Top Ten Gift Ideas for Thoughtful Hostess Gifts

This holiday season, many of us will be invited to dinner or gathering. Some may even be staying overnight at a friend or family member's home. A great way to show our appreciation for the work and effort put forth by the hostess is to bring a hostess gift. While hostess gifts are certainly not mandatory, they are thoughtful and show good manners. These hostess gifts won't ensure you will be invited back, but they will definitely leave a good impression and get you started on the right foot.

1. Guest Book: Many hostesses enjoy keeping track of their guests by having them sign a guest book. It's fun to look back, read the comments from past guests and remember the good times had while entertaining. Target or Hallmark carry a nice selection of classic and contemporary styled Guest Books for around $20.

2. Picture Frame: Almost every hostess would enjoy a beautiful picture frame. If you know your hostess well, choose a frame that will compliment her décor. A beautiful beveled silver 5x7 frame from Target is only $14.99. If your hostess is a bit more whimsical, try a desktop memo and picture holder. For $9.99 the "Posey" desktop frame/memo holder can hold either pictures, notes, recipes or all 3 at the same time.

3. Candle Set: Illuminations online and brick and mortar stores carry a nice selection of high quality candles and gift sets. If you live near a store, I highly recommend stopping in to pick up the vanilla candle and potpourri set for $19.99. This delightful little gift set comes with a sculpted wood dish, with 3 square, vanilla scented candles and some vanilla potpourri. Your hostess will enjoy this gift every time she uses it!

4. Chocolates: You really can't go wrong with chocolate and one of my favorite places to get fine chocolate is Sees Candy. Their 8 oz. Gold Truffle gift box is $8.05 and comes with 24 mouth watering truffles. Your hostess will enjoy Dark Chocolate Chip, Café Au Lait, Lemon, Light and Dark Chocolate, Key Lime, Café Hazelnut and Raspberry.

5. Coordinating Dishtowels: Dishtowels may not be the most heart felt gift you can give, but when they come from Williams Sonoma, they can be. Your hostess will appreciate your good taste and sense of quality. A set of 4, thick, waffle weave dishtowels costs $16. These are Williams Sonoma signature cotton towels and have a classic look.

6. Homemade Gift: A homemade gift will truly be something your hostess will appreciate. Whether you make a cookie or soup mix in a jar, throw together a recipe of spiced nuts, or create your own bath products like bath salts and bath bombs, presentation will really add to your gift's charm. Put your bath products in a stainless steel wire caddy or a handcrafted basket. A cellophane bag tied with a big silk ribbon will dress up your spiced nuts. A wide ribbon and swatch of fabric covering the lid with hand made gift card will be the perfect presentation for a cookie mix in a jar.

7. Small House Plant: Fresh flowers may seem like the perfect gift for a hostess, but actually, they are not. Your hostess gift should treat the hostess, not create a crisis for her to deal with. If she is rushing around to take care of last minute details for her party, having to stop and find a vase and put the flowers in water may cause her undue stress. Instead, pick up a lovely house plant at your florist or even the florist department at your grocery store.

8. Kitchen Soap Gift Set: Williams Sonoma makes luxurious essential oil liquid hand soap and lotion sets in a contemporary looking stainless steel wire caddy for $29.99. These sets look great next to a kitchen sink and will be a very useful, but generous gift.

9. Cookbook: If you know a little bit about your hostess, try selecting a cookbook geared towards her interests. If she enjoys Italian cooking, look for an authentic Italian cookbook. If she likes to bake, there are lots of great cook books to choose from. A cookbook that was specifically chosen to reflect her interests is a very thoughtful way to show your appreciation to your hostess.

10. Hot Cocoa Gift Set: Nothing is quite as comforting as a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter night. Red Envelope has a decadent hot cocoa gift set by New York City chocolatier MarieBelle. For $26 you get 6 packets of Venezuelan cocoa in a lunchbox style tin. This sinfully delicious cocoa comes to life with hot water, but when refrigerated, becomes a dark, silky smooth Crème de Chocolat and can be eaten by the spoonful!

Your hostess will appreciate your thoughtful gesture when you come to her home bearing gifts.