FINDING THE PERFECT HOSTESS GIFT

 

I am sure, like me, you must often have been faced with the dilemma of the perfect gift for the perfect hostess (or the less than perfect gift for the not so perfect hostess). Taking a small token of appreciation is customary when going to a party or even a courtesy call. Yet, the search for the perfect hostess gift can at times be difficult.

5  Practical and Hassle free Ideas for the Perfect Hostess Gift

Here are a few ideas that you might find useful:

1.      FLOWERS

Flowers always bring a smile to the face of the recipient, irrespective of age or gender. They can be adapted to the occasion: bright for festive, white for somber.

However, it is best tostay clear of huge readymade formal arramgements or plastic-wrapped bouquets. It seems more thoughtful to give fewer flowers with long stems, tied with a simple ribbon.

 

 

2.      FRUIT

A basket of strawberries or a carton of oranges – colour, taste, fragrance of fresh seasonal fruit makes it a very welcome hostess gift. A basket of mixed fruit is the most fun—to look at and to eat. It is so decorative that it can be used as a centerpiece.

 On a scale of 1 to 10, a mixed fruit basket is definitely an eleven plus. It may take a little time, effort and expense to assemble. Some supermarkets have started selling ready prepared fruit baskets; with the addition of a personalized touch like a ribbon and a card you have the perfect hostess gift.

 

3.      BOOKS

Books are my personal favourites—gifts I love to give and receive. They can be as simple and inexpensive as low priced paperback copies of books I have read and enjoyed. It is so much fun if the recipient is a bookaholic too: you can have a cozy discussion about them later.

For formal or special occasions the big fancy coffee table books still look lovely; even in this digital age. If your host or hostess are not great readers, do not despair; just come up with a book that caters to their interests. Cookbooks, books on gardening, movies, DIY etc. are all good ideas.

 

 

4.      FRAMES

Picture frames are extremely versatile. They come in all shapes and sizes. You can find frames made with all kinds of materials: brass, wood, plastic, acrylic, even crystal. They make particularly good presents for a special event as they can hold commemorative photos. This makes them quite perfect hostess gifts.

 

 

5.      VASES/ ORNAMENTS

“ A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.

This may be a hackneyed old phrase but it applies to all ornaments and vases whether crystal, porcelain or china.

Vases make very useful hostess gifts as they can immediately accommodate any flowers that a host may simultaneously receive. They come in innumerable shapes, sizes and material to suit every budget and every taste.

Tiny but sweet figurines of people, animals, flowers or fruit make good gifts that can be cherished forever. The advantage of giving ornaments is that, if kept with care, they can outlive both giver and “givee” (recipient).

 

Once, when I was six years old, I was helping my mother choose a present. “When choosing a gift for someone,” she said, “pick something that you would love to receive or that you would like to buy for yourself.”

I have, nearly always, applied this yardstick to presents in general, and hostess gifts in particular. I like to think that my gifts are always well-received.

Please

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