Summer is a busy time of year with traveling, wedding and baby showers, dinner parties, etc. With all of those events you sometimes are in need of unique hostess gifts…something other than a bottle of wine (although I’m not sure many would complain about that)!
Finding the perfect hostess gift can be tiresome at times. What will they like? Is it their style? Do they already have a hundred of these? I’ve been there and done that.
In order to help you make some quick and easy decisions I have put together a list of items that are sure to impress any hostess!
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
For anyone that loves to bake or cook, spices are perfect. At Spiceology here in Tulsa (The Farm Shopping Center), you can find any spice you could dream up. They have everything from multiple types of cinnamon to seasonings that are named after some of our schools…Sooner Magic, Cowboy Chili, and Golden Hurricane. They even make wrapping easy by using a recipe box! This would be a great gift to put in your luggage for your out of state travels. And it appeals to both the female and male host!
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
Also great for kitchen lovers are dishtowels. This is something that most people don’t purchase on their own…or at least not nice ones that is! A couple of beautiful towels rolled up and tied with ribbon make a great usable gift.
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
Items made out of oilcloth can be very handy for multiple uses. Tatermash (located at 31st & Harvard) in Tulsa has many different prints and colors that can be used to make everything….tablecloths, aprons, diaper bags, cosmetic bags (pictured), and even iPad sleeves (polka dots in the back of the photo). They also do monogramming, so everything is easy to personalize to your special hostess.
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
Another good unisex item would be some handcrafted, all natural soaps. Theraganics (Farm Shopping Center) in Tulsa specializes in these. The owner makes everything in the back of her shop. She has all different types of soaps. Her most popular is the Detox Charcoal Bar (the black bar in the back of the photo). I was so intrigued that I bought one to try out and boy am I impressed! It can be used as an all over soap bar as well as a facial bar that helps with acne. It has a very unique smell and has a nice cooling/tingling effect when you use it. Both my husband and I were pleasantly surprised!
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
Theraganics also has sugar scrubs and bath balls. Another unique item is their Sinus Bath Salt Blend. Great to use in a bath or a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head. This was a great store with a great story as well!
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
For the gardener that you know a potted plant is perfect. Select a unique pot, vase, or metal canister (as pictured) and plant your favorite flower, herb, or succulent. Succulents are great because they are heartier and tend to be easier to care for.
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
Monogramming is a great way to personalize any type of item. The Inviting Place (31st & Harvard) in Tulsa has a line of items that allow you to be creative with colors and patterns. Ice buckets, coasters, glass cutting boards, and plastic serving trays are just a few of their unique items. I love all the patterns! Going with your hostess’s name, family name, or initials is a sure fire way to get a great response.
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
Garden Deva is a sculpture company here in Tulsa (3rd & Trenton). They have a showroom full of many beautiful metal pieces. Garden stakes are another great, and unexpected, hostess gift to give. We really liked the golden driller and thought it would be another great gift to give to someone that doesn’t live in Tulsa…or maybe they use to. Just be sure and pack it in your checked airline luggage! I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be carry-on safe!
photo by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC
And finally, we couldn’t pass up the “Thunder Up” garden stake. With such a great year, this would be perfect for any host or hostess to show their team pride.
As you will notice, most of these gift don’t require any additional wrapping. Just tie a bow around them and voila, you are ready! Another tip is to keep your eyes peeled while browsing the clearance aisles. Gifts like these are easy to stock up on throughout the year as you find a great deal.
Hopefully these suggestions will get you to thinking about creative ways to thank all the hosts and hostesses in your life. I know it did me! With a baby on the way there will be multiple hostess gifts that I need to pick up……..I should probably start NOW!
Check out my segment on Great Day Green Country where I talked about all the items I found!
AlaynaB
Alayna is a lifestyle photographer who also practices commercial and residential interior design. She loves utilizing vibrant color in both her designs and her photography. She also has a passion for travel, seeking out new experiences, places and cultures to capture with her camera and to influence her designs. Alayna married her high school sweetheart and loves to cook, finding joy in family favorites as well as her own creations. A bargain hunter by nature, she thinks that good design can come in all mediums, price points and styles and should be available to everyone.
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Those are awesome! Love how you represented so many local stores!
I’m always looking for unique local items to give as gifts. Thanks for doing the legwork for me
Now I can start my Christmas purchasing.
xo,
Beth
[...] Alayna’s post on Hostess Gifts (or if you’re a local, her appearance on Great Day Green Country to show off the goods)? [...]