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It's the presentation that matters.
Who hasn't dashed out the door to a party, only to turn around in a flurry, realizing you forgot a host gift? You quickly dart to the fridge, rummaging through for a bottle of wine that looks nice enough to gift. You say a quick prayer, hoping this friend isn't the one who gave you that bottle of sauvignon blanc. But even if they were, who would remember? Host gifts sometimes feel like a merry-go-round of wine bottles, with the same few staying in rotation.
So when a host gift shows up that breaks the chain of wine bottles, people take notice. I certainly did. A friend came over for a dinner party—something I've tried to turn into a regular occasion, with a different guest list each month—and, rather than show up with a wine bottle, she brought the tiniest little brown paper gift bag with a wax seal gift tag and an even tinier box tied with a ribbon inside. This lovely, though incredibly simple, packaging held a luxurious little candle. It was so elegant, but so understated. And I noticed it because it wasn't a bottle of wine.
And here's what it made me realize about putting together the perfect host gift.
It's All In The Presentation
There's an argument to be made that what's inside matters less than the thought and the presentation. A charming bow, a wax seal stamp on the gift tag, and a darling little bag elevate even the most quotidien of items. The minute you hand one of these tiny bags to the host, they'll know you took a few extra minutes to create something beautiful. When she's going through the effort of hosting a lovely event for friends, that token is appreciated.
Choose Something That's Easy To Have On Hand
A candle is often the go-to for a non-wine host gift, but there are so many other petite gift ideas that you can fit in a tiny gift bag. And I do think tiny is key. Tiny feels approachable. It doesn't feel awkward for the host They don't have to find a place to put it while scurrying to make you a drink. They can just set it aside and come back to open it later, delighting in what they find inside.
Whatever you pick, make sure it's something that's easy to have on hand and that most people will enjoy. Ideally, you want to have a backstock of said item so you can easily grab it whenever you're invited to a friend's home for dinner or cocktail hour. It doesn't need to be expensive! Think finishing salt, olive oil, a box of candies, or a small jar of local honey. Edible, usable, and consumable items are always appreciated.
Prep The Pieces Ahead Of Time
The best part is, this gifting is simple and you can work ahead. Pick up a bulk pack of mini bags, a custom wax seal from Etsy, blank gift tags, some crinkle cut paper, and a roll of ribbon. Then work ahead. Set aside an hour, put wax seals on a dozen gift tags, and cut and string the ribbon through them.
Depending on the type of space you have at home, go ahead and assemble each bag. If you're short on storage, the gift tag prep alone will save you time, then store them in a box with the crinkle cut paper, bags, and your host gift of choice.
I can't guarantee you won't find yourself turning around next time you're sprinting out the door, realizing you forgot a host gift. But, this time, you'll have something to grab other than a bottle of wine.
Read the original article on Southern Living
