IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY HOSTESS GIFTS

Good Morning Monday!

It's that time of year when the party invitations are arriving and there's always that question, "What gift should we bring for the host/hostess?

Having been on receiving end from our yearly parties I can tell you how much fun my husband and I have at the end of the evening. We typically can finally have that glass of wine and sample the food of the evening and while doing so, grab all of the hostess gifts, sit down and open them one by one. 

The note cards or tags attached range from gracious words of thanks to some not having any tag on them at all. At that point we try to recall who handed which one of us the gift. It's a great way for my husband and I to reminisce about the evening and it's almost like Santa came when it comes to opening the gifts. This is why we try to personalize our gifts when we reciprocate.
 Never fear this doesn't have to be a daunting experience and it doesn't have to be one that will break the bank. I've compiled some ideas for you to peruse to get your creative juices flowing. Above all, it's always a gracious act of kindness to thank your host with a gift, no matter what the size or cost; it is the thought that counts.

Come take a look and see what I found you....

1.  NEST candles--Holiday scent on Amazon- $32.00

http://www.amazon.com/NEST-Fragrances-NEST01-HL-

Holiday-Scented/dp/B0043R48Z4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416086205&sr=8-1&keywords=nest+candle

2.  Monogram Border Flat Note Cards--$47.95 for #50

http://www.thestationerystudio.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/catalog.viewproduct/productid/13683/catid/2928/classic-monogram-border-flat-note-cards.html

3.  Bottle of wine, champagne or Prosecco-$15-$50
Any wine/liquor store.

4. Red Envelope--Personalized Red Wine Bucket--$47.99

http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/personalized-leather-wine-bucket-30116126?REF=REDSRCHgoog_recip_20_hostess_kwd_%2bhostess+%2bgifts_b&prid=RDPS1420&viewpos=9&trackingpgroup=RHOST

5. Pottery Barn Winter Village Kitchen towel--$11.00

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/winter-village-kitchen-towel/?pkey=cgifts-for-host&

6. Pottery Barn Monogram Bottle Stopper--$15.50

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/blacksmith-metal-wood-bottle-stoppers/?pkey=cgifts-for-host&

7.  Marsha's Buckeyes--#4--8 oz. containers--$17.00
(some of my favorite Midwest candy--you can break these up for a couple of gifts)

http://store.marshashomemadebuckeyes.com/new-8-oz-deli-container-p2.aspx

8.  Stylish Silver Ceramic Vase with Premium Large Red Lion Amaryllis Bulb--$34.99

http://www.amazon.com/Stylish-Ceramic-Premium-Amaryllis-Bulb/dp/B00G28LIAU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1416089350&sr=8-11&keywords=amaryllis+bulb+kit

9. Garrett Popcorn Shops--Garrett Mix--1 gallon-Garrett Signature Skyline container--$33.00
(Everyone's favorite from Chicago)

http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/flavors/cp-garrettmix.html

10.  American Spoon--Four Star Preserves--$42.00

(I love these preserves,they are excellent quality. This may be broken up into two gifts also)

https://www.spoon.com/four-stars.html

11. DIY Homemade Christmas jam--

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/christmas-jam

I hope this gives you some ideas and takes some of the stress out of the holiday season for you!

Now go ahead and and have a wonderful time at that holiday party!!

Kathleen

WHAT TO DO WITH THANKSGIVING LEFT-OVERS

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

Well, I see you survived the hustle bustle of the Thanksgiving festivities. I rolled out of bed this morning with an idea I'd like to share with you that just might make your weekend a little less hectic.

Are you looking at lots of containers of left-overs and wondering what to do with them? All of the potatoes, gravy, turkey and dressing? I'd like to share with you a little family secret.

While you are clearing the dishes from the Thanksgiving table, instead of grabbing the Glad containers and filling them with left-overs this is what we do......

Take a 13 x 9 or baking dish and start layering the left-overs in it. Start with a bit of gravy, then potatoes, then gravy, then dressing then gravy.  Seal it up with tin foil and refrigerate it. 

You don't need the added stress of another meal to prepare while guests are in town. Now over the weekend you can pull out the casserole, take the tin foil off and bake it on 350F for approx. 50-60 minutes (check the center to make sure it is warmed through because ovens vary). Add a leafy green salad or warm your leftover veggie if you have one, and you have another dinner. Trust me no one will complain about these left-overs. My family LOVES them!

In the meantime, make yourself a cocktail and relax with your guests. My favorite cocktail is a Kir Royale. Since it's Thanksgiving we need something with a bit of cranberry in it. I've got just the cocktail for you to sip with your guests as your dinner bakes.

Cranberry Kir Royale

Ingredients:

4 ounces chilled cranberry juice
2 ounces chilled creme de cassis
4 fresh cranberries
Chilled Champagne, for topping

Directions:

Divide the cranberry juice, creme de cassis, fresh cranberries 
among 4 champagne flutes. Top with champagne and serve. 

 

My husband likes to use  "Z" Zardetto Prosecco instead of champagne. It's a little more cost effective also.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/cranberry-kir-royale.html?oc=linkback

CHEERS to a wonderful holiday weekend!

Kathleen