Posts tagged hostess

I cannot look at this picture without thinking of Halloween circa 1987.  There must have been a popcorn ball craze at the time, because I came home with about 10 of them in my treat bag and I was unable to eat any of them (probably had a needle in them - or so my mom thought)!

Well, thank goodness for the internet because I am one click away from ordering MYSELF a gift of Garret’s popcorn balls :) Garrett’s started in Chicago in 1949 - they also have locations in NYC and overseas.  But, thanks to the internet you can send them anywhere / to anyone (or to yourself)!

Pictured above is the Snack Size Popcorn Ball Tin (50 pack) $36, but they also sell a variety of tins (including Oprah’s Favorites) that can be filled with different flavor popcorn.

Some of the flavors include: Carmel Crisp, Cheese Corn, The Chicago Mix…and many more! :) 

Check it out: http://www.garrettpopcorn.com

PS - they have a super cool app on their site that lets you customize your tin (think dominos pizza meets popcorn).

Do you have a wine lover in your life? Instead of bringing them a bottle of wine, get a little crafty and make some Chalkboard Wineglasses! 

Fellow Mama blogger Deb Thompson posted this cute idea, and I had to repost it.  I love a gift that has some thought and craftiness behind it! :)

She made 8 Chalkboard Wine Glasses and it cost her a total of $18.

Click on the link below to check out the process and learn how to make your own DIY glasses:

http://justshortofcrazy.com/2011/09/chalkboard-wine-glasses-tutorial.html

I couldn’t resist this last-minute Superbowl idea. 

Made with Philly Cream Cheese and pecans, it’s sure to be a hit!  

Hurry up though, it needs some time to chill in the fridge - so get cookin!

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cheesy-football-50257.aspx

With the big game around the corner, I was thinking of some host / hostess ideas that are game related (without being cheeeeeeesy).  This chip and dip set by Umbra is a modern alternative to the plastic football bowl.  

It retails for $49.99 and you can find it at Bed Bath & Beyond:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16465305&RN=902&

*Gift Mama Tip:  Fill the bowl with goodies to eat during the game and leave it there with the host/hostess as a gift :)

“Ding Dong!” It’s that time of year again -Girl Scout Cookie time!  

I am personally a Thin Mint and Samoa lover, but they are all yummy and can make a great gift! This is not your “typical” gift, and since you cannot buy the tasty treats online, you might want to stock up when your little saleswoman arrives.

Girl Scout cookies are perfect to stash away and bring as a fun hostess gift!  Trust me - your host / hostess will DEFINITELY have a smile on their face when you show up with a box of hard-to-get goodies :) 

GS Cookies are $4 a box and proceeds benefit your local GS troop.  To find cookies near you, go to:

http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/

I LOVE giving / receiving the gift of stationary, and one of my favorite places (esp for kids), is Tiny Prints.

Thank You cards make a great gift for everyone, because they are thoughtful (can be personalized) and useful - which in my mind, is the perfect combo!  Pictured above is an example of a baby girl thank you card.  20 cards are around $30.  

Here is an example of a baby boy/neutral thank you card:

Check them out at:  http://www.tinyprints.com 

What is a snow day without some hot chocolate???  The delicious drink is not only the perfect Winter treat, it also makes a fabulous gift!  Here are a few of my top picks (in no particular order):

1.  ”Mr. Chocolate” Jacques Torres Hot Chocolate Combo Pack: $36

http://www.mrchocolate.com/most-popular/hot-chocolate-combo.html

2.  ”Chocolate by the Bald Man” Max Brenner: $10.90

http://shop.maxbrenner.com/chocolate-collections-treats/chocolat-milk-chocolate-powder.html

3.  Serendipity Frozen “Hot” Chocolate:  $16.95

http://www.amazon.com/Serendipity-Frrrozen-Hot-Chocolate-Canister/dp/B0001I1HFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1VFMEDRM0EEIX&s=generic&qid=1327158023&sr=1-1

Happy (almost) New Year! :) :) :) :) :) :) 

And what better host / hostess gift then this fabulous cork cage?! Give the wine-lover in your life a fun place to keep and collect their corks.

The wine bottle cage is around $25, and comes in a few different shapes (champagne bottle, wine barrel, pocketbook).

http://www.amazon.com/Bottle-Great-Place-Favorite-91-035/dp/B00243YRP0

I picked up a rosemary tree this year at Trader Joe’s, and let me tell you - it really is the gift that keeps on giving (even though I got it for myself)!  

If you have a holiday party to go to and need a GREAT (and festive) hostess gift - look no further. Especially if the person loves to cook - this makes a very thoughtful gift because they can use the fragrant herb long after the holidays have passed!

The tree pictured above is from FTD and retails for $34.99 (perfect if you want to send some holiday cheer via mail): http://www.ftd.com/the-night-before-christmas-holiday-tree-prd/p368/

Otherwise, check out trader joe’s or your local grocery store / florist to find one near you!

A few weeks ago, I was sick with a cold.  I was laying in bed flipping through the channels when I stumbled upon QVC (my husband would tell the story that I purposely WENT to QVC- but that is not true - I literally stumbled on it).  I am not a big QVC shopper, but I have ordered a few times before.  Fast fwd to 15 mins of them pitching me (and they were talking to ME) on these luxurious throws, and I was SOLD.

The Berkshire Blanket is by FAR the softest and warmest throw I’ve ever owned.  And, the price is RIGHT - $28.24 for TWO - that’s right TWO (insert qvc pitch here)! They are huge: 50x70 - big enough to cuddle up with the one you love, but you don’t have to because you get TWO! They warm you so quickly, it almost feels like an electric blanket.  

This makes a great holiday or anytime gift - I would love to have these scattered all over my home! :)

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.H168799.desc.Berkshire-Blanket-Set-of-2-Super-Soft-50x70-Fluffie-Throws.cm_scid.zone