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Gifts to Have on Hand

When you find yourself invited to something last minute and can’t show up empty handed, it’s so nice to have something on hand to give to the hostess. I love to keep pretty candles and note pads on hand as a gift, and always feel like an organized adult when I buy them ahead of time, secure in the knowledge that a gift emergency will arise in the holiday season, but I’ll be prepared for it. If you like to give wine or food (who doesn’t love that!), it’s also great to keep some little items on hand that can make that feel more personal- vases to go with fresh flowers or bottle openers or coasters to go with a bottle wine or napkins or dish cloths to go with holiday baked goods.

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  1. These blue and white tea lights are perfect for layering into home decor or a tablescape! At around $20 each, you can mix and match patterns and give just one or a pair!

  2. Who’s Most Likely To… is a card game for all ages that comes in a little square box that’s easy to wrap and gift. Our whole family loves playing it.

  3. Cloth cocktail napkins are the perfect “grand millennial” gift. These shell shaped ones feel extra special and are ideal for warmer climates.

  4. If you are bringing beer or something else with a bottle top to a party, I love showing up with a bottle opener as a gift!

  5. Amaryllis bulbs are so sweet for the holiday season and require no maintenance for the hostess.

  6. Holiday Swedish Dish Cloths are reusable and eco friendly and perfect for the hostess doing all the cleaning right now-even dishwashing is more fun when it’s on theme.

  7. Prosecco Pong is such a fun addition to a bottle of bubbly or on it’s own-especially for someone who likes to take their parties up a notch.

  8. These striped candles are so pretty and come in a medley of colors that would go with all different kinds of decor.

  9. This affordable set of bud vases is so sweet - you can break up the trio and toss in a few seasonal branches or blooms!

  10. These black and gold bracelets are a nice mix of glam and pretty.

  11. This rattan frame works with so many decor styles and is a great mix of current and traditional. Bonus points if you give it with a picture inside, but I also give just the frames all the time, and this frame is priced at about half of what I’ve seen for similar ones in stores.

  12. These would be perfect for kids or adults-hot chocolate balls filled with marshmallows that they can use and enjoy right away-yum. I know Lila would love these, and teens are the hardest people to buy for after dads.

  13. Puzzles are such a fun winter gift, and perfect for entertaining houseguests during the colder months. My mother in law brought one for the kids on our trip this Thanksgiving and it was so fun to sit around after dinner and work on the puzzle and watch holiday movies.

  14. Lux hand cream is a thoughtful gift for the cold weather, especially for a host that’s doing lots of dishwashing around the party season.

  15. Blue and white coasters would be great on their own or with wine or hot chocolate for a weekend visit.

  16. These dog candles come in all different breeds and would be such a cute gift for the dog lover in your life. I immediately ordered one for our friends who just got a second cavalier puppy.

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