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With the holidays upon us, party season is in full swing, and you likely have found yourself scrounging around before a get together for an appropriate gift to give the hostess. While buying a gift for a good friend who is hosting a party is easy enough, things get a little trickier if you’re just a casual friend or acquaintance of the hostess and don’t know her individual tastes well. If you’re debating over what to bring a hostess, consider one of these top 10 hostess gifts to take to your next party:
- Wine – Bring a bottle or two, depending on the occasion and the size of the event. If you are joining another couple for dinner, then one bottle should be enough. Try to find a wine the compliments the meal if you know what you’ll be eating ahead of time. If you are going to a big party, it might be better to bring two different bottles, one red and one white.
- A jar of gourmet pumpkin butter – Gourmet, seasonal foods, like pumpkin butter, can be a great and unique gift to give to someone hosting a party. Specialty food items create a talking point if nothing else, and you may introduce your hostess to her new favorite seasonal find!
- Set of four glasses – There are always new styles of glassware coming out, and people don’t often buy new glasses if they already have some at home. Buying the hostess a set of four stemless martini glasses is a fun gift that she could use right away. Even if she doesn’t like martinis she can use them for serving desserts or as decorations.
- Wine charms – You can typically find wine charms in a wide range of prices, so you can determine how much you want to spend on the hostess and buy accordingly. Wine charms are quaint, and often can serve as fun conversation starters. If you are crafty you could make your own wine charms and place them in a gift box or jewel case for gift giving.
- Ceramic coasters – Coasters are useful, especially for parties, and it seems like you can never have too many. Finding some that reflect the hostess’ taste is somewhat important, so consider the types of things she likes. Does she love light houses? Do they drink wine? Buy good quality stone or ceramic coasters for the hostess.
- Selections of gourmet salts – Flavored sea salts are an ideal gift for the foodie hostess. These salts are interesting and would be fun for the hostess to play around with while she’s cooking.
- Nice hand lotion – Good quality hand lotion is something that most people would enjoy, and if you know a particular fragrance that she likes then a nice lotion can be the ideal gift. Otherwise, try to stay with a scent that is fruity or very mild so as not to adversely affect the hostess.
- Tin of organic tea leaves – Tea is another gift that tends to range in price as well, and tins of loose leaf tea are generally more expensive than a box of tea bags. Give a flavor of tea that you like and explain that you’d like to share your love of this tea with her.
- Flavored olive oil – Extra Virgin olive oil can get very expensive, so you will have to base your choice on your budget. People who enjoy making their own salad dressings or dipping bread in oil will enjoy a high quality flavored olive oil. Giving a loaf of French bread with it will allow the hostess to try it sooner rather than later.
- Guest soaps – Many handmade guest soaps are available in pretty packaging and would be suitable as a hostess gift. Giving a gift like this would be a nice gesture if you were spending the night with the hostess, but would also work for a dinner party.