Someone else kindly invited you into their home, and went to all the effort to arrange the dinner or party or whatever occasion — shouldn’t you make a small gesture of gratitude in return? (Hint: Emily Post says yes, you should.) When there’s a soiree on the horizon, here are some possibilities suggested by local retailers.
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Fresh bouquet, prices vary, from The Flower Shop
“Fresh flowers that are small enough to not disrupt whatever the hostess of the party has going on make a great hostess gift. The flowers may be set on a table or bathroom counter easily, and the container is something that can be used for other things at a later date.” – Lori Wright
Gilded amethyst napkin rings, $35 each from 3B Home
“What better way to say ‘thank you’ for dinner than with napkin rings? These napkin rings are a gold-leafed amethyst chunk on square acrylic, and are a beautiful display, whether sitting on a table or displayed on a counter.” – Rhonda Beck
Aspen Bay Cedar Rose candle, $26 from Tulips
“I love nothing more than giving someone a delicious candle to make their house smell yummy!” – Paige Beal
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Vida Alegria double dip bowl by Beatriz Ball, $38, tea towel, $12, Sugarfina champagne gummy bears, $20 each from Occasions
“I love to give hostess gifts that I know will be used and loved! You can pair this double dip bowl with candies or dip mixes, adding a cute matching tea towel or a set of cocktail napkins. I would wrap it all in cellophane and add a cute big bow.” – Susan Austin
Mariposa Fireside Blend coffee, $15.95, pH Alchemy lavender simple syrup, $16, handmade tea towel, $14 from The Social Club
This is a go-to hostess gift. Good coffee is a life changer! The lavender simple syrup is delicious in coffee, champagne or cocktails, which makes it fun and versatile. And then the tea towel — who doesn’t love a beautiful towel to hang on your oven? It’s art for your kitchen.” – Dana Scott
Cotton monogrammed handkerchiefs, $39 from Plenty Mercantile
“Our set of two organic cotton monogrammed hankies makes a wonderful hostess gift. We love these because they are packaged in a lovely keepsake box (we add a touch of twine), and it makes an easy, yet very thoughtful gift. Used at weddings, funerals and blessed events, they become a treasured heirloom piece. A favorite with the Plenty staff.” – Traci Walton
French honey pot, $13 from Bebe’s
“This French honey pot has a great price point. Tie a little wooden honey spoon on it and you have a perfect hostess gift. After the honey is gone, you have a darling clay vessel for flowers or spices!” – Karen Samis
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Linen pinafore apron from Lithuania, $50 from Sara Kate Studios
“Stonewashed linen in the most beautiful hues, handmade just for us! I just love the Japanese-style pinafore shape, and it makes being in the kitchen a little more fun.” – Sara Kate Little
Culinary cheese board, $42 from Reclaimed Warehouse
“A perfect gift (Made in Oklahoma!) for entertaining over and over again, with soapstone chalk that never runs out.” – Tabitha Clark
Grace bowl in sky gray, $30 from Urbane
“It’s a beautiful gift that anyone would appreciate. The bowl is small and stores easily, but I think most people display it because it is so interesting.” – Scott Wagoner