I just thought of this idea the other day when my grocery store had smallish poinsettias on sale. They're nice to place in a corner or on the counter to add a bit of "holiday." I like the white ones because they can still be wintry after the holidays are over.

Not very original, but I always liked receiving holiday tea/dish towels. That's not something I'd buy for myself, but have enjoyed using them at Christmas - so I guess I tend to think that others would too. That's something that I'll use during the season and I don't feel guilty if they get too stained to keep, and I have to toss them.

I also like peppermint bark, so maybe a tin of that with a couple of pretty, folded towels in a gift bag.

Williams-Sonoma has some festive towels, and they also carry the peppermint bark!

I usually buy pretty paper cocktail napkins, place them on an interesting square plate and tie it up with a big bow. Orchids are in season in December and relatively inexpensive. Put one in a decorative planter and it makes a showy hostess gift. If you have a little extra time, personalized paper coasters can be ordered from Zazzle and other places. Again, tie them up with a luxe bow for presentation. My newest favorite thing is candy from Sugarfina.

The last few years, almost all my hostess gifts have been specialty spices or pantry items. We have a couple of local small businesses for that are great for those kinds of gifts-- one that sells a wide range of oils and vinegars as well as interesting gourmet items.. another that makes great artisanal spice blends... the local farm markets have a wide range of interesting organic and specialty items.

I rarely take wine unless asked-- I just don't know enough about wine to feel like I will choose one I am confident is gift worthy. I did give a bottle of fig vodka to a friend who had me in for dinner-- but it was awkward because it didn't work with the meal she'd prepared. I had bought it months prior with her in mind but it just hadn't crossed my mind that she'd feel beholden to serving it.

I used to keep a couple of boxes of the Williams-Sonoma peppermint bark and mariebelle's hot chocolate "just in case".

This thread reminded me that last year one of the local markets had really inexpensive rosemary and lavender trees before the holidays. I think the trees would make great hostess gifts.. they both smell so lovely!

I'd just put it in a nice pot and add a bow and a card with a great recipe using rosemary -- but you could decorate it as much or as little as you wanted.

Not sure anything new, but I always appreciate dish towels, scented or holiday candles, really good dark chocolate, a pair of pretty mugs, note cards, and this year, I'm giving out crystal santa ornaments which I got for a song from the Swarovski outlet. They are so cute and can work on a tree or on something else. I did receive a rosemary plant, like above and I planted it outside and so far so good.

I'm going to a small gathering tomorrow and was going to bring a krystal ornament of sorts but changed my mind when I saw a really pretty set of towels for the bathroom, (a hand and a finger towel) and got those instead. The hostess recently remodeled her bathroom(s) and these will fit perfectly in the guest bath

It depends on how well you know the hostess, but I went to a baby shower...not quite the same I know.... and game prizes were a facial mask and nail polish. Anything along those lines for a little pampering....hand lotion, fancy soap, night cream, fancy shampoo and conditioner, etc.. Lots of beauty gift sets available this time of year.

A little Penzey's spice gift box for the cook. Other ideas are a bottle of finishing olive oil or balsamic vinegar.

Another bottle of nice wine will never go unappreciated to someone who enjoys it.

If they enjoy beer, get them a mixed 6-pack, or perhaps a growler.

A tin or jar of homemade spiced nuts or other delights.

Whatever you bring, make sure it doesn't need any special attention (like flowers needing a vase), doesn't clash with the decor, won't be a danger to pets (poinsettia), or be expected to be consumed at the event.

I always predeliver flowers from a local florist the day of a dinner party. This way the hostess does not need to find a place to set my gift or awkwardly open a gift while busy hosting.

I learned that from Roarah last year, and I think it is so much nicer than walking in with something.

In a similar vein, i now sometimes send a little hostess gift after. That way I have a better idea of what to send, and it is not given in front of others.

So many good ideas here, thank you! I like them all. I think I'm going to pick up a few of them to have on hand so I can be ready at a moment's notice. I also love the fresh flowers/plants idea for when I have time to plan ahead. I am adding a memo on my phone right now with this list of items so I don't have to sweat it the next time I need a gift idea. :)

Our local Lowes had the rosemary trees and beautiful good sized blooming Christmas cactuses.

Has anyone been successful with those rosemary trees in the winter? I bought one and wanted to keep it alive until I could plant it in later spring, but it just crapped out on me ;-(

Be aware that poinsettias are poison to dogs and cats if your hosts have pets. We get Christmas Cactus instead.

A nice tea basket is nice if your hosts like tea. Tea Forte w/ the little tea pyramids are always good.

A nice bar of special soap, or a prettily done up bag of Chex party mix - both are always popular. Don't worry about originality - it really is the thought that counts.

Has anyone been successful with those rosemary trees in the winter?

I've received a few and used them in cooking. A few weeks later, they looked nothing like that carefully manicured mini-tree, so I never thought to make them last past winter. I think it depends upon whether culinary rosemary is an annual or perennial where you live. (They seem to be annuals by me.)

I think unless the rosemary bush is quite large, it dies away in the winter here. I have a few rosemary plants in a planter that I hope will last through winter this year.

I brought this up in the food basket thread, but Trader Joe's has 2 times right now that could work as unique hostess gifts. They have a maple syrup that was stored in barrels used for aging bourbon and they also have a rainbow of honey sampler with 6 different honeys from different areas of the world including a sunflower honey from the Ukraine. Eucalyptus honey from Argentina, Macadamia from America and Mimosa from Brazil.

Flowers, or Harry & David items, esp. fruit.

I try to avoid "things" that people may or may not like, or will need to store.

A couple of times when we've hosted a party, friends brought a breakfast treat (biscotti made locally, scones) for the next morning, which I thought was a great idea.

Fancy chocolates are nice.

This is not appropriate for all (most? LOL) but because I know them very well, I'm bringing this lovely wine stopper with a bottle of our friend's favorite wine to a party this month.

That is surely a happy wine stopper, lol!

Actually, poinsettias are not poisonous to pets. That's a rumor that's been around for a very long time, and I believed it to be true until just recently. If ingested by dogs, cats, or children, poinsettias may cause a bit of GI distress or skin irritation, but they are not toxic.

Really ? I had always heard not to get poinsettias because that can make them sick!

I just googled it and it looks like it is just likely to cause stomach upset, at most, and not be serious. Did not know that, I have been laboring under a misconception for years! Thanks Ida!

I really love that idea 2pups.