The weather is finally starting to cool down, and the season of hosting is shifting. Beach parties? No more. Backyard barbecues? Not happening. Seafood boils? Not so much. Instead, we're having cozy dinners, football watch parties, and autumn weekend getaways.
We all know the number one rule for attending a gathering, and that's to never show up empty-handed! It's always best practice to bring a gift of some sort for your host, but just bringing by a bottle of Pinot you picked up on the way is, at best, boring, and very predictable. Don't you want to be the favorite guest at your next autumn gathering? Of course you do! This exclusive guide will be your secret weapon to picking thoughtful, unique gifts that the party's host will love!
The Ambiance Upgrade
Since the summer heat is going away, and we're spending much more time indoors, your party's host is likely putting tons of effort into making their home feel comfortable, cozy, and inviting for the season. One of the best things you can give your host is a beautiful home gift or decor piece, but you have to be careful that it doesn't overwhelm, clash with, or dominate your host's decor!
This gift is especially easy to shop for if you're going to a dinner gathering, where you're expected to bring food. Whatever you were going to serve your food on, leave it at home. Instead, buy an artisanal charcuterie board to serve your snacks. If you're bringing a bottle of wine for the gift, include a couple of nice wineglasses for the host, too. A beautiful coffee table book or a luxurious throw blanket are great gift ideas, too. These gifts are extra special because they don't just last one night for the party, they last all season long!
Flowers are one of the most-bought gifts for hosts, so I'd encourage you to avoid going to the florist for your present. If you do, however, decide to go with a gift of flowers, you can't forget the ultimate cardinal rule of gifting flowers. You must bring a vase! There's nothing worse than throwing a dinner party, having fun, then having to drop everything to find a vase for flowers once someone walks in. So don't forget: bring a vase!
The bottom line is that this gift should be something thoughtful, that elevates your host's home, that they're proud to put on display.
The Hostess Hack: A Gift for the Kids
Pro tip: If you can win over the host's kids, then you'll win over the host, every time!
Having company over is stressful enough for parents without having to chase their kids around, entertain toddlers, and keep an eye on the children while cooking dinner. Bringing a "distract the kids" gift to the event is your fast pass to being the favorite houseguest at every party you attend.
Here's the tricky part: a lot of the time, parents can be picky about what their kids are playing with. Don't go to the big box toy store and buy the first bright piece of plastic you find. Avoid bringing anything battery operated. Don't bring anything with lots of little pieces, either. The key to success here is to avoid all the extra bells and whistles and bring something that's simple, self-contained, and encourages imaginative, independent play.
A favorite toy brand of ours at the boutique is Maileg, famous for their whimsical designs, top-notch quality, and their ability to inspire imaginative fun in little ones. These magical mice are small but mighty, and feature a lineup containing tons of different characters, outfits, accessories, and scenes! The dolls are perfectly-sized for little hands, and they come in cute, aesthetically-pleasing matchboxes for storage, which makes cleanup a mess-free experience. Check out all of our Maileg merch here!
Candylab Toys are another much-loved brand here at the boutique. These toy cars are uber durable, tons of fun, and (the best part) they don't use any toxic materials in their production--from the cars, to the paint, even to the packaging! These quiet toys are perfect for distracting your hosts' toddler at the next party. While the kiddo is quietly rolling around toy trucks, the parents can focus on keeping the party going! Check out our collection of Candylab Toys here!
Read all about our favorite heirloom-quality toys for kids here.
The "Next Morning" Wellness Gift
Putting together a guest list, decorating, cooking, and partying takes a lot of energy, so it's guaranteed that after the festivities, your host is going to wake up exhausted. That means you can really wow the host if you give them the gift of R&R after the party.
The host is going to need something to help feel pampered the morning after all the festivities, so the possibilities are really endless with this gift! A gift from Coastal Candle Co. is a great way to fill her home with a pleasant, relaxing fragrance. You can pair it with an aesthetic box of matches to really hit it home, too! You can never go wrong with a moisturizing lip tint or hand cream from Henne Organics, either! A couple of those in a small "mini-spa gift basket" will make the party's host super appreciative.
Give them a gift of a delicious next morning breakfast, and show up with some autumnal preserves like apple butter, and some cinnamon bread. If you really want to go above and beyond, bring it on a beautiful artisanal cutting board or serving dish!
If you're a Becky Home-Ecky like me, hand-made gifts are some of the most fun to prepare, and some of the best for sharing! A fabulous autumn gift that I love is stovetop potpourri kits. Get a nice wicker basket, line it with linen or soft cotton muslin, and put in some tasty-smelling ingredients. Here are two recipes they'll love:
The first one is a delicious, cinnamon-y scent with a little fruitiness to it. In a medium-sized saucepan, simmer some water (don't let it boil!) and place two cinnamon sticks, one sliced orange, three cloves, and two star anise.
The second is much sweeter and more light-and-airy. Just drop two quartered apples, two cinnamon sticks, and one teaspoon of whole cloves. Pour in a little bit of vanilla extract (one tablespoon) and you have the ultimate autumnal stovetop potpourri!
Happy Gifting!
The host of your autumn get-together works their butt off to make sure everything looks and feels perfect at the hangout, so the least you can do is bring them a sweet gift as a "thank you" for their hard work!
These gifts are super thoughtful and easy to grab on the go, and now that you're equipped with this information, you're all but guaranteed to be the favorite houseguest of the evening!
Don't panic-buy at the grocery store for your next fall event! Next time you RSVP "yes," pop by the boutique first. We'd be happy to help you get the perfect gift, the perfect fit, and a guaranteed invite to your host's Thanksgiving celebration!
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