A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to a party and asked to bring an appetizer. The Mister was out of town, and I went into a full panic. I ran out and bought a cute nut tray with separate compartments and then dashed to Whole Foods and bought an assortment of gourmet nuts and dark chocolate covered almonds. It was a hit! I walked out hands-free because I gifted the tray to my hostess.
An added note: it's much easier to make an Irish Exit while hands-free.
If you don't want to go to the trouble of filling a nut tray, just give a gourmet package of assorted nuts or candy.
My advice is to leave instructions to not open it until you are long gone. Who wants to be around a bunch of sugared-up hyper kids?
You'd rather have Fido chewing on a bone than your new designer purse.
Top-notch hand creams are also a nice thought.
How about a cute wine glass for the hostess along with some clever cocktail napkins?
Amazon
Amazon
I am always browsing the kitchen towel section in stores.
Don't tell the Mister, but I have a drawer full.
I brought this one to a party several weeks ago.
Amazon
A few years and states ago, my neighbor renovated her kitchen in my favorite color combo - blue and white. I bought a ceramic basket like this one and filled it with blue kitchen towels and gave it to her at her Kitchen Coming-Out party.
I got a text from my pal a few weeks ago. She sent me a photo of the basket that still resides on her counter. She told me every time she looks at it, she thinks of me. That could be a good or bad thing.
Tell the hostess that the chips are on her.
Stonewall Kitchen products always make a nice gift.
She may get the hint that you would appreciate some freshly-baked muffins in the AM.
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I enjoy giving pretty pitchers as a memento. If the Mister is driving to the party, I like to throw some flowers into it. I've learned from experience that a vase of flowers and driving do not mix.
By the way, I have a couple of the above pitchers and keep them on the table filled with water and sliced lemons during dinner parties.
Amazon
Amazon
Did your hostess just have a new pool put in?
How about a fun float?
Btw... yes that is me.
Weight Watchers is amazing.
Amazon
Another idea for the hostess is a cute beach bag.
Amazon
And you can fill it with fun things like a water bottle.
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
A newly-released novel is also a fun beach bag stuffer.
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
If your hostess is the consummate entertainer, one of these gorgeous coffee table books or cookbooks is sure to make her boat float.
Amazon
If all else fails, you can always give your host a guest book for her powder room. There's a pretty good chance that she doesn't already own one.
I'd love to hear your ideas.
What is the best hostess gift that you either gave or received?
Until next time...
Home & Garden Thursday
Creative Inspirations
Wonderful Wednesday
Love these ideas. I need a few hostess gifts and you showed so many good choices. I'm off to check them out right now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! You outdid yourself this time!I got some great ideas here and also added to my "must read" list. Didn't realize Dorothea Benton Frank had a new book out. I was lucky enough to meet her in person a few years ago. Delightful lady.
ReplyDeleteHave a great upcoming weekend. xo Diana
Katie you give wonderful hostess gifts. I am inviting you to Alabama!!
ReplyDeleteSo creative! I usually default to the boring bottle of wine.
ReplyDeleteAlso...can't wait to see what you're up to this weekend.
DeleteA bottle of wine is never boring! :-)
DeleteGreat suggestions. I try to keep a hostess gift drawer for unexpected times. It is also an excuse for buying things I like when out and about, but have no reason to buy for myself. Have a fun weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou are so full of great ideas! I keep an array of hostess gifts too and it makes it so easy to grab and go, after, of course, wrapping all cutesy. Happy weekend Katie!
ReplyDeleteNow I need to go look at the link for many of these! Thanks for always showing us such great ideas, Katie!! xox
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is a sponsored (by Amazon) post? Lots of us small business owners would rather people buy their water pitchers, hostess trays, kitchen towels, etc from a local store.
ReplyDeleteI love taking hostess gifts! These are so fun. I love the idea of taking something on a pretty tray and letting the hostess keep it! Kate Spade towels are so fun. You are the hostess with the mostess so you deserve these all!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, thanks! I may use 1 or 3 of those in June.
ReplyDeleteYour Memorial weekend looked fantastic. I hope Chowdah has come out of the funk inevitably left when MC departed.
Happy Friday!
Great ideas for gift giving! I always keep extra scented candles, lovely soaps, and tea towels for hostess gifts or just a little I am thinking of you. Have a wonderful weekend, Katie!
ReplyDeleteYou may be a guest at my home any time. And any one of these would be just lovely, thank you!
ReplyDeleteA great selection of hostess gifts. I would be happy to give or receive any of these! Happy weekend......
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adore your wine-bottle-wrapped-in-dishtowel hostess gift idea! I’ll be borrowing it! xo
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of wrapping the wine bottle with a cute dish towel!
ReplyDeleteI love some of the ideas shown here. I think a hostess with a dog would love the glass jar of treats for her pup.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas Katie, I love Mud Pie stuff and have that dessert server! Now I need that unicorn float! 😂
ReplyDeleteJenna
What cute ideas, love them all. x Jacqui Mummabstylish
ReplyDeleteCute ideas! Especially love the dish towel tied around the wine bottle. I’d be happy if somebody brought that to me! 🍷
ReplyDeleteGreat Hostess ideas. Some make you bust up laughing. happy summer.
ReplyDelete