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Hostess Gifts

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1313 -- More Projects »
The next time you go to a party, consider one of these unique gift ideas from creative design expert Teri Stevens as an alternative to candy or flowers.
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Figure A
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Figure B

  • If you are going to bring flowers, make them extra special. Take a plain grocery store bouquet, cut off the price tag and wrap in layers of colorful tissue paper (figure A). Tie the tissue paper on with pretty ribbon.

  • Bring a vase, along with the flowers. Four small vases secured together with wire (figure B) serves as a nice presentation.

  • A jar of fancy hot fudge can make a fun hostess gift. Attach an ice-cream scoop to the outside, tied on with a pretty ribbon.
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Figure C
  • Bring a fancy bottle of water and attach festive swizzle sticks on it with ribbon (figure C).

  • Olives make a great hostess gift when included with a couple of olive skewers. You can also present the gift in an oversize martini glass.
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    Figure D
  • Bring a whimsical tin pail filled with root beer or soda as a fun alternative to the traditional hostess gift. Fill the pail with peanuts still in the shell, and tie on a bottle opener (figure D).

  • Hostess gifts can be made more personal by giving the host of a party a nicely framed photo which includes themselves. Wrap the photo in tissue paper for a special touch.

  • A book of party nut recipes makes a thoughtful hostess gift. Prepare a recipe from the book and tie a bag of the finished nuts to the gift.
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    Figure E
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    Figure F
  • Make drink charms. Place the charm on a new hair binder and slip them over a can or bottle (figure E) to distinguish each guest's drink.

  • Take a mini grocery cart and fill with a bag of pretzels, a jar and a mustard dipping sauce (figure F). Cut off the top of a paper lunch bag and hang on the cart with raffia. This makes a great card.
    • Also in this Episode
    TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1313
    •Get Your Kids to Read
    •Preparing Exotic Meats
    •Hostess Gifts
    •Tip of the Day
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