I hate to jump the gun on Thanksgiving and post holiday gift guides, but hostess gifts are often relevant for Thanksgiving as much as they are for the holiday party season that follows. So many people travel or join family and friends for Thanksgiving that hostess gifts are just as useful for Thanksgiving visits as they are for Christmas parties. Below is a roundup of some of my favorite gifts for the hostess this year. Almost all of them are $35 or less! :)
Serving board – There are so many pretty serving boards on sale right now, from marble to wood to slate. These are perfect for the seasoned hostess who always has the components of a cheese board in her fridge. Cute cheese knives or cheese markers would be the perfect topper to this gift.
Coasters – I love these pretty Draper James coasters. They are elegant and classy, and give a nod to the South on top of it all. Pretty work, Reese.
Candles – Over the past few seasons I have grown to love candles burning in my kitchen, living areas and bedroom. There is something relaxing and soothing about a wonderfully scented candle and it’s soft light. There are a ton of great scents this time of year, but I tend to gravitate toward the pine and Christmas tree smells, rather than the super sweet scents. The beautiful jars around some of the candles only need a bow to be fit for giving!
Candle holders – I have often thought about giving candles as hostess gifts, but after seeing so many lovely candle holders I almost think these are the winner. They can reflect many styles and would make an easy and beautiful display for any home.
Coffee table book – There are so many awesome coffee table books that you can get for a great deal. One of my favorites right now is Styled by Emily Henderson. My mom sent me this decorating and personal style book earlier this year and I love reading it before bed or when I’m killing time on the couch before I have to head out for the morning. The gold leaf adds a fun element and looks beautiful on a coffee table.
Cocktail/appetizer cookbook – When I host events I am always worried about the menu. Will there be enough sweet foods and enough savory options? Are my appetizers tasty enough? Is there a good variety of foods? What should we serve to drink? A good appetizer or cocktail recipe book would solve that issue for many hosts and hostesses who think like me ;)
Ornament – Whether you add one to the top of a gift, to a bottle of wine that you bring, or just bring a pretty one on it’s own, an ornament is always a great option for a holiday party hostess. I love the mercury glass ones as a safe, pretty bet, but if you know the host/hostesses personality there are some cute unique ornaments that would be so cute to give. I think this deviled egg ornament is hilarious.
Guest book – I hadn’t thought about using a guest book at home before, but recently stayed at a home with one and read about someone else’s great tradition of using one when people stayed with them in their home. I love the idea of people leaving their messages for the loving host and/or hostess and can’t think of a better person to give this to.
Soap + soap dish – One year a coworker gifted me an adorable soap dish and a pretty bar of soap, tied together with a ribbon. It was a simple gift, but I still use the soap dish every day. Pretty soap is an easy way to pamper your friends, and with so many of them wrapped in beautiful paper, you just need a ribbon to finish it off.
Tea or coffee – Loose tea is one of my guilty pleasures. The flavors of nicer tea’s are usually tastier than the tea bags I use on a regular basis, but because it is more expensive, I don’t buy them very often. A small combination of loose teas or nice tea bags along with a tea infuser or a bag of nice coffee is a lovely, affordable way to pamper a host or hostess and gives them something to relax with after the hubbub of the party is over. Tea Forte is a favorite in our home, and these Christmas flavors are sure to be great. And with so many great local roasters around us, we love getting and gifting locally roasted coffee beans to hostesses and in stockings.
Breakfast supplies – One of my favorite hostess gifts to give is a breakfast basket for the morning after the party. Include a pancake or waffle mix, or even a homemade breakfast treat (my go-to are scones and quick breads), alongside jam, syrup or local honey, all wrapped in a pretty holiday tea towel, and they lucky hostess doesn’t have to lift a tired finger in the morning. This is great paired with the tea and coffee as well. We visited Sarabeth’s while we were in New York in August and everything was amazing, so I would be so excited to give (or receive) the cafe’s pancake and waffle mix!
I hope this helps you as you make your way to your Thanksgiving destinations and start thinking about the holiday hostesses in your life.
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