Perfect hostess gifts

I have a little something up my sleeve for this weekend's hostess gift, but I thought it would be fun to do a simple roundup of great gifts for a host/hostess. 

Some people think wine is boring and overdone, but have you ever been annoyed when someone showed up at your door and handed you a bottle? I didn't think so. Sofia Coppola Rose. This is my absolute favorite rose and I take every opportunity to recommend it. Crisp + a bit warmer than a white. My favorite for sipping, especially on one of the first warm days of spring.

A book. My girlfriend Kendra recently suggested I read Rules of Civility by Amor Towles and now a third in, I'm hooked (note: I did think it had a slow start). If you're not visiting a bookworm, no worries, a cool magazine subscription could also do the trick (my two favorites: Real Simple & Garden & Gun). Just show up with a little card or tell them they'll be getting a gift in the mail soon. Surprises are the best. PS - G&G is great for restaurant recs.

Fresh flowers. Especially if you've taken the time to make them look beautiful. Cup of Jo recently featured Kendra Smoot, a prop stylist who shared some awesome tips to making a supermarket bouquet look beautiful. Sweet!

A specialty and/or expensive food. No, we can't all afford black truffles, but something your hostess might not usually allow in the budget is a wonderful way to say thanks. Think: cheese, olives, chocolates. (Truett handed me a second cup of warm water in a dirty cup from the sink last night and told me I was, "so spoiled" because he was treating me to my second cup of "coffee".)

A small potted plant, perfect for an office desk or mantle. I think a Dwarf Meyer Lemon tree would smell sweet while in bloom and then you could cook or make lemonade with the fruit!

That's it! What do you think makes the best host/ess gift?

Comments

[Miriam]

Truett is adorable! How sweet of him to offer you a second cup of coffee! :)