such a hit; I packaged them with the name cards, four place cork place card holders and a small pen. Makes a terrific addition if you are bringing a bottle of wine. (See middle of the picture above)
(4) Personalized CD
Create your favorite imix on itunes and copy to a CD. You can create music to match the theme of the party if appropriate. Make it even more special by designing the CD cover to personalize it for the host and/or hostess.
(5) Flowers
As much as this is a traditional gift and thoughtful, the busy host/hostess may not have time to find a vase, cut stems, fill with water and arrange. If you decide to give flowers, have them already in a nice vase or have them delivered the day before from your favorite florist with a personal note.
(6) Diffuser
This gift keeps on giving with the lovely scent lasting for months, provided you “flip the sticks” every few days. I think these are such a wonderful gift and the hostess will always think of you as they pass by and smell the extrodinary scent. Can be found at TJ Maxx or high end retailers such as Neiman Marcus.
(7) Candy
A beautiful box of Godiva Chocolates or alike, is always a thoughtful gift.
(8) Gourmet Food
A lovely bottle of great olive oil, flavored vinegars, locally harvested honey, handcrafted jams or chutneys make a memorable gift that anyone would enjoy. Present it in a nice box, decorative bag or simply tie with a fabulous ribbon.
(9) Decorative Wine Stopper
These are widely available from your discount retailer to the small boutiques in town or local wine shops. Wrap in a beautiful box or decorative tin. Can give in conjunction with a bottle of wine or alone.
(10) Stationary
Keep a few boxes of unique and traditional boxes of stationary on hand to give as a host and/or hostess gift. The art of the personal note is alive and well.
