Hostess Gifts for the Holidays - Beyond the Bottle of Wine

With the holiday party season in full swing, your social calendar can get very busy. Between finding clothes to wear, booking babysitters, hunting for holiday gifts and managing your everyday life, things can get pretty hectic this time of year. As a result, many of us simply reach for the standard bottle of wine as we walk out the door on our way to a party or dinner at a friend's house. While this is a perfectly acceptable hostess gift, why not do something different this year? Here are some ideas for festive gifts that are sure to impress any hostess this holiday season:

Ornaments Christmas ornaments make lovely hostess gifts. Select a particularly elegant decoration, and present it in a beautiful gift bag or tissue wrapped with a pretty ribbon. I like to shop during the after-Christmas sales at local gift boutiques, where I can usually find very luxurious ornaments on sale at ridiculously low prices (often under $5 each). If I find a great deal, I purchase a few of them and set them aside for the following year. This is a great way to save time and a little money.

Linens This time of year, it is easy to find beautiful cloth napkins and dishtowels at both mega-stores and department stores. These items are available in a number of styles that make it simple to compliment just about anyone's taste, and chances are you can find a selection to choose from no matter what your budget. Simply roll up a few napkins or dishcloths, and tie with a beautiful ribbon. (You can also buy these items on holiday clearance, if you want to plan ahead for next season!)

Candles If you search the isles of your local mega-store, you will surely find a large selection of beautiful candles appropriate for holiday gift-giving. Whether you select a nice scented candle or a pair of elegant tapers, your will have a hostess gift that you can present with pride.