Hostess Gift Ideas

   I really love getting invited to parties, any kind of party actually, just as much as I love throwing them. It's always fun getting together with great friends or family, whatever the occasion. But I think I love giving gifts more! I take a lot of pride in coming up with a fun and creative gift for the host or hostess who has probably gone out of their way to make the party a special event! What's even more fun, is seeing the expression on the face of the person receiving the gift; as long as it is a happy expression!

   Now with the weather getting warmer, more people feel the urge to entertain and have people over. It could be for a housewarming party, a barbecue, game night or movie night! Whatever the celebration may be, and whatever type of party you may be invited to, I will be sharing some really great ideas, that are easy, inexpensive, and fun! Whoever the recipient of these gifts is, I can guarantee they will love them!

   There are your typical go-to gifts that never really fail, such as a great bottle of wine or champagne (given that the host actually likes to drink), or even flowers or a beautiful plant. These are great gifts that will always be appreciated, but maybe think about something a little more inventive and fun! Perhaps something that actually has meaning or a connection to the host/hostess; something that shows you have taken the time to get to know them and their interests! Using the theme of the party to decide on what type of gift to give, will help you come up with something fun and useful too!

   This is a list of gift ideas that I love to give (and would love to get in return hint, hint)!

     *a pasta basket  (dried pasta, jarred sauce, colander, dried italian seasoning, dried chilli flakes,
                                   tea towel, and a pasta spoon; use the colander to hold the items)
     *a movie night basket (popcorn bowl, boxed or bagged popcorn, popcorn seasonings, a couple  
                                          of DVD's, movie tickets or Google Play gift card, candy/chocolate bars)
     *a ceramic pie dish with a favourite recipe and tea towel; you could even bake the pie for them 
     *a brie baker with a couple of brie toppings
     *a basket with oils and vinegars and a loaf or two of bread/crostini crackers, a set of dipping                  bowls,     **flavoured oil recipe to follow**
     *a really pretty bowl with a jar of jam or honey and a small serving spoon; can also add a box of 
       cookies or crackers
     *small cheeseboard with knife set
     *coffee basket, with a few different types of ground coffee, chocolate covered spoons, and 
       biscotti
     *a cute set of cocktail napkins, a container/jar of mixed cocktail nuts, cocktail mixer set
     *a candle wrapped in a tea towel; or do the same with a beautiful jar of hand soap and a hand 
       towel
     *any baked treat: the possibilities are endless as are the containers to deliver them in
     *basket filled with olives, crackers, appetizer plates or small bowls, jarred antipasto mix

                 FLAVOURED OIL RECIPE

              3 Tablespoons olive oil
              1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
              1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
              1/8 teaspoon salt
  *add all ingredients to a mason jar or bottle with a secure, spill proof lid


   Here is a list of other gift ideas broken up into seasons:

          SPRING/SUMMER

      *garden tools, packets of seeds, gardening gloves, a pail or planter
      *drink dispenser or pitcher filled with a cocktail spoon, bottle of wine or other fave cocktail, 
        lemons, oranges, limes, a bottle of simple syrup, outdoor glasses, paper straws and coasters
               (not all of these items need to be added, they are just options)
      *drink dispenser with a condiment set, paper french fry holders, snack holders for hot dogs 
        or hamburgers, bamboo cutlery, paper straws, and food picks.

       



               
           

      *a lantern with citronella candles; you could also add some of the above items to the lantern 
        instead of the drink dispenser
      *BBQ kit: oven mitt/apron, a couple of bottled bbq sauces, small basting brush and pot, a                       seasoned wood plank or wood chips
      *S'mores kit: marshmallows, good quality chocolate, graham crackers, small/medium cast iron
        pan

      
    *in the pics above: drink dispenser, straws, napkins, acrylic stemless wine glasses, bottle of wine
      and citrus.

             FALL/WINTER

      *blanket or blanket scarf, candles, mulled cider packets **recipe to follow**
      *hot chocolate kit: mugs, a few packets of hot chocolate in different flavours, marshmallows,
         cinnamon sticks, or add powdered hot chocolate, mini marshmallows in a mason jar
      *candied nuts either store-bought or homemade
      *gourmet caramel apples in a basket
      *Keep Warm kit: packages of tea, honey, a cute mug or two, or even a small tea pot or 
        tea-for-one set, and hand warmers

                    MULLED CIDER SACHET
    
                 12 cinnamon sticks
                 6 pieces star anise
                 1 Tablespoon whole allspice berries
                 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
                 6 sachets (like the ones used for loose leaf tea)
   *this recipe makes 6 sachets and it can be kept at room temperature for up to 6 months*

           **in the pic above: enamel cups, felt blanket, candle and matches in a mason jar. Add a piece 
                 of sandpaper cut to fit the inside of the mason jar lid, and hot glue to the rim. You can use 
                  the sandpaper to strike the matches! Easy and useful DIY. :)
 

     Use different ways of displaying some of the items too. I love mason jars, as you all know, so add
the marshmallows in a large mason jar for the s'mores; decant the spices for the pasta basket into glass spice jars; decant oils and vinegars for the bread basket into glass bottles with a spout or spill proof lid. All these can easily be found at the dollar store.

   A more traditional take on a housewarming gift is a Bread and Salt basket. It has been around for a long time; how long, I am not sure, but it is a custom that was and continues to be popular in the European countries. It is said that if you were a guest in someone's home, and if you were respected by the hosts, they would present you with the bread and salt blessing. Nowadays, guests usually bring the bread and salt to the hosts home as a way of blessing their new house or saying thank you for being invited into their home.

   The blessing is as follows:

               Bread ~ that this house may never know hunger
       
               Salt ~ that life may always have flavour

   The bread was usually wrapped in an embroidered tea towel and the salt was presented in a salt cellar or container. This is a beautiful idea, and although the bread and the salt were the more traditional gifts given, today guests have also included the following items too.

               Sugar ~ that life shall always have sweetness

               Candle ~ that this house will always have light

               Wine ~ that joy and prosperity may reign forever
 
   Print out the blessings on a paper or write your message in a card, and present it with your gift basket. A very sweet gift that any host or hostess would love to receive. Below is an example of the printed blessing.

  So there you have it; my hostess gift giving guide!  I hope these ideas help you out the next time you get invited to a celebration, and I really hope that you have fun putting them together as much as I do!

Until next time!

~A












PRODUCT INFORMATION:

~ drink dispenser, candle and retro condiment bottles from www.dollarama.com
~ paper straws, blue checked snack bowls from www.dollartree.com
~ napkins from www.homesense.ca
~ bamboo cutlery, paper straws from www.michaels.com
~ clear stemless acrylic wine glasses www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca
~ french fry holders and red checked flag picks from a local dollar store
~ melamine condiment set from www.potterybarn.com
~ enamel cups from www.valuevillage.com

Spa Party for Mom

   Hello again! Just as one holiday has passed us by, another special day approaches! Mother's Day!
Celebrating mom is a way to show how much we love, admire and cherish all that our mothers have done, and continue to do for us. While we really should be doing this on a daily basis, it is still special to spoil them for one whole day with treats, gifts, cards and maybe a gourmet meal!

   If you are in doubt of what to do, I have a great idea to treat your mom to a day at the spa-at home!
Spas are expensive, no doubt, so why not take some of the elements of the spa, and host your moms, mom in laws, grandmothers, and any other special moms in your life, to a spa day at home!

   It's easier than it sounds, and you don't need to go overboard (unless you want to of course). I am going to give you some great ideas to make this a relaxing day to remember. From the menu, to the spa treatments; to decor and take home gifts, I will lead you every step of the way to make sure mom feels special, pampered and loved!

   Of course it's important to start with narrowing down the guest list. It could be a small party for just your mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother, or why not add your friends who are moms to the guest list too. However big or small your list, make sure you invite everyone at least two weeks ahead of the party date, especially if you are going to be having treatments done for each guest. You may decide to hire a manicurist or a masseuse for the party (which we will get into later), so you will need to know ahead which guests will be having a treatment and which ones won't.

   Always start with a fun invite such as the one in the pic below. This one was a free printable from www.ohmyfiesta.com. You can print whatever you would like the invite to say on it, or hand write it yourself. Or why not DIY an invite for an extra special touch. I have a really cute DIY invite for your party that I am going to share with you now,  but you can use whatever invite style you like-the options are endless!

         DIY SLEEP MASK INVITE:

        You will need:

        -scrapbook paper in a pattern of your choice and in a plain colour
        -ribbon
        -sleep mask to use as a template OR template you printed out online
        -glue stick and tape

1. trace out the sleep mask pattern onto your patterned paper; then trace out a bigger mask pattern           on the plain coloured paper. Cut them out.

2. cut your ribbon to size in order to fit around the mask pattern; tape the ribbon to the                             underside of the patterned paper.
3. then glue the patterned paper with the ribbon to the plain coloured paper cut out.
4. print out or write out your invite message on the patterned paper.
  *if using your computer to print out your message, make sure you do this before you cut out your patterns.
     

     

   So if you have been following my blog for a while, you know I always like to greet my guests with a drink. Because it is a spa party, how about having some refreshing cucumber water served to welcome guests. Of course a good mimosa never hurt anyone either, so I would serve both! Use a drink dispenser for the cucumber water, this way guests can always go back and help themselves to more. You could also set up a Spa Water Bar where guests can have fun coming up with their own flavoured water. Set it up with dispensers or pitchers of water and ice, and then have bowls filled with fruits, herbs and citrus. Print or post some signs with the combinations that taste best.
   Here are some ideas:

                lemon + mint + cucumber + water
 
                berries + basil + water

                orange + blueberries + water

                raspberries + lemon + water

   Another cute idea, which is totally optional, is to have a basket of flip flops at the front door for your guests to wear during the party.  If you have the resources, why not get them each a robe to wear over their clothes too, so they get the full spa experience! This is a fun element, but not a necessity.

   Next is the menu. You want to keep it casual and spa like, which means light and healthy options, but delicious nonetheless. For this, I would do a buffet, which can be placed away from the action, and guests can go up to get something as many times as they want.
   Here are some ideas of what to serve for your spa buffet:

                          -sushi

                          -soup shots (any flavour of your choice served in small shot glasses or
                           espresso cups
                            *keep the rest of the soup warm in a slow cooker to make refilling the cups easier
                          -small bowls/ramekins of salad greens with at least 3 dressings options
                             *serve the dressings in small pitchers or glass bottles
                          -a couple of cheeses, honey, wheat or fruit crackers
                          -a veggie tray with dip; or skewers of cherry tomatoes with balsamic drizzle
                          -assorted tea sandwiches ( check out my tea party post for some ideas)
                          -smoked salmon with fixings (sliced red onion, thinly sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced
                               radishes, capers, chive cream cheese, fresh chopped dill)

                          -fruit kebabs or fruit tray



  You want to keep everything bite sized so it's easy to eat with one hand or to carry on a small appetizer plate. Another fun idea to have set up, if space permits, is a yogurt bar! Stick with one flavour, such as vanilla or plain, and have some bowls with toppings, such as, fresh fruit, granola, sliced almonds, toasted coconut, and dark chocolate pieces.

   A show stopping dessert should be next on your list to spoil mom! A beautiful layered cake or cupcake flowers would do the trick. You could even just go with some simple store-bought cupcakes and dress them up a bit with edible glitter, sprinkles or sugar flowers. This is an easy and cost effective treat that is sure to impress!

   Keep the decor simple with light colours, candles and small vases of flowers. Think of having some magazines scattered around the room on tables for a fun distraction and conversation starter.

   Now on to the fun part of the spa day! Think about hiring either a manicurist, masseuse or someone who does facials. It is not necessary to do all, one will do and will keep moms busy and feeling pampered!
   This is something that needs to be looked into ahead of time, so you can book someone, and they will also want to know how many members of your party will be having a treatment done. The more you have, the less the cost per person will be, and some companies will not come to you unless you have a certain number of guests. Another option would be to hire students who are either studying in the field or have just graduated. Their prices would be far less, and they would welcome the experience.
   Here a couple of mobile spa services to check out: www.spaparty.ca and www.thespatreatment.ca.

   If you find the prices to be too out of your budget, it is very easy to set up your own nail bar at home. This would mean that you would have to do each others nails, or if your guests felt so inclined, they could paint their own. It could be a lot of fun and a great ice breaker too! All you need to do is set up a small area with a variety of nail colours, nail polish remover, cotton pads, and some fun nail stickers.

   Have another area set up for a pamper yourself station with lotions, sample face masks, oils and plenty of make up wipes or warm towels for easy clean up!

   If the weather happens to be warm and beautiful, why not set up some of these activities outside as well, this way your guests have the freedom to move in and out as they please, and inside won't get too crowded. Set up some seating areas outside too for your guests to relax and mingle.

   Think about playing some soft music in the background to really get the spa-like feel. You can find a lot of options of soothing, spa music on Pandora, You Tube, and I Tunes. Classical music is also a good choice.

   So your moms have been pampered, are fully relaxed and have had a great time. Send them home with a little reminder of the wonderful spa day they had by giving them their own manicure set! A cute little pail filled with all the things needed for an at home manicure/pedicure. In this little pail, there is:
             -toe separator
             -cuticle tool
             -nail polish
             -emery board
             -cuticle trimmer
             -orange stick
             -nail brush

   Add an adorable tag, such as the one pictured below from www.justaddconfetti.com. This was a free downloadable printable, and it's just the cutest!

   You could even add all these items to a mason jar (you know I love mason jars), or a small basket. Really any type of container will work!

   Another cute idea for a take home gift is a simple bottle of good quality nail polish in a fun spring colour! Add a fun tag, such as this one I found as a free downloadable printable from www.polkadotchair.com, and you have a gift every mom is sure to love!

    Isn't this tag (above) adorable? It is mimicked after the Pantone paint chips! Too cute!    

  So your spa party was a success, and all your guests, have left feeling more relaxed, pampered, and perhaps feeling a little more special, spoiled and loved! What a great way to say Thanks Mom!

   Until next time! :)

~A




PRODUCT INFORMATION:

-all manicure products from take home gift found at www.dollartree.com
-cake stand used as display, hand lotion and pink nail polish from www.dollarama.com   
-make up wipes, facial mask packets from www.dollartree.com