[Gift Guide] Hostess Gifts

Many of us will be enjoying the hospitality (aka free food and booze) of others during the holiday season. Bring a little something with you so you don't look like a complete jerk.

 

magnetic kitchen timer: make sure she doesn't burn the cupcakes you insisted she make you with this subtle reminder. $12. 

recipe cards: Write down a few of your own recipes and hand them off to a bad cook. $12.

ice bucket: giving someone an ice bucket ensures that they'll have to get you drunk at some point during the evening. $14.99. 

herb saver: show your host that all of the herbs they bought to cook for you with don't have to be tossed out before New Year's. $29.95.

 

kitchen matches: matches that are attractive enough to keep in plain view will help alleviate the pain of having a crappy stovetop with no pilot light. $20. 

air plant: give a freaky-looking tillandsia air plants as an alternative to a flower arrangement. They're so weird you'd never guess that they are also so cheap. $4.50.

whale ashtray: It'll be so much more thoughtful when you ask if you can light up in their house if you bring your own ashtray. $16. 

Here's one from Erica:

Señorío De Jaén Extra Virgin Olive Oil: you never know who's 12 steppin it or not, but EVERYONE needs a gorgeous, big bottle of olive oil--especially since, left to our own devices, we all seem to grab the cheapie 6.99 bottle at the supermarket. That's why this is pretty much my goto hostess gift, and it kills every. single. time. $28.