How to Give a Great Hostess Gift

The invitation came, you RSVP’d, and now the panic begins. “What should I get the host/hostess? Should I send something before, after, or should I bring it to their house?” Choosing an appropriate host/hostess gift can be time consuming and somewhat frustrating, but there are a few ideas that will work over and over again.

If you are going to a dinner party, wine is always appreciated. If you know that the host or hostess has a favorite wine, try and bring that variety. There are a lot of great wines out on the market that won’t break your bank.

Scented candles are a great host/hostess gift. They can be used in any room of the house and smell wonderful. Candles come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so you are sure to find something for every taste.

Gourmet cookies, brownies, or cakes are perfect for bringing the host because it is something that can be shared and enjoyed by the whole party. If you don’t have a favorite bakery nearby, try some of the bakeries online that will ship their delicious treats nationwide.

What better way to say thank you than with flowers or a potted plant? Flowers are the classic hostess gift because they have the ability to brighten up any room. Bamboo plants have become popular gifts in the past few years because they are said to bring the homeowner good fortune.

For the host or hostess that is a chocoholic, there is no better way to show your appreciation than with a box of chocolates. Many stores sell the boxes pre-wrapped, so this is an easy gift to get if you are in a hurry. For a variation on the chocolate idea, try chocolate dipped strawberries.

Another great gift idea is pewter. Whether you give a pewter serving tray or a pewter candy dish, pewter is a gift that will last a lifetime. Pewter is easy to take care of and looks great in any home.

Try to stay away from gift certificates. Although most people enjoy receiving them, gift certificates are often seen as impersonal. By planning ahead and having some of these items on hand, you can avoid the pre-party panic and the hours spent in the mall.