Showing posts with label Hostess Gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hostess Gifts. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Graceful Hostess Tip:
When Asked, Bring Your Signature Dish

Graceful Hostess Tips
Ideas for hosting with style and elegance

At pot-luck events, you have the opportunity to exhibit graceful hostess skills even if you're not the organizer. This is especially true when you're asked to bring one of your signature dishes.  If at all possible, say, "Yes!"

If someone makes a special request, it's because they love your dish, the way you present it, and possibly even how it livens the crowd.  So, be flattered, and try to oblige.

Yesterday was our Thanksgiving lunch at work, and I was asked to bring my famous Fruit Tea by the lunch's organizer, Linda.  Fruit Tea is not exactly a perfect fit for a fall gathering, but I was thrilled to receive the special request.  I found a way to make the tea fit in with the festivities by decorating my dispenser with a cute little fall label that I hand-stamped with a little acorn in fall colors.

Thanksgiving Punch Fruit Tea

Thanksgiving Menu Card Label

I wish you could see how excited my co-worker Linda is on days when I bring in Fruit Tea!  There's a lot of clapping. giggling with excitement, and a special Fruit Tea dance....that's right, a Fruit Tea DANCE!!!  This time I wanted to do something a special to make the Fruit Tea happiness last a few days longer.  I made a little gift pitcher for Linda, so she could take home all of the leftover Fruit Tea.

Pitcher with Hand-stamped Tag for Hostess Gift

My husband used a Dremel to drill a small hole in the pitcher's handle big enough for a binder clip.  I thought a binder clip would be a perfect way to attach the sparkly handmade "Property of" tag to the pitcher, so it could be easily removed when the pitcher needs to be washed.  Plus, the clip will let Linda attach the tag to whatever she needs (luggage, cake carrier, etc.).  I also had the tag laminated, so it won't get damaged by condensation or drips.

Property of Tag for Hostess Gift

So, what's your signature dish?

Monday, July 12, 2010

Fast & Simple Handmade Gift Idea

Sometimes you want to give a special handmade gift, but there's no time to make something completely from scratch.  Here's a fast and easy idea for packaging a store-bought edible gift in super special handmade way.


Dollar Tree has a lot of inexpensive containers that make perfect serving dishes for candy and nuts, which is where I found this cute star-shaped container. For this edible gift, I purchased 1.25 lbs of Imperial smoked nuts from The Fresh Market, which taste fantastic, and placed them inside a cello bag fitted inside the star dish.


I made a simple hand-cut tag with a rubber-stamped design.  Normally, I would stop right there, but I needed to include a special note with this gift that couldn't be missed.  I created a coordinating tiny note card with the same ribbon and orange paper as the tag. 


As you can see, it's simple without a lot of fuss, but it was made with lots of love nonetheless.

Wouldn't this be perfect for a hostess gift or teacher gifts!



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