From glittering holiday soirées to sweltering backyard barbeques, there is an event to attend in every season. While many take for granted the seamless nature of these events, every successful gathering has one common key component: a hard-working host or hostess. Between preparation and planning, circulating with guests, and cleaning up long after everyone has gone home, a good host makes an event successful. Gift your host with a token of your appreciation for their hard work and ensure you will always make the guest list. Here are some unique gifts that any host will love.
Custom Art
To truly go above and beyond, earn yourself gold-star guest status by gifting your hostess with a completely custom piece of art. Commission a local artist or search for one on Etsy and have them create a piece your host will treasure forever. Whether it is a watercolor of their home, a sketch of their family, or a painting of a favorite pet, your host will treasure it forever.
A Wine of the Month Club Membership
Rather than show up with a single bottle of wine, reward your hostess with the gift of wine for an entire year. While the jelly of the month club has been somewhat of a joke ever since the days of Clark Griswold, modern monthly clubs are much more useful and appreciated. Most wine clubs will have options to order from local, or regional vineyards or select from white, red, or sparkling varieties. A gift certificate will allow your host to choose their own preferences if they are unknown.
Spa Gift Certificate
After being on their feet for a day, most people just want to take a break. Turn that break into something spectacular with a gift that will help get every knot out of your host’s back. Look for a spa that has positive reviews and boasts of an elegant and relaxing environment. After all, they have certainly earned it.
Vase of Flowers
Any guest might show up with a bouquet of flowers for a host, but why give a gift that creates more work? Handing a bouquet of flowers to someone insists on them stopping everything to find a vase, cut stems, arrange flowers, and find a place to display them. Instead, wow your host with flowers artfully arranged by a local florist inside a beautiful vase. Select a vase that complements the style of the home, whether it is a gold-dipped modern concrete vessel, a vintage champagne bucket, or a classic china vase.
Artisan Chocolates
Satisfy any sweet tooth with the gift that universally pleases: chocolate. While a box of chocolates seems rather commonplace at first, elevate the gift, and it will be sure to delight. Do not do your host the disservice of showing up with a drugstore brand of candy, but rather gift them with a box
of chocolates from a local artisan chocolate maker. Choose a varied selection from local specialties such as chocolate-covered fruit, hand-dipped chocolate pretzels, and cookies, as well as an assortment of flavored chocolate for a well-rounded (and sweet) gift!
A Well-Stocked Bar
Any good host knows cocktails are an essential ingredient to a successful gathering. Help complete their bar collection by supplying them with a unique elixir or two. Vintage liquors or specialty-infused drinks will be the proud addition to any home bar, as will a bottle of their favorite beverage. Earn bonus points by supplying a pretty decanter that can be displayed at the front lines of their bar collection. If there is a question as to what drink they would appreciate, play it safe by giving a set of mouth-blown glass tumblers.
Monogrammed Towels
Plan ahead and purchase dishtowels, then send them off to be monogrammed. Especially here in Texas, a monogram is a Southern tradition that will delight any hostess. Consider packaging the towels in a mixing bowl with color-coordinated whisks and potholders, or in a basket with lotion and a scented candle.
Cooking Classes
The odds are favorable that someone who hosts events often enjoys all things to do related to entertaining, including cooking. Treat a budding chef to private cooking lessons in their home where they can get one-on-one tips and coaching from a professional chef. Regardless if it is knife skills or recipe creation they want to perfect, private coaching will help them ace cooking school.
Regardless of what gift you give, taking the time to select the perfect way to thank your host is not only good manners, it is something they have earned.
