Being a Great Guest

What would make a good hostess gift? Sometimes I ponder this thought. I know – why bother of thinking about this stuff – just grab a reasonable bottle of wine off the rack and show up. But sometimes it’s nice to ponder something a little special that will bring up memories of you when your host sees it or looks at you. Also, my theory is that it should be something the host/hostess would like to have but not purchase for themselves.

Here are a few ideas:

A really nice candle like this one from Diptyque. It helps if you know of a particular scent and brand that the host prefers. WARNING – unless you are sure it is one of their favorites do not go this route as an unwanted scent is just that – unwanted! And your role as a guest should never be related to the term unwanted.

Flowers – try to go seasonal with these. Poinsettias for Christmas, tulips in the spring, sunflowers in the summer etc…. Even better a single, pretty flower in this cute bud vase – extremely affordable at $2.95. Snip the flower from your garden or better yet, your neighbour’s!

We can always use an extra dishcloth – and when it is as fabulous as this cupcake from todryfor.com it has to be appreciated!

Is your host an aspiring gourmet? Then buy her some fancy salt. Okay, I know what you are thinking salt is salt – but once you try some fleur de sel or Himalayan pink sea salt, you will be wondering what you have been doing with that blue and white box your whole life!

Of course the best hostess gift is a charming guest!

Creative Correspondance

When I was a kid one of the things that I wanted to be was a greeting card designer. And that was long before I knew about cute places like Papyrus a store that has beautiful cards, many with special embellishments. I always get cards for my mom there because hey, it’s mom and she is worth the $5.99 plus extra postage required for the jeweled tiara or whatever doodad is on the front. (Suddenly my mom turned 70 and she is all about being fabulous – what the heck?)
Sometimes I love simple, sweet design as much as the over the top trimmings so I was really excited to find A Punkin Card Company. I love the bold color combos and cool themes they incorporate – especially the chandeliers and bird cages. I always need some thank you cards on hand for work purposes so I ordered a bunch of these:

Here are some of my other favorites:

I would like to have this black chandelier as my personal stationary! In the meantime, let's say goodbye to August and hello to September.

A Siggnificantly Better Gift Idea

A good friend just asked me for a gift idea for a guy with whom she is not romantically attached or engaged. It came to me very quickly as I scanned my desk. A Sigg water bottle! It’s socially responsible, replaces plastic bottles that take eighty years to decompose, and will encourage your giftee to stay hydrated!

I love that Sigg is good for the environment, everyday useful and incorporates great design. In fact SIGG was incorporated into the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and Backpacker Magazine called it “The world’s toughest water bottle” in 2006.

If you go to http://www.sigg.com/ there are lots of delicious designs to choose from.

If you go to Cafepress you can personalize your own Sigg bottle: http://www.cafepress.com/designer/sigg/?src=hph2

I want to get the white one and have it say "Peace, Love and Diane" in primary colors!