The best and most unique host or hostess gift lets your hosts know how much you appreciate their hospitality and their efforts. So choose something you know they’ll appreciate. Sneaky tip: A great host or hostess gift gets you invited back the next time.
Let’s Get This Party Started…
Bring on the Bibo baby! Chances are, your host – or even if you’re the host – isn’t inviting a guest mixologist to the next get together. But wouldn’t it be great if exotic drinks were served anyway? Rather than the ho-hum juice with spirit drink, or dealing with a counter cluttered with ingredients and complicated recipes, how about some #getthepartystarted cocktails that take 20 seconds to make? Bring the Bibo Barmaid Smart Cocktail Machine to your next fete. Think of it like a Kuerig machine for your favorite libations, and enjoy cocktails such as Cucumber Melon, Malibu Mai Tai, Margarita, Appletini, Tangerine Paloma and Rum Punch at the touch of a button. More flavors coming this year due to popularity and requests. Simply open the Biba machine, fill the reservoir with water, drop in the flavor pouch of your choice, add your favorite spirit and push the button to create a delicious 8 oz. cocktail. The Bibo has been getting rave customer reviews and dazzling party guests with its fun and flavorful libations. Makes a great wedding gift too.
Get your party started at Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond
Bring on the flavor…
Most of us have a good bottle of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) in our kitchen, but what makes EVOO a great host or hostess gift is when that EVOO is taken up a notch or three to something extra special. Taking good to extravagant is what ExtravaGONZO is all about. Tom Stevens, founder and creator of the company started with a simple idea of taking infused EVOO mixed with 20% grapeseed oil, and creating unexpected flavors that dazzle the palette and liven up a basic meal. Choose from roasted garlic, jalapeño lime, meyer lemon or blood orange. To round out the gourmet offerings, Extravagonzo also creates rich and delicious balsamic vinegars in dark and white varieties and has won a prestigious Sofi Award for New Product at the Specialty Food Association’s 2017 Award Competition. Why choose just one flavor? Get your favorite host the Variety Gift Set which contains all flavors of the oils as well as the balsamic vinegars. $40 for the set and your host will feel like a gourmet chef as they use these oils and vinegars to upgrade their culinary game.
Order online at www.extravagonzofoods.com
Bring on the Bubbles…
Nothing makes a meal or hors d’oeuvres more delicious than when paired with a wonderful Prosecco. Celebrating 130 years in business, Mionetto Prosecco, started by Francesco Mionetto in 1887, knows how to do it right and is a major force in the growing popularity of this sparkling wine category. Unlike Champagne, which gets better with age and is more expensive, Prosecco is meant to be consumed when it’s freshly bottled. Think of it as champagne in blue jeans – it’s seriously good wine that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And because Prosecco has a pleasant acidity that other sparkling wines often lack, it makes it a wonderful pairing with food. Mionetto offers a number of varieties to choose from. The best seller is their Brut, with their distinguished orange label, and is less than $15 per bottle, so you can afford generous pours which fulfill all those grape expectations.
Available in local wine shops and Wine.com
Sweets for the Sweet…
Ava’s Cupcakes reign supreme! Don’t just take my word for it, owner Michelle Spell was the Season 4 winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and was also voted as having one of the Best Cupcakes in America by The Daily Meal. Ava’s Cupcakes are light, moist and delicious and the frosting is scrumptiously sinful – real butter cream, not just sugar mixed with icky whoknowswhat stuff. Every flavor palette will be thrilled by Ava’s abundant selection. Choose from tasty chocolate and vanilla varieties, along with seasonal and exotic flavors such as carrot, apple pie with cinnamon frosting, banana guava and my fave, peanut butter, as well as vegan and gluten free choices. Along with cupcakes, Ava’s makes delicious and adorable themed cookies for major holidays, as well as personalized cookies for your special event – birthdays, baby and bridal showers, weddings, bat/bar mitzvahs, sports parties…you name it and they’ll do your cookie or cupcake right. New Jerseyites can visit the shop, and the rest of us can order online and have them delivered to home or directly to the party host.
For more info go to www.avascupcakes.com
For when you don’t know about food or drink restrictions…
It’s not always appropriate to bring sweets or alcohol to the host, and of course you want something that’s appreciated and classy. Award winning Brooklyn based photographer Tal Shpantzer who creates exquisite photos that are sold in pricey art galleries, has selected some of her most gorgeous photos for use on beautiful journals and greeting cards. This Red Petal Journal is sure to be a hit with anyone. Have a look at her site for her many designs.
Available: www.talfoto.com
Handmade artwork is always appreciated, and with Amazon Handmade, you can find genuinely handcrafted items created by artisans from throughout the US and around the world, without having to travel. Your host would love this set of 4 stemless wine glasses painted with hummingbird, cardinal, bluebird and finch design created by Mary Elizabeth Arts in North Carolina. Great for any beverage.
Available: Amazon Handmade
