Creative Hostess Gifts

via peoplesworld.com 

I often wonder what hostess gifts looked like in the early 1900's. Do you think people brought chickens or moonshine to their family gatherings? I'm thinkin', yeah... yeah they did. And frankly I'd be happy with a healthy chicken or jug of moonshine! Imagine fresh eggs and a hearty shot everyday. 
But in our modern age, wine will do and is definitely a favourite hostess gift for most people (although I hear chickens are making a comeback!). It's quick and easy and doesn't have to cost a lot to be great.

Hostess gifts are the norm. Most people bring a gift when attending a friends dinner party or back yard bbq. It's a way of saying 'thanks for the invitation.' And it's easy to get creative, especially if you know your hosts.

via art.com

Flowers

Flowers are great! They look good, many smell wonderful, and they're a pretty addition for anyone's dining table or kitchen island. To personalize them, put your blooms into a pretty vase, or get creative and use a decorative water pitcher. Fresh flowers or lavender straight from your garden presented in an antique mason jar would be very special.

Potluck Keepsake

The invitation asks you to contribute to the buffet, so why not bring a plate of hor deurves or desserts on a gorgeous platter that doubles as a thank you gift for your host or hostess? You could bring fresh cheeses on a cheese board or a country loaf with balsamic and olive oil dipper in hand crafted pottery - again all meant to be kept as a gift.

Candles

Hand rolled beeswax tapers or mini tin candles for the powder room make a nice hostess gift. A pretty mosaic votive or hurricane with a scented candle is a wonderful gift.

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Sensuous Bath Products

Always a fashionable hostess gift for girls wine & cheese night or a luncheon. Our favourite line is Lollia Bath Products (coming to The Willows in August!). And if they're good enough for Oprah...

Books & Journals

A salsa cook book for gourmet night or a wine journal for the closet sommelier would be well received by your host or hostess.

Gourmet Delights

Everything from gourmet chocolates and coffee to an assortment of flavoured salts or specialty herbs. Fresh potted herbs are also a thoughtful gift for the practicing chef.

And for those on their way over to my place, please remember the moon shine! But if the still's broken down, a chicken or a Lollia Calm Sea Salt Sachet will do just fine.

Enjoy,

Terri