A couple weeks ago my husband and I were invited to my cousin’s new home on the river. Since we’re in Oregon, and it was January, of course it was dreary and raining, but we loved our time eating together in their cozy home (I like to think of it as a cabin).
When we get dinner invites, I love to bring a small gift, a little something to say thank you to the hostess.
So many call these gifts “hostess gifts.” I like to think of them as “love gifts.” Is it essential to bring something every time? Nope. But are they fun to give? Yup!
This time I wrapped the gifts in a new kitchen towel.
I stock up on good quality towels from TJ Maxx or Ross, and keep on hand for gifts. Butternut Banana Bread for Aaron, and some gluten-free chocolate treats for Peggy.
Hospitality can be so simple.
Sweet and loving.
A little gift that says, thank you.
And it’s really fun to personalize a treat for each person.
For him.
For her.
Luckily, using the leftover Butternut Banana Mash from dinner the other night, I was able to make up a new recipe. I usually make 4 loaves – a few to give away, and one for us to enjoy!
Do you ever give baked or homemade hostess gifts as thank you’s when you are invited out to dinner?
Recipe: Butternut Banana Bread {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Summary: Tasty, moist bread using Butternut Banana Mash, but you can also substitute for straight mashed bananas.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups mashed Butternut Banana Mash (print out recipe, here)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray loaf pan(s) with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix all ingredients together and stir with a wooden spoon. Pour into the loaf pan(s).
- Bake 35-50 minutes, depending on the size of the loaf pan(s), or until done.
- This recipe makes 4 small loaves or 1 large loaf. Adjust cooking time depending on size of pans.
Preparation time: 20 minute(s)
Cooking time: 35 minute(s)
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
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I’m curious as to how the gifts are accepted. I’d give such a gift as a housewarming or if a friend had been sick, but I’d never give baked goods as a hostess gift. To me, giving something like this would mean I was suggesting that the hostess couldn’t cook. The most I’ve given is chocolate covered strawberries or biscotti, but never a cake.
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This sounds incredible – what a smart use of the leftover mash!
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Not really. Within our group of friends dinner is never a “just bring yourself” event ~ we are ALWAYS asked to bring a part of the meal. I don’t mind it and get that it keeps the cost down but I’m not particularly inclined to bring part of the meal, a bottle of wine AND a hostess gift. If it were truly us being invited over for a meal prepared by the host & hostess I’d consider baking something but would most likely play down that I had baked it JUST for hostess gifts.
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Love giving hostess gifts. Don’t do it all the time but I either buy something simple or bring some homemade jam etc.. The other night we were invited into the home of a young couple who are hilarious and fun, so we were going to stop and get them a little something as a gift. Our girls said “we should get them a fish”….because we know this couple, we knew they’d get a kick out of it. The hubby travels often so the girls named the betta fish “Ed” and said it was to keep her company when he goes out of town. They loved it. We wouldn’t typically do something like this but knew with this couple we could.
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I always take a gift for the host/hostess. It’s usually a bottle of wine or a favorite candle. I love your idea of wrapping homemade baked goods in a new kitchen towel. I may steal your idea the next time I am invited to dinner!
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This is a great idea, Sandy! It’s amazing how simple hospitality can make such a difference. When we moved into our new house, our new neighbors brought some pumpkin bread to us…such a nice way to bring a smile to our faces!
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What a perfect way to liven up ordinary banana bread, I love it!!!!
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Since we were on the receiving end of this gift, I will say it was perfect for us. I have to eat GF, so Aaron was thrilled to have ‘normal’ bread, since we don’t have any gluten in the house anymore. Sandy told me where she got the chocolates, I bought a bag to enjoy. However Aaron ate most of them.
I love that towel. I buy only 100% cotton towels but find some of them need ironing….which is a drag. This one came out of the dryer so nice. I will buy more! Thank you Sandy.
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Twitter: bellalimento
says:
What a great way to use up leftovers!
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Twitter: unsophisticook
says:
I would love to receive a sweet hostess gift like this!
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I love how you’re always giving of yourself. Love, love, love.
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Twitter: sherriohler
says:
I love banana bread and this looks even more delicious with the addition of butternut squash! YUM
Thanks for the recipe Sweet Sandy
xo,
Sherri
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Twitter: tablefortwoblog
says:
I totally love getting and giving gifts to hostesses/hosts! It’s a real token of appreciation, especially if it’s homemade!! I love how giving you are and how you’re always thinking of others when entertaining
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Twitter: missnthekitchen
says:
Love this bread and you are so kind to bring homemade gifts and wrapped in a nice towel is a great idea! I still think you must be the best neighbor/friend ever!
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This is a very cute way to express your banana bread recipe!
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I love giving food. What a wonderful way to show your hosts that you are thinking of them, too.
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