5 hostess gift ideas

Holiday visiting season is very much upon us. And, in light of all of that present shopping burnout, you may have forgotten to pick up a few treats for the kind folks who will be hosting you.

And, really, it's no wonder. Hostess gifts can be tricky, so a lot of people end up opting for the old standbys of a bottle of wine (though Tommy Smythe, from Sarah's House, says even that can be dressed up and personalized with some help from a vintage mag - check out his tips here) or a scented candle. And, while those can be nice gifts, odds are your host will have a room full of them going into the new year.

So, here's my list of five hostess gifts that hopefully won't end up tucked away in the closet!

(Photo of chocolate shortbread cookies by Keith Beaty for the Toronto Star.)

1. Home baked goods. Whip up a batch of cookies, squares, biscotti or other goodies to hand out over the holidays. Dress them up in a pretty bowl wrapped in a dishtowel, and don't forget the recipe! Need some recipe ideas? Check out our Cookie a day calendar.

2. Hand soap and moisturizer duo. It looks pretty sitting next to the sink, and will certainly come in handy during all of that holiday food prep. I love the olive oil soap and hand cream duo, with bamboo holder, shown, from Fruits & Passions, $35.

3. Paul Smith for Evian water bottle. It's pretty, collectible and luxe - and cheap, too, with a suggested retail of $4.99 for a 750mL glass bottle. Available at gourmet retailers, it will dress up any holiday table, and is a great gift for the design savvy, or non-drinkers, on your list.

4. Ornaments. A sparkling bauble can be a lovely addition to your host's tree or mantel display. But - be warned - a whimsical ornament may not fit in with your friend's stylish silver and blue palette, so if you're not familiar with their decor style, it's best to skip this one. I love gifting these ornaments from Amos Pewter, $17, which are made near my hometown. 

5. Pretty serving ware. If you're going to run out of serving platters (or break them), it's likely to happen during the holidays. Look for a beautiful wood piece with a handcrafted look, like this Acacia platter, shown, from Crate&Barrel, $15, or on-trend hammered-metal trays.

And check out our Festive Guide for more holiday entertaining and gift ideas.

Comments

[Werbemittel]

Love this, thanks! Added to faves! :-)