Rec me a cool/thoughtful/interesting/unexpected/other adjective hostess gift

[lunabee34]

that isn't wine or flowers, please. :)

Comments

[musesfool]

If the person likes to cook, infused olive oils or fancy vinegars is a nice gift. or if you have a local bakery that has a specialty cake or bread or pastry that the person might not normally buy for themselves, that could be a good hostess gift.

[lunabee34]

That is a great idea. It's too short notice for this time, but there's an awesome infused olive oil and vinegar shop in my in-laws's town; I should stock up on a few sets when we visit to keep around for this situation. My mom keeps a gift pantry full of stuff for hostess gifts and etc. I should adopt that practice.

[dariaw]

Agree with musesfool on those gifts.

A nice set of fancy tea, coffee, or chocolate, depending on their taste. Or a nice teapot, or a nice set of glasses.

For booklovers, bookplates or bookends can be nice.

A big basket filled with fruit.

A plant.

[lunabee34]

Fruit basket! Of course. *headdesk* That's perfect. Thank you.

[lyr]

Usable object d'art, like a vase or lovely serving dish or pretty garden solar light. Pretty cloth napkins or placemats. One of those sets of glass food storage containers with lids. A set of paperwhite bulbs nestled in those colored glass stones in a nice glass vase. An intricately carved wooden or soapstone box.

[lunabee34]

I love the idea of a pretty object like a serving dish. That's a great idea. Thank you.

[kore]

- Fancy-ass loose tea in nice canisters (teavana has some)
- Fancy chocolates
- Sampler of fancy nuts/chocolates/dried fruit/coffee (World's Explorer Coffee kit is one of these)
- Macarons or macaron making kit
- Pro fruit baskets can be really nice
- One thing I used to order from NM were chile posters https://chile.nmsu.edu/details/541

[lunabee34]

These are all excellent suggestions! Thank you. IDK why I forgot fruit basket; that's a very doable and great gift.

[zulu]

Something local and sweet, like honey from an apiary, or home-made jam (not necessarily your home).

[china_shop]

I was going to say honey too. :-)

[lunabee34]

Honey wins!

Thank you. :)

[lunabee34]

Oh, I love it!

There's a stand that sells local honey in town. I think I'm going to go with honey/fruit basket combo. Thank you.

[goss]

Fruit basket or an assortments of fancy pastries/breads are always welcome as hostess gifts in our family gatherings. :)

[lunabee34]

Fruit basket FTW!!!!! I'm going to stick some local honey in it to level up. :) Thank you.

[toujours_nigel]

If they're craft-inclined, perhaps something from etsy on those lines?

[lunabee34]

Ooh, that's a great idea! I don't know this couple well enough for that, but that's an excellent idea I wouldn't have thought of. I can already think of several things that would be appropriate for another party with another couple. Thank you!

[toujours_nigel]

I'm glad.

[princessofgeeks]

A large round basket that could be used for putting fruit in or serving rolls at the table.

[lunabee34]

I think I'm going with fruit basket, but I'll do it in a really nice basket that can be reused for purposes such as that. Thank you! :)

[monanotlisa]

Anything that the person really needs -- I love functional gifts.

For example, if she is a gardener, get her that cool little mat to kneel on to save your poor knees. If she bakes or cooks, get her a lemon sock. If she likes sci-fi, buy her the Murderbot Diaries. :P

[lunabee34]

All excellent suggestions!

I am also one who loves a practical gift; it's a split in gift-giving culture between my family and Josh's.