(Contrary to what this image may suggest, I actually recommend staying clothed when you visit people during the holidays.)
I’m a big believer in coming gift-in-hand to any and all holiday get-togethers – even if all you tote along is a bottle of wine (which no one will ever be sad to see), it lets your hosts know that you’re appreciative of the time and the effort they’ve put into the event, whether it’s a cocktail party or a week-long stay.
My general rule: tailor the size of the gift to the duration of your presence in their home. For a regular old dinner or cocktail party, a bottle of wine or a bottle of decent liquor is sufficient (assuming your hosts drink or are serving alcohol) – flowers force your hostess to stop whatever she’s doing and trim stems and find a vase.
For a holiday-type celebration, though, you’ll probably want to up the ante a little bit, in the spirit of it all. If you want to step it up from your regular old go-to hostess gift, a basket is a lovely alternative…made even lovelier when it’s customized. And it doesn’t have to be pricey at all – just a few personal touches make all the difference.
What To Include:
- Something Edible: Definitely throw something to eat or drink in there, but make it a little more luxe than usual. Godiva hot chocolate, fancy salts, a split of champagne, or even a couple of pieces of really great seasonal fruit all make a basket more delicious.
- Something Festive: Think “glitter.” A sparkly nail polish, a bedazzled ornament, a pair of (inexpensive) crystal earrings…just get that basket glowing, and it’ll make the whole thing feel much more celebratory.
- Something To Make Her Feel Beautiful: A beauty product or two always makes for a fun gift, but it can be tricky choosing items for someone whose skincare needs you’re not intimately familiar with. The solution: go for products specifically tailored to sensitive skin (like Simple Skincare’s Foaming Facial Wash and Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer, pictured above) so you don’t have to worry how the recipient’s skin will react.
- Something Personal: I love the idea of including a little something specific to your hometown: an ornament, a set of coasters, or a local delicacy (the Pure Mountain Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar is from a little store in my town that makes all their products on-site; it also happens to be incredibly delicious and I seriously think you should try it on some strawberries, just saying).
- Something Practical: A book light for a reader, a pair of beautiful serving spoons for a foodie, an iTunes gift card…something that they’re guaranteed to use is always a nice final touch.
P.S. If your hostess has children, go ahead and just bring them a little something and call it a day; your friend will love you for providing at least a momentary distraction during the madness of holiday entertaining.
