If invited to stay with someone for a the holidays or to visit their country/beach home, it is important to remember that this means they are giving up walking around half-dressed and drinking straight from the juice carton. So, show your gratitude by bringing a hostess gift. Keep in mind, this gift does not preclude other niceties, such as bringing your hostess/host flowers, springing for the odd groceries, or taking them out for a nice meal (nothing involving carrying your own tray).
Here are two wonderful hostess gift ideas that I’ve given in the past. They are also perfect holiday gifts for someone with a family or as a gift from family to family. If neither of these gifts suits your style or your friends’, you can always bring the classic bottle of good wine (spend $15-$60). And keep checking back, more hostess/family gift ideas will be shared between now and late December. And to be clear, I have no personal affiliation with these companies and they don’t even know I’m writing this post. I just like them so I’m tell you about them.
Wolferman’s English Muffins are loved by those who know them, but not so widely known that it seems banal. Last Christmas, I gave a couple packages of these muffins wrapped nicely in tissue with ribbon to close friends and family. They already have whatever they need and can easily get what they want, but muffins around the time when guests are coming is useful. Did I mention they freeze well? For a sweet collection of goodies, you could give one of their Tote Gift Sets or one of their Gift Sets, which includes their signature English muffins (thick and delicious when toasted), and other tasty goodies to make breakfast an easy event. This is also a great gift to send if your family is getting together but you can’t be there.
Giving something for the home is always safe, unless you do not know your host’s style or decor. However, edible goods, plants, and stand-alone serving pieces are solid options. A good stand alone piece is a trivet or bread board from The Vermont Bowl Company. Made with American wood in America, this is a quintessential gift if you are traveling to visit someone outside the USA or even beyond New England. This lesser known company makes pieces that last. For my own wedding we were given a beautiful Vermont Bowl Company board, which inspired wedding gifts for our friends after that. It is an especially lovely wedding gift actually. Hmmmm. Now I’m thinking of some newlywed friends.
What is your go-to hostess gift?
