During the last quarter of the year, attending celebrations can be as stressful as hosting them. Between finding child care, buying the right gift, and choosing an outfit, holiday cheer starts to feel like a second job.
One of the obligations of a good guest is to never arrive empty-handed. Bringing a little something to show your appreciation for the invitation is expected. While flowers, a bottle of wine, or a box of chocolates will do just fine, there are times when you’d like to stand out a little more.
These suggestions for five unusual host gifts for holiday parties can make the party more memorable and meaningful. It helps to know your host’s interests, but if you don’t, these gift ideas should work for anyone!
Glassware
A frequent casualty of holiday merrymaking is glassware: slippery stemware, condensation on cold cocktail glasses, and collisions between guests in a crowd can result in broken glasses. Help your host out with a gift of a matching set of glassware to restock their serving supplies. Choose whiskey glasses, wine glasses, or champagne flutes, and your host is sure to remember you each time they set them out for cocktails or dinner.
Coasters
Help your host protect their furniture with an attractive set of agate, marble, crystal, or quartz coasters. Even if all their glassware survives the jostling and slippery fingers, guests will need a spot to rest their drinks on coffee or end tables while chatting.
Personalized Ornament
If you know your host decorates a tree, why not present them with an ornament that represents their business, hobbies, or talents? You could get a mini violin for a string player, a horse ornament for an equestrian enthusiast, or a little chef’s hat or whisk for a cook. They will come out season after season and remind your host of your thoughtfulness.
Homemade Gourmet Basket
Instead of buying a showy tower of cheese, salami, and wine secured under impenetrable cellophane, why not create your own? Select a small basket; line it with a decorative dish towel, and fill it with homemade treats and hand-picked items made by local artisans. Your host will appreciate the thought that went into building your own gift basket instead of buying a generic one from the store.
Monogrammed Items
Monograms aren’t just for polo shirts and silver. Everything from hand towels to key fobs can be engraved with your host’s initials. You could even give them a monogram to hang on their front door, expanding their door decor beyond the season.
Giving a homemade or unusual host gift for holiday parties shows that you put some thought and effort into selecting something useful and enjoyable. Make a meaningful impression at those holiday parties this season!
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