Host(ess) gifts?

[colleency]

I have five holiday parties to attend this holiday season, and I'd like to bring host(ess) gifts. I don't want to bring alcohol. I could cook something, if it's particularly fancy and will keep well. Does anyone have any other suggestions? What hostess gifts are you giving this year?

[cangoss]

I posted a question about hostess gifts a couple of weeks ago, and someone suggested photo frames, which is what I did. It was very well received. I got a nice one at Tuesday Morning for not very much money.

My standard gift at this time of year is Peppermint Bark (the recipe is on epicurious). Everyone loves it, and in a cellophane bag with red and white ribbons it makes a festive package.

[donleyk]

I think the King Leo Peppermint Sticks would make a nice gift as well, I am not sure of the cost but these have been featured a good bit this year, like for a stir stick for hot chocolate. On that note maybe Penzey's hot chocolate mix or any of their spices.

Editing to add biscotti travels well. You could make small gift baskets or bags and include teas or dried fruit.

[Varaile]

On the beverage theme - specialty coffees, chai, hot chocolate or tea in a nice basket with some homemade munchies. Big Train chai brand has a nice selection of flavored chai.

As donleyk mentioned, I also just saw some really nicely packaged peppermint sticks for "stirring" at Caribou Coffee.

[erin elizabeth]

This year I spotted a cute ornament at an artist's Christmas open house for under $10. I bought a few and they wrapped them for free much better and cuter than I could have :) Hostess presents done!

[DanaSD]

i've given candles. For holidays spiced ones like spiced orange from illuminations. I know scents is a personal thing but something spicy goes over well with most people for the holidays when they're entertaining. I've also given unscented floating candles - peppermint striped ones for holidays and flip flops for a summer party.

nice cloth cocktail napkins
fun paper cocktail napkins or guest towels
wine bottle stoppers
minature rose bush or orchid - lasts longer than cut flowers
holiday plate with homemade cookies

[gertdog]

My mom always gives paperwhite bulbs in a small pot- they bloom six weeks after you plant them. People seem to love them, and they are easy for her to put together. You just need a 3-4" deep pot and some gravel or small stones, plus the bulbs.

[cminmd]

One year I bought a large container of biscotti from Costco and a bunch of specialty coffees then wrapped four biscotti and two coffees in in a very pretty package and ribbon. I got so many compliments and requests for them at other parties.

[Terri_A]

I usually pick up a few rosemary "trees" from Home Depot or Lowe's.

[Blissful_in_TX]

I was going to say Rosemary Tree as well since it comes in it's own pot, and the hostess doesn't have to dig around for a vase, etc.

And last year I picked up a handful of classic holiday CDs on clearance after Christmas just to plan ahead.

[misskitty100]

Bath and Bodyworks sells awesome "foaming" soap that a lot of people enjoy.

[donleyk]

I found a 3 pack of cheese knives at World Market last night. They are difference shapes and one for soft, medium and hard cheeses. Nice plain wooden handles. I don't typically care for the themed ones. They were in the neigborhood of $8.

[TKay]

Ooh, I love the paperwhites idea. I wish I'd thought of it. Depending on the host/ess, I usually bring holiday blends of coffee beans. I have also done picture frames in the past.

[colleency]

Thanks for the responses!

I think I'm going to hit World Market on Saturday morning. I'm going to go for tea for a couple of the gifts, chocolate for another, and martini glasses for the last.