The Cozy Chicks | Cozy Up To Some Killer Books

OH, NO! I need a hostess gift! (con’t)

Continuing with J.B.’s theme from yesterday, I’d like you to drop in on a conversation that usually happens in my house around this time every year.

“Oh, great. I forgot to buy a hostess gift,” say I.

“Well, there’s a surprise,” says my husband.

You’d think he’d know by now that when we’re invited to a party, I need to be reminded well ahead of time to buy a gift for the hostess. But no. And I really hate to stop somewhere on the way because it usually looks like a desperation buy. Yet I refuse to go empty-handed.

Don’t snicker. Blame it on my mother, who was a stickler for good manners. Truthfully, after hosting some pretty big soirees, I can appreciate the wisdom behind the etiquette. A lot of work goes into throwing a party – dinner, cocktail, or otherwise. The house must be cleaned, the food bought and prepared, and of course, the host and hostess properly put-together. And then there’s the aftermath, which is almost as much work as the beforehand part. So a hostess gift is a way to say, ”Thanks for going to all this work and letting me enjoy it.”

I like to take something practical yet pretty, not intended to be used at the party, but by the hosting couple later. So when I happened upon this little gem at Pier 1 Imports the other day, I bought several.

It’s a gift box. Okay, not just a gift box, but a gold filigree one that has a hinged top. It even has a bow. It comes in two sizes (about 8″x8″, or 5″x 5″) at really good prices, and can be filled with whatever your heart desires. I plan to fill mine with an assortment of fruit, imagining how pretty the red and orange will look showing through the gold wire. But it could also be filled with an assortment of sample coffees and teas, or chocolates, or better yet, colorful ornaments. Or how about holiday napkins? Or potted herbs?

Do you have any other ideas of what to put inside? Or do you have a favorite hostess gift? Please share with those of us who always seem to be scratching our heads to find something unique.

Have a productive week,

Kate

p.s. Mark your calendars!! Starting Sunday, December 2^nd, the Cozy Chicks are having a progressive dinner all week long, and you’re invited. But please, bring a dish. We’ll kick it off with Appetizers on Sunday. And this time, no hostess gift is needed.

11 Responses to “OH, NO! I need a hostess gift! (con’t)”

I have a big file cabinet at home, the top drawer of which is filled with files, the bottom drawer is filled with “presents.” Right now, I have:

1) A pair of Nambe candlesticks I saw on closeout. They are extremely cool, and I have a feeling they’re going to disappear as soon as a couple friends of ours sign a contract on the house they’re looking at.

2) A wooden toy I saw at a craft show. My various nieces and nephews are the wrong ages for it, so it will sit there until either Sebastien or Coby gets old enough for it or until we’re invited somewhere there is a child of the right age.

3) A really cool basket thing. Someone gave us a present that came in it. It will be filled with fruit or something similar to go to someone else.

That’s the way things go around here. Sometimes the drawer fills up, sometimes it totally empties out. When it’s empty and we have to go somewhere, I am scrambling!! When it’s full, I can usually find some way to adjust whatever is in there to make it work for whatever the occasion. I tend to pick up things since I work craft shows, so I get things like cool, handmade vases and stuff. Then when it’s time to go somewhere, I can stop at the grocery store and buy some flowers, or candy if it’s a dish, or whatever, and attach the card of the crafter who made the piece.

by Laura Kramarsky on November 25th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I usually know ahead of time who’s house were going to so I make a point to get a “one something” that’s personal to them. I usually go with ornaments because it’s something that can be used again and again and hopefully the recipient will think of us when it comes time to put up the tree.

BUT…..I have to re-think that idea for my office holiday party because my boss is Jewish and doesn’t celebrate Christmas. SO, he’s getting a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka with a nice blue and silver bow on it because I know it’s his favorite.

by debbie on November 25th, 2007 at 8:24 am
BTW, did I mention the party was at said Boss’s house?!?!?

by debbie on November 25th, 2007 at 8:25 am
I always like to take and receive a good bottle of my favorite wine wrapped n anice hand or bar towell.

by Kimberlee on November 25th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Laura, I wish I were that organized. But I really like the idea of having a stash of gifts collected during the year. Good tip!

I’ve done the bottle of wine thing (I love the idea of giving it in a bar towel, btw) but for some reason the hostess always seems to feel obliged to put it out for guests instead of saving it for later. Same with a box of chocolates.

Ornaments are another great idea (for those who celebrate Christmas). I hadn’t thought of that, but I love receiving them.

Has anyone ever received a really strange hostess gift?

Kate

by Kate Collins on November 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I think the gift box could be filled with small candles or napkin rings, even coasters. Hugs, Pamela in Kansas

by Pamela on November 25th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
OOOH, good ideas, Pam. And maybe some of those little wine tags that go around the stem of wine glasses to identify them. Could be a theme box.

Kate

by Kate Collins on November 25th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Okay, I must chime in on the wine idea and I am sorry but also give a little plug to my wine lover’s series–if your hostess is a reader get her that bottle of wine with one of the books in the series or make it all three–they are paperback.

Actually you can do this with any themed related book. If you know your hostess likes to garden pick up Heather’s book, knitting–Maggie, flowers (who doesn’t like flower, give a bundle and a Kate Collins’ book), Diana–a yoga mat and her new book Corpse Pose (out in April, so can’t do it this Christmas, but you could give a book of poems and one of Diana’s Poetic Death Mysteries), some small antique trinket and J.B.’s collectible mystery, ot Karen’s Gray Whale Inn mystery with some of her yummy muffins.

I know it’s a shamelss plug, but think about it–why not pair one of your favorite mysteries with the theme that goes with it? It doesn’t have to be one of ours (but that would be nice) as they are so many great books out there. However, if you have a friend who enjoys any one of the hobbies, etc that we incorporate in our books and who also enjoys reading, it’s not a bad idea.

Commercial over.

Cheers,
Michele

by Michele on November 26th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I make cards - I love to papercraft. So usually hostesses get a bag or box filled with an assortment of handstamped or crafted cards. In fact, when being invited somewhere, my husband or I usually get a comment attached to the invitation, something like, “Boy those cards you gave us really worked out thru the year.” Or the question, “Are you still making cards?” I usually also give these as gifts to those who are hard to buy for (my husband’s elderly aunts, my sister, teachers, etc) and it has become such a thing that my sister actually called the other day to ask what I was planning on giving her for the holidays, because she could really use some Thank You notes this year.

So your gold boxes would like great filled with an assortment of my cards. Hmm, may be stopping by Pier 1 on my way home.

by Cathy on November 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I’ll second Michele’s idea. Who doesn’t like to get a good book along with some fun stuff?

Love Cathy’s idea of the gift cards, too. I’m always hunting for a last minute card. Last minute card, last minute hostess gift — I see a theme here.

Kate

by Kate Collins on November 26th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
During the holiday season, I always take some of those deadly homemade goodies as gifts—like my Mint Chocolate Fudge or Chocolate Rum Balls (after they’ve fermented in fridge for a week or so ).

During the rest of the year, I have to confess fine wine is still my favorite gift. I enjoying sharing some of my favorites with others. Then, of course, there’s a dear friend Back East who enjoys wines, but would much rather have her favorite vodka.

by Maggie Sefton on November 27th, 2007 at 12:58 am

OH, NO! I need a hostess gift! (con’t)

11 Responses to “OH, NO! I need a hostess gift! (con’t)”

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