Home12.06.2013

gifts for the hostess with the mostess ...


john & kira's chocolate // anthropologie baking collection // le creuset baking tools // red fox gourmet gift basket // west elm printed bowls // monogram mug // modern house wines // votive candle // "tipsy" monogrammed wine glasses // anthropologie apron // coffee cold brew kit // personalized cutting board // address embosser // personalized note cards // gold trim agate coasters 

  today's post is gift ideas for the girl who is a lovely hostess.  she could be either just learning to find her way in the kitchen and needs those "perfect pieces" for hostessing a gathering, or she is the girl who already has everything and you have no idea of what to get her!  for this post, i collaborated with my sister who has amazing taste in the kitchen, both literally and figuratively.  she's always on top of what the best products are! check out our picks:

1.  trifle dish:  
     Far and away, the trifle dish is my favorite serving piece.  It adds height to any food display, and offers up a fun way to serve salads, candies, and, obviously, trifles.  As most people don’t already own one, it makes a great gift for a hostess. You can find an inexpensive trifle dish at Home Goods, Target, or Bed Bath and Beyond.  To spice things up, throw in a package of some fun popcorn (this year’s new go-to food for parties) like these snacks from Red Fox Gourmet.  
       
2.  personalized stationary & accessories:
     In the days of tweets, likes, and text messages, nothing is classier than an old fashioned personalized thank you card or note.   This season, black and white with gold accents is all the rage…thank you Great Gatsby.   You can order personalized stationary from etsy, tinyprints, vista print, minted, paperstyle or this pink quatrefoil design from paige simple.  Additional options—and you can be almost positive your hostess doesn’t already have these—are an embosser or a wax seal kit.

3.  fun wine guide:
     So your hostess isn’t a natural born sommelier? I can relate…I don’t dare purchase wine as a gift because I’m not knowledgeable enough to know a good bottle unless someone tells me.  This scratch and sniff wine guide is both educational and fun.

4.  personalized cutting board:
     This is such a great piece to break out for parties, whether to use for cutting or to use as a serving piece. Perfect for the hostess or the newlyweds.

5.  candles:
     You can’t beat the clean smell (perfect for masking smelly kitchen scents) from the Clean, Crisp, White Votivo candle.

6.  personalized wine glasses:
     Because anyone who’s frequently hosting parties ALWAYS needs more vessels to serve their guests alcohol.  Traditional monogram version available here, and fun “tipsy” version here.

7.  le creuset spatulas:
     The. Best. You can never have too many. Wrap them up with a pretty ribbon and pair them with a matching dish towel or oven mitt.  These things are amazing for spooning out every last drop of batter from a bowl, and they’re pretty indestructible…they’ve survived more than one accidental drive into my spinning kitchen aid mixer.

8.  food gifts:
     Food gifts are always a safe bet.  John and Kira’s chocolates was started by a couple in West Philly who work with the local school kids and used ingredients grown in the school gardens. They still use locally sourced ingredients.  Red Fox Gourmet is another Philly business that offers up creative spins on delicious snacks—this one started by one of my sister’s college roommates who gave up her career in PR for culinary school.  She's created delicious and wholesome snacks with no artificial ingredients or additives.

9.  simple white platters:
     I have several of these Crate and Barrel white platters and I use them constantly, no matter the occasion.  All foods look great when displayed against a simple white backdrop, and the minimal lip makes it easy to maximize space for plating.  Every kitchen needs a handful in both the square and rectangular sizes.

10.  alcohol:
     Obviously…right?  Want your bottle of wine or six pack of beer to stand out from the rest of the party attendees? Your hostess will give it another look with these cute ways to dress up your booze. Thank you, Pinterest.  Throw your six pack of beer into a mini cooler with some lemons/limes/oranges and a bottle opener.  Wrap your wine bottle in a pretty dish towel, or pair it with gourmet olives, a bottle of olive oil, or a load of French bread.


Love, Tara

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for including my cards in this post! Kristin @ www.paigesimple.com

    ReplyDelete