17 November 2009

hostess gift ideas

the art of the mini gift. the best gifts are those that you feel giddy to give. waiting on the doorstep with a surprise (something sweet and yet practical) in your hand when she opens the door is the best of all.

most hostesses don't expect anything (unless you've promised your famed dish of candied yams), so showing up with a little something extra, especially for her, is a lovely way to start the evening with a well earned thank you to the party hosts.

just a few ideas to stock your gift shelf with.

philosophy fresh cream shower gel has just a hint of sweetness. honestly, it's my new favorite thing behind the curtain. it would be cute tied with a mini whisk.


the christmas candle. i like giving the scent of the season. a classic christmas mix cd is a good way to give the sound of the season too.


loan something you love. if the recipient is someone you're close to, give them something they're sure to get back. my sister amy brought this dvd set to me, hoping i'll love it. can't wait to break it out on snowy evenings this winter.


fingerless gloves. perfect for those on your list who work endlessly with flowers, knitting needles or on a keyboard. everyone needs to stay toasty while working into the wee hours.


the ramekin. no hostess should be without a set or two of pretty ramekins. i plan on tying my recipe card for mini molten cakes to this set to complete the package. you could also give them out individually, filled with candies and tied with tags.


a darling new scrubber. what hostess wouldn't want an extra doll on dish duty? a bottle of fancy williams sonoma dish liquid and a homemade coupon to help clean the kitchen after thanksgiving feast is devoured would be a most welcome addition to such a gift.


clementines and cinnamon sticks. a charming old fashioned favorite for your hostess to eat, to display or to slice up and simmer upon the stove in a pot of cider.

37 comments:

{natalie} said...

where did you find that cute four pack of ramekins?

all of you ideas are great. i might use some as neighbor gifts as well. thanks for always being inspiring!

ashley maureen said...

thanks for this great list. although hostess gifts seems so simple, they can be surprisingly difficult to put together at the last minute. i will definitely come back to this.

J, K, L, and D said...

How sweet! I love these ideas. And I love Pushing Daisies. So whimsical & a well-written show. I was sad when it was canceled.

Meg said...

Great ideas - you are welcome to my house for Christmas dinner anytime :)

Molly said...

Thanks for the great ideas!! You'll love Pushing Daisys, I was sad to see it end :( Have a great Tuesday chicky!!
~Molly P

Hil said...

great ideas marta! if only we could all be as creative/thoughtful as you, this world would be a better place.

Becca Groves said...

Classy and Simple and Thoughtful ideas. Thanks Marta. Each gift looks like a mini work of art. Lovely.

Melanie Anne said...

WHat lovely gift ideas! Thank you for sharing! Have I told you what a happy little spot of the internet I think this is?! I love your cheerful little blog! Hope you have a happy day!

[eeny] said...

Love gift ideas for people who don't really accept gifts. Yours are perfect, Marta.

DIY gifts are always great, too. My idea for this holiday season is to make some plum gingerbread jam decorated with a gingerbread man cookie and a nice tag. (If anyone is interested in the recipe just let me know, I'll be happy to send it to you)

By the way...I love Pushing Daisies. DVDs are on my wishlist :)

southern daze said...

You've inspired me yet again! These are awesome ideas and think they're the best "hostess gift ideas" I've seen. Thank you for providing such cute ideas! I've been relying heavily on my current fave (Sprinkles cupcake mix from WS & a matching spatula) and look forward to mixing it up this year!

lucinda snyder said...

great ideas marta! i love the clementine and cinnamon sticks.

Tiffany said...

I love these ideas! I'll be bookmarking this for sure!

Cassie said...

I am printing this post to keep to remind me in the future so that I do not rely on the flowers/wine I always end up standing at the door with.
Thank you for sharing.xx

sherry said...

Thank you for the gift ideas! I love the clementines with the cinnamon. I can only imagine the scent already.

katrina lauren said...

marta does it again! how sweet are these ideas...i am especially fond of the fingerless gloves (as i type away here with cold hands) and the clementines and cinnamon sticks are simply lovely! i love how you photograph your ideas...thanks for the inspiration! you're the best!
k

Andrea said...

These are wonderful ideas that I plan to put to good use. And the festive ribbons are just the right touch.

kh said...

marta, you are my hero! you have once again undoubtedly managed to amaze me with your genius creativity! THANK YOU! these ideas are scrumptious!

Anonymous said...

I love this website. I get lost in all of these pictures and beautiful things. Thank you!

Teresa

Unknown said...

Love the clementine and cinnamon idea. So cute yet so simple....

Thanks for the great ideas!

Deidra said...

I love Pushing Daisies. I got the DVD set for our anniversary (for our fourth, a twist on the traditional gift of "flowers"). I think this cold day, when our boiler is being replaced and the husband will be working late, is the perfect chance to indulge in more Chuck and Ned!

Thanks for the good list of gifts. People don't expect them, and it's always fun to see their surprise/ confusion as you hand over a hostess gift!

Jen Holtkamp said...

thanks for these great ideas!

the whyte house said...

so cute. that is my favorite part of the season..giving gifts to people who don't expect it.

pushing daisies--love it!

Amanda said...

Again you find some perfect items! Your blog never ceases to amaze me.

talesofahummingbird said...

perfect - now how to choose which to gift to the lovely thanksgiving day hostess??? i love them all, perhaps I should invite you to MY house. :) thank you for another classy, simple bit of perfection in the gift-giving category. you're the best.

Sweetly Sweet said...

That is so true! I will give gifts to the hostess from now on... and these ideas are just perfect!

Sweetly Sweet

Kristyn Knits said...

I love the anticipation of giving a surprise gift! And simple gifts are the best gifts. Thanks for sharing all your favorites!

Shirley said...

the gift of fruit to the hostess or really for any occasion is a VERY Chinese thing to do. that and a bag of candy too. my mom mostly brought oranges, tangerines, and the like. your mention of clementines as a gift reminded me of my mom's fruit-giving.

Travelin'Oma said...

I love my new dishwashing dolly. You are the queen of the mini-gift!

Anonymous said...

marta! i saw you on the ad for the new kirtsy book! WOW! your famous xoxo

summer said...

such a superb idea marta. i love each and every one of these little gift suggestions- thank you!

ps. i was introduced to pushing daisies while visiting CA last summer so it seems very cool-westcoast in my memories. only saw a couple episodes, but what i saw was terribly clever and fun. hope you love it!

michelle said...

Great ideas! I am in love with ramekins, and can never have enough. In addition to filling them with individual chocolate mousse portions and the like, my kids love to eat their little treats in them. Pour some marshmallows or chocolate chips or gummy bears in a ramekin and it is a special treat!

shirley elizabeth said...

I will have you know that I'm totally bringing my aunt some fresh cream body wash when we show up at her door in Idaho Wednesday night. Thanks for the inspiration!

Allen said...

While people may have different views still good things should always be appreciated. Yours is a nice blog. Liked it!!!

TheGoodWitch said...

Here's one for a busy mom w/ a sense of humor: Batter Blaster Organic pancakes in a can!
A friend brought one over on Thanksgiving, wrapped up in a wine bag. Ha!
We made some the next morning and the kids gobbled 'em up. Plus it was nice to not have any cleanup since the turkey pots and pans were still out.
Gotta love it!

Allison said...

Pushing Daisies! Oh, you are in for a treat.

Relyn Lawson said...

OK, you are so next on my dinner invitation list. ;^) Really great ideas..

HereBeDragons said...

Loooooove Pushing Daisies. Really need to break down and buy the DVDs so I can finally see how the series ends!

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