friday feature

it's that time of year again.

the time of year where the invitations start coming in for all the holiday parties.

i love this time of year for lots of reasons. one being that i love to entertain. and two, i love to be entertained! so i thought it'd be appropriate to feature some etsy designers who have the perfect items for hostess gifts.

when we receive an invitation to a dinner, a holiday party or an evening of cocktails, we generally know what to expect from our hosts: a warm welcome and a wonderfully relaxing time. the question is; do our hosts know what to expect from us? assuming we've been invited for our charming personalities, impeccable manners, and winning ways, we can proceed with confidence. our presence is positively anticipated. is a gift expected too? i don't think it's expected! i just look at it as a nice gesture of gratitude for a nice evening out. unless asked to bring something like a bottle of wine, you are not obligated to bring anything but your smiling self. if i have time, i love to plan ahead and gift my hostess. i try to keep it small and simple. it's meant to be a nice gesture. think stocking-stuffer-sized. i tend to stock up on little things here and there throughout the year. it makes it so nice and easy to walk downstairs and grab a little something, tie a cute ribbon on it and take it to my hostess. it's so fun to give!!!

so without further ado....here are some ideas.

how about these? add a little flava flave! i love love love these! this would be such a nice, affordable little gift for a hostess. take one, wrap it in a cellophane bag and tie it up with a cute little ribbon. maybe even add a little tag that says "thanks!" sometimes i think simple is more! these come from the lily bay soap shop on etsy. you can purchase these by the dozen or individually. thanks so much for your creativity lily bay! i love it!

these two ideas come from bellabeedesigns.

she's got lots of cute items, but i particularly love the potholders and cloth napkins. who wouldn't love a nice cheery set of potholders?!?!?! thanks for your super fun stuff bellabee!

this next one....i love love love!

i love the simplicity of the design, and the packaging of course makes it that much better!

this is a precious little white ceramic bowl. hand made and hand-stamped with the words "THANK YOU."perfect on a dresser or desk, to catch jewelry and all of life's little treasures.

this comes from paloma's nest.

she's got lots of other stuff similar to this! i think these are super hostess gifts!

oh! and as a disclaimer, i don't think you have to spend a lot of money on a hostess gift. i think something around $5 is plenty. it's really not the amount of money you spend, but more so the thought that counts!

happy gifting, and hostessing, and all that stuff!

xoxo,

(ah)