My mama always said “NEVER show up empty handed to a party”. Oh Cindy! You’re so wise.
And if I was a bettin’ woman, chances are you’ve got a full social calendar right now.
We ALWAYS give and receive bottles of wine – but wouldn’t it be nice to get something different?! Last year we hosted a dinner party and my friend, Kelly, gifted me a cookbook on my christmas list. I’ll never forget it.
So to help save you time, I’d like to propose buying your hostess gifts upfront and plan in bulk! By prepping ahead, you can grab and go and be the perfect party guest that ever lived. Not to mention have more time to get that perfect holiday hair.
To make it easy, Cindy and I whipped up 9 simple suggestions that are easy and unique. Great price points too. Now come on. Let’s take a gander, shall we?
9 EASY HOSTESS GIFTS YOU CAN KEEP ON HAND
SOMETHING TO GO WITH THEIR MORNING COFFEE
After a long night, a tasty treat for the next morning will make your hosts’ day. We LOVE Nothing Bundt Cakes and they’re everywhere! Buy a dozen mini bundts, wrap in pairs with cellophane and freeze. While you’re getting ready, simply remove from the freezer to de-thaw (only takes a 10 minutes). A sleeve of cookies, coffee cakes and doughnuts do the trick too. But we like LOVE the bundts! Tip: Tuck a festive cake tester in the bow for a fun surprise.
BREAKFAST IN BED
Your hosts have planned a full night, the last thing they want to do is make breakfast. They’ll love this homemade pancake mix (just add milk and eggs), paired with REAL maple syrup. Wrap in a basket for the perfect presentation. Festive spatulas and dish towels add a nice touch. Yummy!
GO CASUAL
A six pack of your hosts favorite beer is something a little bit different from the typical bottle of wine. Especially for the men in your life! Add this cheery jingle bell bottle opener for an extra surprise. {Which is sadly sold out but found this one too!}
SOMETHING THEY DON’T HAVE
Kringle is a Christmas morning tradition in my family. It’s a Wisconsin pastry that’s absolutely delicious and we eat it for breakfast Christmas Day! But how fun is this Kringle Cream liquor? Similar to a Bailey’s, it adds some holiday cheer to any host’s bar cart and makes for a nice evening dessert! TIP: Add these festive wreaths to the neck for a one second gift wrap!
SPRUCE UP THAT BOTTLE OF WINE
Wine will always be a go to. But why not dress it up a little? Tie a nice holiday linen dish towel around the bottle and they’ll notice you went the extra mile!
PARTY IN A BOX WITH ZERO CLEAN UP!
This is so fun and quite unexpected! Tie up some festive paper plates, napkins, decor, etc. They’re perfect for your host to keep on hand throughout the season (even after New Years). Guests are always popping by this time of year. Not only are they festive but what they’ll really appreciate is the zero clean up!
DON’T FORGET THE FUR BABIES!
Dog owners love their fur children. So why not spoil them too? Larry goes crazy over these (they’re secretly a tennis ball – his fave). And there are all kinds of holiday options! Makes for a good stocking stuffer too.
A TREAT FOR THE ENTIRE FAM
Apple mulled cider. A yummy apple juice paired with this mulling spice is such a treat on a cold snowy day. It’s easy to make (the spices are in sachets, like tea bags) and something they’ve probably never received before.
TURN THE EXPECTED… INTO THE UNEXPECTED
A candle is no Earth shattering hostess gift. But my secret is adding a wick trimmer and snuffer for a something extra!
TIP: If the hosts are providing all the food and drinks, I like to get something extra nice. I LOVE my candle accessories from my favorite local boutique, Kie & Kate. But if you don’t live in Chicago, here are some others!
A SWEET TREAT
Skip the champagne and get them something sparkly instead. One of the most luxurious candies – and they taste even better than they look! Sugarfina. Your host will think you’re the sweetest guest ever. You can purchase boxes individually or go with the sets.
What are your go to hostess gift? Receive anything exciting or different lately?
P.S. Get all your shopping done for the holidays HERE!
