Holidays are approaching and chances are you will be receiving a few party invitations. So we think if you plan ahead, you can create a Hostess Gift worth giving. Make-ahead gifts are great for the hostess of a party or that unexpected gift giver that was not on your list. So here are some simple ways to make everyone think that you spent months planning and creating the perfect gift!
Christmas Door Cone
It can hang on any interior door to add to the Holiday spirit.
Directions:
1 piece of 8” square heavy weight paper (we used red); roll the paper tightly into a cone shape, and glue into place. Take a piece of decorative ribbon and wind it up the cone gluing in place. Make a loop of ribbon, at least 18” long (so you can slip it over the doorknob. Glue the loop onto either side of the cone. Insert a small piece of Styrofoam into the cone below the top. We purchased 2 Christmas picks and secured them into the Styrofoam. A simple yet fun gift!
Battery Operated Decorated Candle
Directions:
We took one of our great Ballard Battery Operated Candles (AW089) in the 8” size and purchased a Holiday Pick of evergreen , pinecone and berries at the local craft store. Place the pick on the candle and wind butcher’s twine around the pick and candle until it is stationary. Tie off the twine leaving enough to knot the bottom of the ends of twine. In minutes, you have a gift anyone would love to receive.
Holiday Recipe Box
Directions:
We found this adorable red and black tin at a local craft store ($2.99 on sale). We used some lettering to print “Recipes” across the top of the tin. A holiday pick (we loved the bird on it) was hot glued to the upper corner. Around the middle of the tin, we hot glued a decorative ribbon. As an added bonus, we purchased some recipe cards and wrote down our favorite Holiday recipes. What hostess would not want a special tin to house her favorite recipes for the holidays as well as adding to her recipe library?
Specialty Olive Oil Wrapped in Tea Towel
Directions:
We found a very special olive oil that we love and thought it would make a great hostess gift. A red and white striped tea towel was the perfect wrap for the olive oil. We rolled the bottle in the tea towel securing it around the neck with a rubber band. Then raffia was wrapped covering the rubber band and we added another holiday pick for a festive touch. To secure the bottom of the tea towel, we used a dot of hot glue to hold it in place. A special olive oil can add such flavor to any dish. We know your hostess will love cooking with it!
Scented Kitchen Candle
Directions:
We purchased a scented candle in a glass jar with a lid on it. To make it festive, we cut a piece of fabric in a circle (4” larger than the lid) with pinking shears. Use a rubber band to secure the fabric around the lid of the jar and cover the rubber band with a decorative ribbon. Using hot glue, we added a holiday pick to the lid for that special touch. Who would not want a festive, scented candle to sit on their counter for some added holiday spirit.
French Document Picture Frame
Directions:
We purchased an unfinished wood frame at a craft store along with a clear glue-like substance called Modge Podge. We used a piece of our Document Gift Wrap (AM932) and tore it into small pieces. With a disposable foam brush, we covered a small section of the frame with the Modge Podge and covered the back of the torn wrapping paper with it too. Then we positioned the paper on the frame – very randomly, some at an angle, some sideways. Once the entire frame was covered with the wrapping paper, we coated the frame with two coats of Modge Podge allowing each coat to dry in between. We just loved the look of the completed frame. Your hostess will love placing a special picture in a frame you created just for her!
A Box of Warmth
Directions:
When we were out and about we came across a beautiful decorative holiday box. We knew we could find something to do with it. Hot chocolate on a cold, night – what could be better! We lined the box with tissue paper, added a gourmet tin of hot chocolate, a large white cup and a bag of miniature marshmallows tied up with a ribbon. This is a gift that is simple to assemble, but it is filled with warm holiday wishes.
