When I get invited to someone’s house for dinner, I try to bring a hostess gift, although I never feel like I have to.
I like to take a baked item, or flowers from the yard, or maybe vegetables from my garden.
If neither are in season, I’ll stock up on dish towels, bottles of soap, or even paper napkins, to be able to give as small gifts.
OR if I’m running short of time, I know that with my friends, a hug will do!
It’s my 3rd year of writing and recording part of my life, here on Reluctant Entertainer, and my passion is as strong today as it was 3 years ago. My friend Barb encouraged me to start a blog, to write about hospitality, and look at what has happened!
My first post on RE:
… with the best intentions, many of us think about entertaining, but never get around to it. Usually this happens because we don’t have enough time, we’re disorganized or our spouse isn’t interested in hosting a party, or even a small dinner! For many this blessing of gracious living for both the host and her guests never takes place because of fear … fear of failure, unable to cook, unwilling to share their lives with others, fear of deepening friendships … they are intimidated and think the meal has to be perfect, or … they don’t have the lifestyle that says, “welcome.”
I’ve been blessed by RE readers and their comments and heartfelt emails on a daily basis, saying RE has made a difference in their lives.
This giveaway is for YOU! To say thank you!
COMMENT TO WIN
Tell me your favorite hostess gift to give or receive?
MORE CHANCES
Tweet about it (1 extra chance) or post on your blog (2 extra chances), but make sure and come back and tell me!
WHAT TO WIN
The winner will receive in the mail the above package – a gift from me to you to enjoy!
~ Wacky Jackie Cake Mix (Butte Creek Mill, made right in my town)
~ Pumpkin Bread Mix (oh, delicious, just like Wacky Jackie)
~ Meyer Dish Soap (basil scent – my favorite, thanks to my friend, Steph)
~ Fall napkins – perfect for entertaining
~ Plant holder (for your front door!)
WHEN TO WIN
The winner will be announced this Sunday!
Here’s another THANK YOU and a BIG HUG, for being a part of my life, some of you having followed RE for almost 3 years!
And Happy Birthday today to my sweet baby girl. Abby is (sniff, sniff) … 13 today! Daddy, Mommy, El and Garrett love you very much, baby girl!
Remember to tell me your favorite hostess gift – to give or receive!?
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Congratulations on three years!!
My favorite hostess gift is a loaf of homemade bread and a jar of specialty jam wrapped in a tea towel. It's an easy standby!
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My favorite hostess gift of give is a jar of my homemade jam!
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Congrats on your anniversary! I really enjoy your blog.
And my youngest daughter turned 13 two weeks ago tomorrow, so I know just how you feel.
God bless you!
~Di
mom2riandkayl at lycos dot com
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Sandy, I have enjoyed your blog so much since I found it over a year ago. And read all your archives too, so I feel like I have been reading since the beginning! Congratulations on three years of helping others overcome the fears of entertaining!
My favorite thing to receive as a hostess gift is a plant, esp an herb that I can cook with. But wine is great too and never goes to waste!
I found a great bowl on the (in)courage site that is black and white on the outside, and the inside is red or blue, with the word "life" around the rim in many different languages. I bought 6 of them and intend to fill them with different things to give as I need a hostess gift. Next weekend I am filling one with pumpkin dip and including some ginger snaps to eat it with! Yummy!
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I think my favorite hostess gift is chocolate. But I wonder about this sometimes. What is the rule for hostess gifts?
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Mt favorite gift is anything homemade….food wise that is! One friend brings me her candied walnuts every year at Christmas and I LOOOOVE them! Pumpkin bread is also a big fav….anything pumpkin, actually:):) Pinky
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PS, congrats on your anniversary and your daughter is beautiful….she looks just like YOU!!!!
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I wrote a post about this giveaway on my blog. My favorite hostess gift is chocolate!
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I love to bring fresh flowers.
Thank you so much!
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i love to give flowers, fancy soaps (dishwashing or nice hand) or a set of barwipes. i use nice fabric ribbon and rewrap them with a great bow.
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Cogratulations for 3 years–LOVE the blog!
My favorite gift is a nice box of tea or loose tea or some homemade soaps.
couponingincriticaltimes AT gmail DOT com
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I'd say flowers- on either end! They can be such an unexpected lift to your day!
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Congratulations on 3 years!
My favorite gift to give is a all-in-one tea steeper/mug set along with a set of teas. If I am crunched for time, a bottle of wine does the trick as well!
kufishy(at)gmail(dot)com
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To give…it depends on if and how well I know the hostess. Usually a Yankee Candle or I will bring flowers. I love to receive anything…including a hug!
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I love to bring a bottle of some kind of sparkling drink — sparkling limeade in the summer or cider in the fall or other special sparkling fruit drink. Who can't help but love an sparkling drink!
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I tweeted about it and posted it on my blog which also auto updates my facebook page
Susan
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HI, Sandy, big congrats on 3 years, didn't realize it had been that long. You're about 4 mos. ahead of me. So glad we met!
I dont' have a fave hostess gift, but if I did, it would probably be something homemade.
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I love flowers or a plant.
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My favorite hostess gift is a bunch of pretty flowers or a bottle of wine. Nice to give and receive!
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congrats, sandy! my favorite things to give AND receive are always edible…
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Congrats on your 3 year anniversary. How wonderful!! I love your blog – it's been so beneficial and encouraging.
I would have to say that anything homemade (and practical)is what I like to receive and so therefore that is what I tend to give. Many friends and families have recieved jars of home canned goods or baked items and such.
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Congrats on your 3 year anniversary. My favorite hostess gift is honey bun casserole for their breakfast. I feel that if someone invites us in their home in the evening, I want them to take it easy that next morning.
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I love giving and receiving hostess gifts, but I don't think I have a favorite either way. I do like to give something that "matches" the hostess in some way — her colors, her tastes, her hobbies, her house. So, I guess I like to receive a gift that "matches" me!
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Congrats on 3 years Sandy. My favorite hostess gift to give or receive is a bottle of wine (with the understanding that it does not have to be served that night in either case). I'd certainly welcome any of the things you mention tho.
Happy birthday to your daughter!
Darla
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Congratulations on your 3 year blog-iversary! Napkins are a favourite gift to receive is probably napkins. I never seem to have that many and it's so nice even with a simple lunch with friends to have seasonal napkins!
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My favorite gifts to either give or receive are a bottle or wine and/or fresh flowers! Congrats on 3 years!
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It may sound cliche, but my favorite hostess gift is flowers.
Congratulations on three years! I thoroughly enjoy your blog. I blogged about your giveaway, too! I'm keeping my fingers crossed – maybe this time!
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happy Birthday Abby!
deb meyers
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Congratulations on three years!
I love to give a small candle or a funky bar of homemade soap, or a sweet baked something!
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Congrats on 3 years.My favorite hostess gift to get is dish towels and good dish liquid.Makes the cleaning up a little happier.
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Congratulations on your 3rd year!
I stock up on cute dish towels. I'll take the host family a loaf of home made bread, a bottle of wine or a jar of pickled jalapenos wrapped in one of the towels.
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Congratulations on 3 years! My favortie hostess gifts to bring are flowers, a plate of freshly baked cookies, a pound of coffee or a bottle of wine. Thank you for all of the great ideas and inspiration you give here on your blog!
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Wow! Congrats on making it 3 years. I'm coming up on my 3rd year pretty soon.
I've truly enjoyed your blog and get inspired every time I read it! Keep up the good work.
My favorite hostess gift to give is a small plant. As far as receiving one, I believe whatever effort they put into bringing, I will love it no matter what!
Hugs to you Susan!
Kim
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Congrats on the blogaversary! I love your blog and all your words of encouragement.
I love to take either baked goods or sets of paper products (matching dessert plates and napkins, etc.)
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We are wine people– we don't go anywhere without a bottle of wine (or two) for the host and for the guests to enjoy.
I'm new to your site within the last couple of weeks and really enjoy it. Thank you for the giveaway!
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Bottle of wine or a smelly candle…it's what I give and what I like to get!
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I have special spice grinders i pick up in Italy… everyone loves them.
Happy 3 yrars!
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Congrats on 3 years!!!!
4th of July I always carry the host flowers and some fresh fruit.
New years eve I always take something for the host like VS lotion.I'm very allergic to Bath and Body works and can't even handle their bottles so it has to be VS lotion.
I have never got a hostess gift but my fav. would have to be seasonal dish,white or seasonal platter,something gourmet like seasoning
after reading everyone else's ideas I'll add wine or champagne,pack of hollyhock seeds,nice olive oil
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I love the old standby of fresh flowers. So often, we don't buy them for ourselves, but nearly everyone enjoys them so much! It's like bringing a "special treat."
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Flowers are always nice or a candle is nice too.
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I love to give a really great jar type candle in a seasonal fragrance. This past week we had a lovely dinner with some friends. I remembered to buy the most lovely bouquet of fall flowers. But, then forgot them in the van! Yes, I sent my husband out to get them an hour after we arrived. Still much appreciated though!
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Happy 3 years!
My favorite gift to give and recieve is flowers or candles – especially if you know which is the favorite.
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I buy handmade soaps from a farmers market and give them in a little wooden tray.
Robin
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I try to take small gifts that fit the host/hostess. Sometimes it might be baked items, specialty tea or coffee, or a plant or flowers. If possible, I like to make something so if they like coffee or tea I might make a mug cosy or a reusable mug sleeve that I line with insulbrite.
Love your blog. Congrats on 3 years!
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Congrats on three years, Sandy!! That's terrific!!!
I think a trivet or a dish towel is a nice gift, or a homemade treat …
Suzanne
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Honestly, I don't give or receive many hostess gifts, but I almost always hand write a good old thank you note. I think those always mean so much!
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First off, Happy Birthday to Abby!
Second, Congratulations on 3 years! My favorite hostess gifts are flowers, or homebaked breads and goodies.
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will you help? only 43 more needed!!
http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/10/coincidence-i-dont-thing-so.html
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congratulations. I've gotten loads of house gifts and while they were wonderful and useful, it's always the dish towels that make my day. Such a simple gift but as I use them I remember when I got them and who gave them to me. I don't have any sort of theme, I just love them.
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New here. Great blog! Darcy sent me. She's fab.
Hostess gifts. What a novel idea. I do so little entertaining with homeschooling, blogging, and keeping up with a 7 month old.
I would LOVE to entertain and cook. I just got my first apron. I would just say "bring yourself" if someone would come over for dinner… but I can't deny that I love it when someone brings a dish to go with dinner… my good friend likes to bring baked artichoke dip and tortilla chips when she comes over to our house.
Dish towels are cute. Even fresh cut roses from your back yard would be wonderful. You could dress it up and get rid of one of the vases under your cabinet you never use – and that scrapbooking ribbon that is collecting dust in your hall closet.
Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe I'll cut some roses next time I go to a friend's for lunch or dinner!
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