As autumn temperatures continue to decline, and the fall season begins to transition into winter, we find ourselves at a time of year that we love. Suddenly, our wall calendars are filled with hasty scrawls: “Dinner party at Katie’s,” “Wine tasting at Ellen’s,” and “Potluck at Brian’s.” It is the time of year when we tuck away our gardening gloves and instead slide on a sparkly cocktail ring; the time for holiday celebrations and social engagements abound.
Now if you’ve ever hosted a dinner party, wine tasting, or potluck, then you know just how much work they can be. Even if you purchase a stack of pre-made veggie and deli trays to cut down on food prep, you still have to take the time to clean the house, pick out music, send invites, wash all the dishes… the list goes on. Hosting a party is a lot of work. And it is your responsibility as a guest to let your host or hostess know that this does not go unnoticed.
A simple gift is a classic, and classy, way to let your host or hostess know that you appreciate all of the hard work and time that goes into entertaining. Some people seem to think that this is an outdated tradition, but as TV personality and etiquette expert Clinton Kelly explains in his book Freakin’ Fabulous, “bringing a small token of your appreciation is certainly not uncouth.” So while you start to complete your Christmas shopping this year, make sure to also stock up on hostess gifts. aHa! Modern Living has some great ones from which to choose.
Choose the Perfect Hostess Gift
An overnight stay- According to the Emily Post Institute, which has been the go-to etiquette expert since 1946, a hostess gift for an overnight stay is mandatory. The size and grandeur of the gift may vary according to the length of your stay. In this case, it is also appropriate to send the gift after the tenure of your stay, along with a heartfelt thank you note. This gives you the opportunity to select a gift that matches your hostess’ living space. Check out our Modern Decor section for some fabulous options. Wouldn’t a Parker Collection Fragrance Diffuser look lovely in the guest room where you slept? We think it would be a perfect thank you gift for your weekend stay. Or how about the Window Sill Herb Holder for your host’s kitchen? He did make you that delicious tomato and basil fritatta for breakfast one morning, and this would be the perfect place for him to store his fresh herbs while he’s cooking.
Cocktail party- A bottle of wine is an appropriate hostess gift for a cocktail party. But don’t bring a plain ol’ bottle- dress it up with a fun accessory, like a Felt Wine Sleeve. The sleeve is pretty darn handsome looking, and as a bonus, it will keep your hands dry and your bottle secure on the car ride over. Now if you give a gift of wine, Kelly has a couple rules of thumb to point out: First, don’t expect the wine to be served to you at the cocktail party. Consider it a gift to your host for later consumption. Kelly points out that a conscientious host will have already chosen wines for the evening based on what will pair well with the hors d’oueuvres. Secondly, never take an unopened bottle of wine back home with you at the end of the night. This goes for a cocktail party, wine tasting, or pretty much any other event!




























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