We like to share ways to make the holidays a little easier by preparing ahead, and today I have some ideas for gifts that are nice to bring to a host or hostess. It is easy to pick up a few things ahead of time then you have them as needed, I know how often this can be an afterthought as you are rushing out the door to an event in the holiday craziness. In this post I am sharing some ideas for gifts I like to bring someone, along with some homemade ones you can make now to have on hand.
I am sharing simpler gifts, appropriate for a party or meal, and a few more elaborate ideas if you are thanking someone for hosting you as overnight guests. I think it’s always a good idea to bring something, maybe it’s the way I was raised, that you never show up empty-handed. Of course, the traditional gift of a bottle of wine is always welcome for most holiday events or when someone is hosting you for a meal or party. I think it’s nice to put a little spin on the presentation with a real ribbon and even a fancy gift bag.
To make life easy ahead of the holiday rush, stock up on this set of “Cheers” bags and pick up a few bottles of your favorite wine while you are out and about shopping. For an extra nice touch, order some pre-printed, personalized thank you cards, I ordered these. I like to use a fancy ribbon like this one too, which is also nice for wrapping gifts.
If you don’t want to bring wine (or a bottle of something), I think at the holidays an ornament is a very nice touch. I love hanging the ones that have been gifted to me at a special occasion, they make for a nice memory. Of course the options for ornaments are endless but I usually buy from here if it’s a gift. You can also order a set and break them up for individual gifts for economical hostess presents.
Another nice alternative to showing up with a bottle in hand is a bag of coffee. I shared this brand on my wellness website as it’s mold and toxin-free, so nice for a host or hostess who is very health focused. You can also include a pretty mug or two, this is my favorite place to buy them as gifts.
Since Thanksgiving is almost upon us, if you want to bring a gift to thank the hosts for having you for dinner, here are some ideas. I love food related gifts for a holiday that is all about food!
These charcuterie sets are so nice, they have the cheese knives built in and make it easy to store and transport. They come in a variety of sizes too.
Along the same lines, I included this pretty gold cheese knife set as a friend once gifted me some that are very similar (as a hostess present in fact) and I use them pretty much each time I entertain.
How cute is this dip bowl and spreader? MudPie has the cutest gifts, I love to give something like this maybe paired with a store-bought dip and some fancy crackers.
I have to include this pretty gold frame as I have it in my Amazon cart, saved for the next time I need a small gift. It’s so pretty, and frames are always welcome.
Another safe but welcome gift especially at the holidays is a nice set of napkins keeping in the theme. I opt for Caspari or Vietri, these turkey napkins are right on target for Thanksgiving, and the holiday guest towels are always useful in a powder room.
Over the years Christy has shared some wonderful ideas for homemade hostess gifts, which is an especially nice touch. Here are some of my favorites.
Bourbon Bacon Salt (I think this is also very nice for a male host)
Homemade Vanilla (this you need to start about six months ahead, so maybe for next year!), simply add Vanilla Beans (buy in bulk here) to good quality Vodka (I usally use Tito’s) in a glass bottle (you can get a set here) and store in a cool, dark place for about six months. Vanilla Extract for much less than the store.
Homemade Mustard Recipe with Printable Labels
Of course if you hostess doesn’t follow us already, you could have our Holiday Planner printed and wrap it up as a nice gift 🙂
If you don’t know your hostess well, you can’t go wrong with a holiday candle. My all-time favorites are Thymes Fraser Fir, which smells just like the freshest Christmas Tree should. I also love the Nest Birchwood Pine collection, they are pricey but they do last a long time and smell just delicious.
For more of a unique gift, I love these large slab notepads and these come with a zip code on it. These pads would be nice if you are a guest at someone’s vacation home but they are also just something fun you don’t see every day.
If you have favorite gifts that you like to share, please let us know in the comments!
XO
XO,
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