I think it’s nice to bring a hostess gift when going to someone’s house for dinner. Of course wine and flowers are perfectly fine but every month I give a few different ideas for gifts that are inexpensive and something you could create to fit the host’s personality. This month I got most of the items at the Dollar Tree store and a few things from Goodwill…..if you have the budget to spend more money, you could use these ideas and just buy more expensive items….(I personally would be happy to be gifted with any of these!)
If your hostess/host enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, why not pick up a great cookbook you think they might enjoy? Cookbooks are expensive though so if you’re on a budget, check out the cookbooks at your local used book store or local thrift store. I picked these books up for 99 cents each, they’re in perfect condition and would make a great little gift for a friend who enjoys cooking ethnic recipes….wrap a ribbon around them, put in a cute bag (save money and buy wrap/bags/ribbon at dollar stores) or just take as they are. Cookbooks titled, Great Meals in Minutes-Mexican Menus, Chinese Menus and Italian Menus….99 cents each from Goodwill.
Another great gift for the hostess who enjoys cooking is a potted fresh herb. When you buy the actual herb plant, it’s usually less expensive than cut, fresh herbs at the grocery store and will continue to give your hostess fresh herbs to use long after flowers would die. Pick up a pot, plant the herb, and include a little note as to what the herb is and maybe some ideas of how to use it. Or you could even include a recipe you like that uses that particular herb. I got this pot for $1.00 at the Dollar Tree and the English Thyme from King Soopers for $3.99 (the small package of thyme they were selling in the produce section was $3.99-got a lot more for my money by going with the entire plant).
A simple glass dish offers so many possibilities to custom design a thoughtful hostess gift. This star-shaped glass bowl was $1.00 (from the Dollar Tree) and for a friend with a sweet tooth who favors jelly beans and chocolate covered pretzels (both purchased at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 each). You can cover the dish and sweets with Saran wrap and throw a bow on it if you want or tie a ribbon around it.
Is your hostess a “list-maker”? These paper pads have a magnet on the back of them so she can stick them on the fridge and have a handy blank pad available all the time. At $1.00 each, why not get several and look how cute this package of pens are…pack of 3 for $1.oo (all bought at the Dollar Tree). Tie a ribbon around them and it make a cute little gift.
If you know your hostess isn’t allergic to scented products, this makes a great little gift of “indulgence” for her (all bought for $1.00 each at the Dollar Tree). This body scrub and lotion smells so fresh and clean and works great (I HAD to try it before I could recommend it!) The scent is vanilla citrus white tea. And I found this cute little package of vanilla soap petals that you can toss in the tub for a luxurious bath or look pretty simply displayed on a soap dish. Gift them in a basket, bag or wrap in tissue paper.
And last but not least, look how pretty and spring-like this divided platter dish is….bought at Goodwill for $2.00. (No one would ever know!) I like buying inexpensive dishes when we’re going to someone’s house for dinner and we’re bringing a dish of food. I match an appropriate dish to the food and then let the hostess keep the dish. This particular dish would be great filled with fresh veggies, dips, or cheeses. And every time she uses it, she’ll think about you!
It doesn’t have to cost a lot to be “thoughtful”! All of these ideas cost less than $5.00 and are something any hostess would enjoy and appreciate!