Hostess Gift Ideas

A hostess usually puts her heart and soul into making her party enjoyable for all her guests. Here are some gift ideas to show her your appreciation:

Sweet Relief

Present your hostess with a set of luxurious toiletries to help soothe the anxiety and excitement that comes with planning a gathering. Here, a simple box lined with a cloth contains small indulgences such as scented bar soaps, bath salts, bath gel, lotion, candles, and tea bags.

A Good Morning

A healthy breakfast is often the last thing on your hostess's mind when she's planning a night of entertainment. Line a basket with vintage tea towels and fill it with everything they need to start the day off right -- coffee, tea, milk, sugar, orange juice, scones, butter, and marmalade. All they have to do is find the kettle and French press to recover from the festivities.

Jam Gift Package

This small, thoughtful gift is a good way to thank a hostess. Wrap two loaves of your favorite crusty bread (we like French baguettes) in a linen dish towel, and top with a jar of homemade jam. Tie them together with a colorful ribbon to match the towel, securing a wooden spreader in the knot of the bow.



Tea Sachets and Gift Box

Put a pretty, personalized spin on a gift of assorted teas. Make sachets to fill with a mix of favorite loose teas (or create custom blends from dried herbs and edible flowers, such as mint and hibiscus). Add tags, and place in a gift box.

Put a pretty, personalized spin on a gift of assorted teas. Make sachets to fill with a mix of favorite loose teas (or create custom blends from dried herbs and edible flowers, such as mint and hibiscus). Add tags, and place in a gift box.

Tools and Materials

Loose tea
Cheesecloth, cut into
8-inch squares
Cotton string
Scissors
Craft punches in different shapes
Card stock, plain or patterned
Hole punch or screw punch
Gift box
Craft glue

Make the Tea Bags

1. Choose loose teas, and create desired blends. Place 2 tablespoons toward top edge of a cheesecloth square.

2. Roll up cheesecloth. Gather ends of bundle to create a pouch, and tie closed with cotton string. Repeat to create more tea bags.

3. Make a tag for each flavor using craft punches and card stock. Punch a hole in the center of each tag. Thread tea-bag strings through each tag, and knot.

Make the Gift Box

1. Cut 2 rectangles from card stock to fit inside top and bottom of gift box. Snip corners to create flaps. Glue bottom rectangle inside box.

2. Use craft punches and card stock to cut out more tags. Glue tags to top card-stock rectangle, and label. Glue to inside lid of box.

Lucky Plant Gift
Wish someone an auspicious new year with a jade plant, an easy-care succulent that's said to bring prosperity.

To wrap the pot, place it on a square sheet of decorative paper. Bring up two opposite corners, and secure to the pot with double-sided tape.
Fold the other two flaps as shown; tape. Tie gold cord around the pot

Machine-Embroidered Felt Coasters

You only need tiny bits of fabric and some colorful thread to make these machine-embroidered coasters, which make lovely hostess gifts.

-Martha Stewart