Laundry HE

We’re officially into December which means the holiday party season is upon us! Lucky for me, my friends and family love hosting get-togethers and I usually end up with my December weekends booked by mid-November. The parties, people and festivities are always great fun, but knowing what gift to give to the hostess is always a little tricky, not to mention stressful if you leave it to the last minute (ok, maybe I’m talking about myself).

In the past few years I’ve spent quite a few afternoons kicking myself for not picking up that perfect gift I saw last weekend or last month. I want to help you from suffering from my fate so I’m going to share with you a great list I found on Yahoo Shine – and everything is under $50! I’ve also pulled together a list of my tried and true ideas in hopes they save you in a bind. And the best part of my list, if I do say so myself, is that many of the ideas are items you can stock up on so you have them ready to go at a moment’s notice!

Kristen’s Top 5 Holiday Host & Hostess Gifts

- Gourmet coffee is a great gift idea that your fun-loving hosts can enjoy immediately the morning after the party and is typically an item they won’t purchase for themselves. La Colombe, a local New York brand served at all of John-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurants, is one I’ve used in the past.

- This one might seem a little random, but giving peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co has had my mom friends (and their kids!) absolutely raving. Make sure you go decadent with Cinnamon Raisin Swirl or Dark Chocolate Dreams. Yum!

- I’m sure a lot of my Laundry Line readers out there have visited Etsy on occasion and if you haven’t, you should head over there stat! In particular, look up Aprons 2 Tie 4 – they have the cutest retro-style aprons that are perfect for a hostess who wants to look put-together if she’s still putting the finishing touches on dinner as guests start to arrive.

- I love a good boardgame and I think lots of other people do too, however, we’re always so “connected” to our phones, blackberries, etc. that we forget to sit down and play! So, encourage your hosts to tap their inner youth with a round of Clue or, my personal favorite, Scrabble.

- Bring Champagne! A lot of people don't think to buy it for themselves, saving it for "special occasions.” Just go ahead and buy a case (it's like getting two bottles free) and keep it on hand so you have it ready to go for a last minute gift.

Do you have any hostess gifts you always count on? I’d love to hear them!

Cheers!

Kristen