7 Great Gift Ideas for Your Host

Spending a day or two in the home of a friend or relative can be fun for both host and guest. But finding the perfect take-along gift for your host or hostess is sometimes a frustrating chore.

Entertainment and etiquette maven Martha Stewart suggests seven proven favorites. Choose one that reflects what you know about your host's personal preferences:

Coasters and a bottle of wine - Tie a pack of cork or other practical coasters together with a colorful ribbon and present it with your choice of wine or liquor.

Tea basket - Is your hostess a tea drinker? Pack two or three tins or boxes of rare teas, arranged in a bed of shredded tissue, in an inexpensive wicker basket.

Vintage books - A couple of vintage cookbooks, gardening books, or books on your host's pet interest or hobby are sure to be a welcome gift. Browse a used book store and tie the books together with ribbon.

Candles - Choose a box or two of odorless tapers in a variety of sophisticated colors. Sure to please any dinner party host.

Herbs and spices - A selection of rare or more exotic cooking herbs and spices, such as Saigon cinnamon, smoked serrano chile pepper, Chinese Five Spice or herbs de Provence should please any devoted home cook.

Homemade foods from your heritage - Bake or cook a batch of your favorite soup, bread, cookies or any dish from your heritage and present it with a copy of your treasured recipe.

Quick bread - A loaf of quick bread made from a mix won't tax anyone's baking skills. But baked in a pretty, reusable loaf pan, or in a disposable pan, wrapped in a plastic wrap and tied with a ribbon, it's a heartfelt gesture to please any host.

By Barbara Pronin. Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. c2017. All rights reserved


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