Hostess & All Occasion Gifts
Hosting friends & family is a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work. I love to show my appreciation for a good hostess with a thoughtful gift. A bottle of booze or fancy vinegar is always welcome, but sometimes it's fun to mix it up! Below are some of my favorite alternatives, plus other gift ideas for all occasions.
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I update this list frequently, so be sure to check back soon!
Ring Holder by Etsy's @ThePaintedPress
$17+
What better gift for a newlywed -- or anyone who wears small jewelry and wants to take it off from time to time -- than a delicate, minimalist ring dish? This Etsy shop, @ThePaintedPress, makes a variety of lovely, personalized options with thousands of positive reviews. I plan to get one of the hand painted ones with flowers, simple initials, and the wedding date to send to a friend -- along with a check, of course!
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This would be a perfect bridal shower, wedding, birthday, or even new mom gift.
Mariposa Cocktail Napkin Box
$48
We got one of these as a wedding gift, and it's had a place of honor (and usefulness) on our coffee table ever since. They're good quality and come in a variety of cute styles. We got a boat charm/nautical napkin combo. I love the martini glass charm/"cheers" napkin, lime wedge/cocktails napkin (as shown), and champagne bottle charm/"eat, drink, and be married" napkin.
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*Great wedding gift.*
Hella Bitters Bar Set
$34.95
A must-have for any home cocktail aficionado! I love giving these as a gift as much as I enjoy using them in my own libations. The tiny bottles showcase five flavors - citrus, smoked chili, orange, ginger, and my favorite, aromatic - and make an adorable gift solo or with a bottle of your recipient's favorite spirits.
Capabunga Wine Sealers
$12.95
These silicone wine sealers serve as an airtight lid for wine, dressings, or anything else in a bottle. They're also very cute, and come in a variety of themes that make them perfect for personalizing to your recipient! I love to send these, a cute cocktail napkin, and cheese bags (see below) as a trio, wrapped up nicely, along with a check as a wedding gift.
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My favorite designs:
Holiday ("Naughty," "Nice," snowman, "In Case of In-Laws, Remove Cap"
His/Hers ("His," "Hers," "Wine Safe," "Me Time"
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*Great wedding gift.*
Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags & Paper
$17.50
These cheese storage bags look chic, and work beautifully. A must for cheese lovers. Your cheese will thank you! Great as a bundle with wine sealers (see above), cocktail napkins, wine, cheese accessories, a cutting board . . . the sky's the limit!
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*Great wedding gift.*
Spireside Candles
$18
These gorgeous, clean burning, soy candles don't just smell amazing -- they also have unique literary and Disney themes, and beautiful labels to match. And they're affordable. Perfect for a thoughtful gift! They also have sample packs, which are really fun.
My favorites:
Ghostly Castle (for Disney's Haunted Mansion fans)
Snowy White (for Snow White fans)
Wizard's Pub (for Harry Potter fans)
Baker Street Flat (for Sherlock Holmes fans)
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NexTrend 3rd Generation Garlic Twist
$18.49
As a garlic lover, I've tried every garlic mincer out there. This is by far my favorite, and it makes an awesome gift for anyone who loves to cook. It's compact, easy to use, and easy to clean (dishwasher safe!). You could easily throw it in a bag with an infused oil and/or some fancy salt to make a gorgeous gift for a food lover.
Salbree Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper
$15.90
I make air-popped popcorn almost every day for an afternoon snack, and this baby is a game changer! No oil or butter needed, and minimal cleanup -- just put the kernels in and microwave for 1 minute and 55 seconds. Cute colors, too. (I have hot pink.) I would gift it with a bag of organic popcorn kernels tied with a ribbon, and maybe some Kernel Seasons seasoning (see below) if you like!
Kernel Seasons Popcorn Seasoning
$3.99
These seasonings are low calorie, high flavor! You can mix and match to try a few -- Buy 4, Get 1 Free. My favorites: Bacon Cheddar, Kettle, White Cheddar, and Sour Cream & Onion. I also love the butter spritzer spray. A variety pack with a bag of kernels (and maybe the silicone popcorn popper above) would be a super cute gift!
A Note on Wedding Gifts:
My favorite wedding gift to give is a check: it always fits, and the couple can use it for whatever they want or need! But to make it more personal, I send the check with a
not-too-expensive but thoughtful gift.
My go-to wedding options are noted below!