Welcome Wednesday :: Hostess Gifts

We’re in the throes of the busiest time of the year. Our schedules are on overdrive and as we prepare to go about our daily schedule we must now also toss holiday entertaining into the mix. Many of us are still in the midst of decorating our own homes while trying to get ready to entertain guests as well as attend office and other holiday parties. While all are very enjoyable, the route to the holiday gala can be a stressful one. Never mind the shopping and the wrapping! In addition to our shopping for our own family members we must come up with ideas for hostess gifts. While no one ever scoffed at a lovely bottle of wine, there are other more creative ideas that are just as simple to pick up, but more personable and in the end, probably better enjoyed than the bottle of wine so many of us are accustomed to giving and receiving.

I love to get and receive simple and yet unique gifts. I feel as though the giver has put a little more thought into something that represents the host’s personality and interests. For the entertainer, a set of horn servers, such as the ones shown above, can be ordered or picked up from Williams-Sonoma. Peruse the website for many other wonderful holiday gifts.

For those cook with style the nesting Hedgehogs are fun and whimsical. From Anthropologie, these darling measuring cups make for a perfect holiday hostess gift.

For those who like candles, NEST is a favorite. NEST Fragrances began as a specialized luxury home fragrance manufacturing company focused exclusively on the private label segment of the industry. The company’s client list includes more than 80 world-class luxury brands, including Tory Burch, Jonathan Adler, Calvin Klein, NARS, Jason Wu, West Elm, Laura Mercier, AERIN, and Ralph Lauren – all of which turned to NEST Fragrances to develop their own exclusive lines of luxury home fragrance products. The Bamboo, as shown above is great no matter the time of year or the season with its light, crisp, clean and fresh scent.

We don’t think paper products are at all passe, and neither, it seems, does Kate Spade who returns again in 2014 with her fun and whimsical desk calendar. You’ll never look at Mondays the same way again! (Check out Kate Spade’s other paper goods for more hostess gift ideas.

When thinking of hostess gift ideas it’s ok to go off the beaten path… Antique stores and flea markets can be wonderful places to look for gifts such as vintage linens, silverware, small silver pieces, plates, platters and bowls are just some ideas. These make lovely and very personal gifts.

If you’re lucky enough to have ever walked inside Terrain, the luxurious gardening megacenter, you will have no doubt marvelled at the wonder within – a feast for the eyes and the senses! There are so many wonderful things to see, for home, bath and garden. As I was perusing the store and the  website the other day I became enamored with these wonderful Gold Rush Champagne glasses. Now of course, they can be enjoyed with just about any beverage, but life is better with a little bubbly in it – and these flutes certainly will be as well!

Let’s not stray too far from the topic of champagne. For those of you who truly enjoy a nice champagne, both for drinking and gifting, why not step out of the orange box and try something new and different. Veuve, while reliable, has become the Coca – Cola of the bubblies, not that there is anything wrong with that, but for a truly special gift there are some wonderful boutique champagnes that will delight even the most discernable palette. For some wonderful options and a guide to inform you and help you choose, visit Henri’s Reserve.

And finally, nothing beats the homemade, from the heart, gift. If you have a gift or a specialty, share it, for it will be truly enjoyed!

Happy Gifting!