Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays, Part III: Decorative Gifts

In parts I and II were ideas for "food and beverage" and "kitchen and party" hostess gifts. Here are some "decorative gifts" suggestions for your hosts/hostesses:

Decorative Gifts

•  Pumpkin, Cinnamon, or Peppermint Scented Candle
•  Decorative Note Cards
•  Candy Dish
•  Flowers or Plant (perhaps a Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, or Amaryllis)
•  Picture Frame (even better, add a special photo of the family to the frame)
•  Christmas Tree Ornament
•  Decorative Holiday Item
•  Soap/Lotion Gift Set

Christmas Cactus

Lenox Candy Dish, $12.99
(www.domestications.com)

 

Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays, Part II: Kitchen and Party Gifts

In part I shared ideas for "food and beverage" holiday hostess gift ideas. That hopefully got you thinking about the variety of opportunities for hostess gifts. Part II of hostess gift ideas are in the "kitchen and party" category. As noted previously, aiming for $5 to $15 is a good ball park. Many wonderful gifts can be found at HomeGoods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond, Stein Mart, and many speciality stores. Here are some suggestions:

   Kitchen and Party Gifts

    ·  Wine/Martini Glass Charms (glass markers)

   ·  Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinders (nice to include the salt and pepper too!)

   ·  Electric Wine Bottle Opener

   ·  Decorative Bottle Stoppers

   ·  Martini Glasses

   ·  Margarita Glasses

   ·  Cookbook

Wine/Martini Glass Charms, $15.95
(WineRackStore.com)

Bottle Stopper, $7.99
(Bed Bath and Beyond)

Rechargeable Wine Opener, $9.98
(Sam's Club)

Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays, Part I: Food & Beverage Gifts

Do you wonder when to bring a hostess gift? Are you sometimes at a loss as to what to purchase for a hostess gift? When attending a dinner party or holiday party, it is thoughtful and appropriate to bring your hostess/host a gift. While etiquette doesn't require that guests bring a hostess/host gift for an open house, it is always the gracious thing to do. And being gracious never goes out of style!
Remember that the gifts needn't be expensive. Aim for $5 to $15. Homemade gifts are also appreciated! Be creative. You can find many wonderful gifts at Homegoods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Sam's Club, Costco, Trader Joe's (excellent pumpkin bread mix!), and Stein Mart.
Here are some hostess gift suggestions for the holiday season:  

Food and Beverage Ideas
· Jar of Apple Butter
· Specialty Jam
· Caramel Apples
· Apple Cider Spice Mix
· Seasonal Bread or Cookie Mix
· Infused Cooking Oil
· Wine
· Liquor Filled Chocolates
· Specialty Coffee
· Chocolate Covered Pretzels
· Fudge
· Box of Candy
· Homemade Cookies
· Homemade Bread
· Popcorn Seasonings
<> 

Popcorn Seasonings, $7.95
(Crate and Barrel)

Liquor Filled Chocolates, $18
(Chocolate.com)

Caramel Apples, $29.95
(Williams-Sonoma)

November Gift Giving Etiquette

In planning your November gift giving, note that the:
 - Flower for November is the Chrysanthemum, and

 - Gemstones for November are the Topaz and Citrine.

Mind Your Manners

Thank you to Bill Ward of the Minneapolis Star Tribune for keeping the importance of manners in the forefront in today's article, "Mind Your Manners." In it he highlights segments from the book, How To Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners, by Caroline Tiger. The book is on my to read list.

The update I make to a suggestion in the article is that when the person in line ahead of you tries to get 22 items through the 10 item only lane, to begin counting off the item number would be equally as rude. Rather, a statement such as "You must not have realized that this is the line for 10 or fewer items" if the cashier has not yet realized this; it is the cashier who is responsible for monitoring the flow of the lane and directing this person to the appropriate lane.

I also suggest avoiding name calling (even in your mind) such as "bozo" or other terms. Sometimes, people really are clueless. Give them the benefit of the doubt, just as you would want for yourself.

Incivility Toward Blind Child

It is irksome enough when people show lack of kindness, civility, and compassion for adults, though it is particularly horrendous when people act in such a way toward children, especially a little one that has a disability.

Here is a story about a little boy who has been blind since birth and uses a white cane. The article states how some people will actually step over his cane in annoyance because they feel he is holding them up. Some of the readers comments to this article are cruel. One wonders whether those making the cruel comments really believe what they are writing, or are just writing to annoy others. Either way, it is uncivil and uncalled for.

Article: "Be more sensitive with my son: Angry mother says people 'tut' at her blind toddler as they assume his white cane is a toy"

Children's Etiquette Class, Feb. 19, 2011

"Manners and Dining Etiquette for Children"
Saturday, February 19, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (registration at 9:45a)
Edina Country Club, Edina, MN

Register at www.civilitycentre.com

Program is designed for children ages 6 - 8

• Have you wondered if your child is on their best behavior when away from home?
• Does your child remember to shake hands and introduce him or herself when meeting new people?
• Does your child understand how to use the placeware at the table?

Provide your child with the skills to be successful and build self-esteem, character, confidence, and social skills through an age appropriate interactive class on etiquette.

In this class, your children will cover a multitude of areas such as introductions, being a friend, manners at home, manners at the dining table, and writing thank you notes.

$119.00 per participant
Class includes a served lunch with a dining etiquette discussion and training. Raffle prizes included!