Summer means cookouts and garden parties galore. What better way to show your appreciation for a fun summer get together than a hostess gift?
Make a point to avoid boring hostess gifts this year—pass on the candles or basic bottle of wine. Your host or hostess will use these 10 creative yet thoughtful gifts all summer long.
Zambezi Servers, $27
Thank your host or hostess by giving something they’ll use at every party they’ll ever throw. Pick a plain, simple color or go exotic with Peachtree Place’s Zambezi Servers. These utensils are are made from bamboo, wood and horn and make for great summer tools. Peachtree Place, 303 South Happ Road, Northfield, 847-441-7585 (Pictured above.)
Paper Source Stationery, prices vary
In today’s technology-driven society, it’s a special treat to receive a handwritten note via snail mail. What better gift than personalized stationery? Paper Source has all sorts of fun colors, patterns and options to choose from. You can even customize it for your host or hostess with their monogram or name. If you’re not too keen on stationery, Paper Source also carries return-address stamps or labels—a perfect way to thank your host! Paper Source, 2100 Central St., Evanston, 847-733-8830; 490 Central Ave., Highland Park, 847-266-6100
Photo via Facebook.
Butterfly Salad Bowls, $85 for four bowls
Summer means fresh, delicious salads. Give your host or hostess something they can use every day this summer: beautiful wooden salad bowls. Material Possessions carries this fantastic set of salad bowls that will play as a beautiful backdrop to your green masterpiece. Material Possessions, 954 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, 847-446-8840
New Yorker Chateau Paper Cocktail Napkins, $6 for package of 20
The New Yorker has just come out with a line of their famous cartoons, but this time on napkins! This fun hostess gift will keep guests entertained and laughing throughout the night. You’ll be laughing as you face the difficult decision of which cartoon to choose as your gift. Sur La Table, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Suite L12, 847-568-1210
Summer is the perfect time for cold, refreshing drinks outside. What better way to say thank you to your host or hostess with this Campagne Striped Pitcher. This red and white ceramic pitcher will allow your host to serve many happy guests this hot summer. Maze Home, 735 Elm St., Winnetka, 847-441-1115
Hanging Mason Jar, $10
Pottery Barn’s Hanging Mason Jar is a charming, innovative look for this summer. Throw a candle along with some sand, sea glass, acorns, shells or any other summery item into the jar and hang them outside for a perfect summer look for their next summer bash. Pottery Barn, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 847-673-8416; 1850 Second St. Highland Park, 847- 681-9873
The New Wine Country Cookbook, $24
“The New Wine Country Cookbook” is a great gift for your host this summer. This fun cookbook contains 120 wine-friendly recipes from the central coast. A perfect way to change up the host or hostess’ cooking this summer! Barnes and Noble, 55 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 847-676-2230; The Perfect Setting, 760 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest, 847-234-9145
Slate Cheese Board , $25
This slate cheese tray is great for serving appetizers such as grapes, crackers, almonds and—of course—cheese. Your host will love labeling what’s presented on the tray with the included soapstone chalk—and guests will thank you! Top Shelf Living
Local shopping destination Peachtree Place sells beautiful and unique beaded napkin rings in red, black, orange, yellow and seagreen. These hand-made rattan baskets are made of water vines that take up to a week to hand-weave into the finished design. These napkin rings are perfect for summer and will complement anyone’s table setting. Peachtree Place, 303 South Happ Road, Northfield, 847-441-7585
DIY Hostess Gift:
Sparkly Champagne (or Wine!) Bottle
Prices vary depending on type of Champagne or Wine
Want to gift something homemade? Jazz up a champagne bottle by covering it in glitter! This is an easy and fun way to thank the host for a great summer get together.
What you’ll need:
- Champagne or wine bottle
- Modge Podge (or spray-on glue)
- Application brush (preferably foam—able to throw away and an easy clean up!)
- Glitter
- Spray Laquer: Make sure to seal your bubbly artwork so that they glitter doesn’t make a mess!
- Painters Tape
How to:
1. Feeling extra crafty? Use blue painter’s tape to create a fun pattern or a border around the label.
2. Using the application brush, paint Modge Podge onto the bottle wherever you want glitter to be placed.
3. To avoid a messy clean up, place your bottle over newspaper and sprinkle glitter over the Modge Podge. Depending on how much glitter you want, you can also do a second coat.
4. Allow the bottle to dry for two hours before applying the sealer. Be sure to spray the sealer outside!
Photos courtesy of each company.
