Dinner and holiday party season is officially here! It's the stretch of the year that shimmers with laughter, full tables, and festive gatherings that fill every weekend. Now is a time for connection and celebration, for the small gestures that make people feel seen and appreciated.
A hostess gift is one of those gestures, a simple way to say thank you for the effort, warmth, and love that goes into creating a beautiful evening. Rather than opting for the usual bottle of wine or store-bought gift, consider something more personal and sustainable this season. Thoughtful, handmade gifts like herb-infused olive oils, hand-stamped kitchen linens, or naturally scented candles carry a touch of creativity and care that can’t be found on a shelf.
These gifts don’t need to be elaborate; what matters is the intention behind them. They tell a quiet story of time spent, hands at work, and thought put into making something meaningful. Because the best hostess gifts do more than decorate a home, they linger as a reminder of gratitude, connection, and the joy of sharing something made with heart.
Whether to elevate a pizza or dip a day-old baguette in, infused olive oils are the perfect gift that will be a go-to grab in the kitchen! Better yet, you can probably make these at home with what you already have in your cupboards. Simple, easy and sustainable! Here's how to make it....
Step One: Grab a clean bottle or jar for your oil.
This could be anything from an old peanut butter jar to a sleek sparkling water bottle you picked up at your local co-op. Just be sure it has a secure lid and is thoroughly sterilized by giving it a good wash and letting it dry completely before using.
Step Two: Add your herbs or citrus.
Now comes the fun part, personalizing the oil to match your friend’s taste. For your bold, spice-loving friend, try adding dried chilis or a twist of lemon peel. For the one who loves to elevate every pizza, roast chicken, or potato dish, go for a fragrant blend of oregano, rosemary, and thyme. The key things to remember: all herbs should be completely dried (except citrus peels), and the ratio should be about one peel or 1–2 tablespoons of herbs per cup of oil.
Step Three: Pour your oil.
The final step is to add your oil of choice. You can use any type, but a high-quality olive oil will give you the richest flavor. Once filled, seal the jar tightly and let it infuse in a cool, dark place for 1–2 weeks. The longer it rests, the deeper and more complex the flavor becomes. If you’re making it the night of the party, just let your host know it’s still infusing. For a finishing touch, tie a bit of twine around the rim and add a small label for a simple detail that elevates your gift from homemade to heartfelt.
This holiday host gift might require a quick trip to the store, but if you set aside one cozy, rainy afternoon, you’ll have handmade gifts ready for every festive occasion. Whether it’s for the dinner-party hostess known for her stunning tablescapes or the friend who’s just settling into a new apartment, these custom napkins add a thoughtful, personal touch to any home. Best of all, they’re simple to make and easy to customize for the perfect way to match each friend’s unique vibe.
Step One: Make your stamp & prep your napkin.
Taking a potato cut in half, pat it dry with a paper towel and use a cookie cutter or knife to carve out the shape or design of your choosing. Dab the stamp dry again to ensure the potatoes' juices don't dilute the paint. After making your potato stamp, prep the linen napkin by ironing or pressing it to ensure it is a flat canvas for your creativity.
Step Two: Stamp!
Here comes the best part, stamp time! Putting acrylic paint onto a plate, brush or sponge a very thin layer onto your potato stamp. Take your stamp and press firm and flat onto the desired location on your napkin. Repeat with different stamps or in different colors to create the design of your choice.
Step Three: Set the paint.
Once you allow the napkin to dry 4-6 hours (or overnight), heat set it in the dryer for 15-20 minutes on high heat. This will ensure that your potato print masterpiece will stay whether washed or wiped across the counter. Fold them neatly with a bit of ribbon or twine to top it off and you have the perfect dinner-party host gift that you will probably see being used at the soirrés to come!
Is your holiday host deep in their mixology era? Or maybe you’re the one planning to shake up something special for the dinner party of the year? Either way, we’ve got you covered. Homemade simple syrups are the secret to effortless, elevated cocktails, mocktails and lattes! They’re quick to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to impress. Here’s how to whip up a few flavor-packed syrups to suit every taste this season.
Step One: Make your simple syrup base.
Over medium heat, stir together 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until the sugar fully dissolves. Once your syrup is clear in color, remove from the heat.
Step Two: Add your flavor ingredients.
Now it’s time to get creative! Add your chosen flavor ingredients and let them steep in the warm syrup for 15–30 minutes before straining through a fine sieve. Be sure to let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to a bottle or jar of your choice. Top it off with a cute label for a personal touch, and you’ve crafted a customized syrup your host can enjoy (that will keep in the fridge for up to a month)!
Syrup Flavors:
Cinnamon Vanilla: 2 cinnamon sticks & 1 vanilla bean (coffee, chai & bourbon cocktails)
Ginger-lime: 1/2 cup of fresh ginger & lime zest (mojitos, sparkling mocktails & hot teas)
Rosemary Citrus: 2 rosemary sprigs & citrus zest (gin & tonics, spritzes & lemonades)
Spiced Brown Sugar: Brown sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves & a dash of nutmeg (espresso martinis, rum drinks & lattes)
Lavender Honey: 1/2 cup of honey & 1 tbsp of dried lavender (champagne, iced teas and matcha)
We all have those random festive bowls or small vases tucked away, just waiting to be used. If you’ve managed to resist collecting holiday clutter, congratulations! You can easily find a festive vessel at any local thrift store. Candles are wonderfully customizable: pick your favorite container, choose a scent, and you’ve got a gift that works for both the fall and winter holiday season. They’re thoughtful, practical, and eco-friendly, a little handmade warmth everyone will love.
Step One: Set up your candle vessel.
Using your container of choice, ensuring there are no holes and that it will withstand heat, take a wick and secure it to the base of the vessel with glue or tape. To make sure the wick is straight, wrap it around a pencil and place it at the top of the container.
Step Two: Add your wax & scent.
Place soy or beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until it is fully melted. Once fully melted, let the wax cool for 1-3 minutes before slowly pouring into your container, leaving a bit of space from the top. Allow the candle to cool completely (2-4 hours) before trimming the wick.
Candle Scents: Add essential oils.
Frosted Pine: pine, eucalyptus, fir (fir needles on top of cooling wax)
Winter Spice Market: clove, orange, ginger, allspice (star anise on top)
Autumn Breeze: apple, cedarwood, vanilla (dried apple pieces on top)
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg (pinch of cinnamon on top)
Candy Cane Lane: peppermint & vanilla (pinch of sugar on top)
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