Last Minute Gift Ideas

Christmas season has always been the season of gift-giving, and this extends to the countless holiday gatherings you’ll be attending. Finding the perfect hostess gift ideas can be stressful, especially when it’s last minute. Although it would be nice to find the perfect hostess gift for each party you attend, you probably won’t have that much time to spare. With these last-minute gift ideas, there will be no need to add more pressure to the chaotic season and you’ll be prepared with a gift that is functional, cute and sure to stay out of the frightful re-gift pile!

A Taste of the Season

A staple of Christmastime is baking and decorating Christmas desserts, and these goodies make a great gift too. Plan a day to make cookies or peppermint bark with friends or family, or have a fun little DIY day, and then bring some of the finished goods as gifts to your next party! Whether it’s seasonally decorated sugar cookies, gingerbread men or fudge, any homemade goodies brought as a hostess gift are sure to be a hit. Add an even more festive touch by placing your treats on a new Christmas tray that your hostess can reuse throughout the season.

Incorporating the Senses

While hostess’ houses are sure to be decked out for the season, candles are the perfect way to create an immersive atmosphere that makes people feel like they are living in the middle of Santa’s workshop. Candles that are scented and colored for the season, such as vanilla or cinnamon, are thoughtful Christmas gifts, since these scents can be associated with some of our best seasonal memories. Candles are practical too! Your hostess can use this gift at their next party–or maybe even Christmas day!

Spice it up for the Season

Flowers are a timeless choice for hostess gifts, but why not throw a seasonal touch on them? Poinsettias are a Christmas favorite, but if you are looking for something a little more unique, try a miniature tabletop Christmas tree, pine cone assortments or even winter-themed potpourri in a festive jar. These are sure to exemplify your Christmas spirit and be something your guests will be eager to display.

Capitalize on the Chilly Weather

A great way to give the gift of the season is to find a comfy throw blanket that either matches the hostess’ house or incorporates Christmas designs or colors. This is a thoughtful gift that is sure to be used during Hallmark movie marathons or while reading books by the Christmas tree. Another alternative would be giving festive holiday throw pillows that can be tossed on any couch or chair to enhance the festivity of any home.

Wine…but with a Touch of Christmas

A perfect gift idea for a hostess is a bottle of wine. This works for any gathering throughout the year, but what would be the fun of giving such a basic gift in the middle of the Christmas season? A wonderful tactic to spice up this staple is to decorate the bottle. This can mean lots of approaches depending both on your budget and your time commitment. A great addition is to hang an ornament around the neck of the bottle, especially if you can find an ornament tailored to the hostess’ personality! Other decorating options include wrapping tinsel around the bottle, adding ribbons or even finding a tiny Santa hat to top it off. Regardless of what you do, your decorations will make your gift stand out and be something the hostess is sure to remember for Christmases to come!

It’s all about the Wrapping

It’s Christmas after all! What would a gift be without wrapping paper, bags and bows? Finding Christmas-themed snack tins to put desserts in is a great way to enhance the appeal of your gift. Also, you can’t go wrong with throwing a bow on top of something! Whether you pick up some store-bought bows or know how to make fancy patterns out of ribbons (hats off to you DIY-ers), this is sure to elevate the look of whatever item you are giving and show your appreciation for your host’s generosity.

If you are planning ahead for your parties, you may wish to wrap your hostess gifts ahead of time so you can quickly grab them on your way out instead of adding something to the long list of things you need to get done that day. A perfect way to make generic gifts thoughtful is to add a note to them. Write out affirmations and statements of gratitude to your host to add a personalized touch they are sure to remember and incorporate into the wrapping for the perfect combination.

There are countless gift ideas for a hostess, but these options are sure to please and be remembered throughout the years to come. Also, these don’t need to be limited to just your party hosts. They work great for a number of people on your list, including teachers, daycare providers, neighbors, coworkers, service providers and more. By adding personal touches to the gifts and incorporating the holiday season in any way you can, you can bring even more festivities into the vibe of the party you’re attending.