It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and with that comes an array of fabulous events to attend. Show your holiday hostesses how much you appreciate them by arriving with a thoughtful gift in hand! We’ve got the list to easily make that happen before the next party on your jam-packed calendar. From sweet treats and cocktails to home decor and self-care essentials, we rounded up 20 perfect hostess gifts from shops around Birmingham — and chances are, you’ll want to keep one (or two) for yourself!
FOOD & DRINK
Cocktail kit
When the last guest has gone home, a hostess is sure to want to unwind with a cocktail, and this crystal shimmer champagne kit will help her do it in such a chic way. Made by Teaspressa, the kit includes handcrafted, naturally infused flavor sugar cubes to create the perfect mimosa, mocktail, or flavored champagne cocktail. Pick up a set for $29.50 at Paper Source.
Two gifts in one
Need a last-minute gift or one that you can just grab and go? Edgar’s Bakery has you covered with one of its delicious pound cake loaves. The varieties always on hand are seemingly endless — caramel apple, strawberry, chocolate chip, chocolate marble, and banana nut, just to name a few — and only $12 each. For $10 more, the loaf can come wrapped in a beautiful and festive tea towel the hostess can use again and again.
A (charcuterie) board book
Help the hostess up her hosting game with Platters and Boards by Shelly Westerhausen. Throughout the pages of the entertaining book, Shelly shares tips and tricks on creating the perfect spread, complete with incredible photography of 40 presentations, recipes, and even pairings. It’s available for $24.95 at a’mano.
A favorite flavorful wine
You can never go wrong when arriving with a bottle of wine in hand, and that goes double when it’s a bottle of 2020 McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. With notes of blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry, the medium-bodied wine is the number one-selling wine at The Vintage Wine Shoppe for a reason. Pick up a bottle on sale for $11.99 (reg. $14.99).
Fresh baked cookies
If you know, you know: An assortment of Cookie Fix’s fresh-baked, seasonal selections could be the highlight of anyone’s evening. It’s also an easy and quick gift that can come easily packaged in a reusable tin. A small tin (that holds up to eight cookies) starts at $6, a medium tin (that holds 12 cookies) starts at $7, and a large tin (that holds up to 20 cookies) starts at $9. (Note: Cookies are sold separately from the tin.)
The perfect holiday blend
Is it even the holidays without a cup of O’Henry’s Christmas Blend? An O’Henry’s Christmas tradition, the once-a-year blend perfectly marries those favorite holiday flavors, including cinnamon, chocolate, and vanilla. Pick up a bag of the cult favorite at O’Henry’s for $19.99. Coffee pods are now available too for $15.99.
A bottle of bourbon
Contribute to the party with a bottle of Dread River Straight Bourbon. Crafted by Dread River Distilling Company, the liquor is the first commercially produced bourbon in the city of Birmingham in 100 years. Pick up a bottle for $52.99 at Dread River Distilling Company.
Trio of preserves
For the at-home chef — or perhaps even the wanna-be — you can never go wrong with a scrumptious set of culinary condiments. Case in point: this set of berry preserves from Stone Hollow Farmstead. The gift box includes Blackberry Rose Geranium Jam, Strawberry Jalapeño Jam, and Blueberry Lemon Verbena Preserves, all handcrafted in Alabama. Pick up a box for $71 at Stone Hollow Farmstead.
SELF-CARE
Bath and body favorites
There’s really no better way to relax than with a little self-care, and that calls for the fresh, floral scent from the body scrub, body butter, and shower oil in Buff City Soap’s All Hail The Queen Collection. The handmade products feature the scents of citrus and crown with notes of citrus and sweet orange. Pick up the set for $15 at Buff City Soap.
A sweet self-care kit
What’s better than bringing a bouquet of fresh roses? A gift set that will keep her (or her home) smelling of roses all year long! The Rose Jam gift set includes shower gel and body spray in Lush’s best-selling lemon-rose fragrance. It’s essentially a double gift: the body spray can also be used around the house or even in the car to keep the air sweet. Pick up a beautifully wrapped box for $36.
Give her a hand (soap)
Washing dishes is made a little nicer when the L’epi de Provence hand soap in “Ocean” is on hand. The liquid hand soap offers a refreshing scent while also being soft on the hands with organic shea butter and argan oil. Pick up a bottle for $16.95 at The Blue Willow.
FOR THE HOME
A fresh new home scent
Nothing invigorates a space like a fresh, clean scent. This CLEAN Space room diffuser in “Fresh Linen” will keep any room smelling like freshly laundered clothes for up to 90 days. Even better: it comes in an aesthetically pleasing and reusable glass vase. It’s available for $48 at Dorm Decor.
Seasonal candle
Is it ever possible to have too many candles? Not if at least one (or two!) of them is The Mercantile By Miller‘s signature candle. The candle is available in a variety of sizes and two spectacular scents: Fraser Fir or Char Char, a pomegranate mixture named after owner Kay Miller’s granddaughter, Charlotte. The candles are available in-store, and prices range from $12.99 to $49.
Floral arrangement
There’s something about a flower arrangement that puts a smile on anyone’s face. An Iron City Orchid arrangement from Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market will most certainly garner a smile and a wow. The orchid comes perfectly arranged in an ornamental pot with moss and bamboo stakes. A single-stem arrangement is available for $95. For even more wow, go with a double stem arrangement for $115.
A versatile tray
There’s no better way to say “thank you” than with a creative way of showing you care, and the Cornerstone Friendship Tray by Juliska says it all. The first stone is laid at the corner of a foundation — the cornerstone is crucial to the structure of any building — and it’s the same with relationships. The tray illustrates this fundamental aspect of friendship in the most beautiful way. Get yours for $39 at Table Matters.
A chill new glass
Ensure she always has the perfect pour with these cooling wine glasses. The glasses can be kept in the freezer and pulled out when it’s time for that perfect glass of white wine or pulled from the fridge when you’re ready to pour a glass of red. Whatever variety you prefer, HOST Freeze ensures the drink is perfectly chilled for hours on end. Pick up a set of two for $26.95 at Swoozie’s.
A classic candle
Capri Blue’s forever fan-favorite Volcano candle features notes of tropical fruits and sugared citrus that warm up the feel and appeal of any room. Plus, the Capri Blue Glimmer eight-ounce vessel elevates the special candle in a beautiful glimmer jar, and it’s available for $28 at Wrapsody.
Notepad set
Anyone would appreciate a personalized notepad set, especially in this blue and white floral pattern. Inspired by classic embroidery motifs with a modern twist, the set includes four notepads of varying sizes, perfect for any type of use. The set is available for $36.50 at Please Reply.
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Alabama ornament
Give a gift that can be enjoyed year after year with this Prodigy Pottery Alabama ornament. Each ornament is handmade in Chelsea by women of Prodigal Pottery at King’s Home. That means while also sharing your love of home, proceeds from the ornament support women fleeing domestic abuse. Multiple color options are available at Alabama Goods for $14.99.
Reusable holiday tote
Bringing a bottle of wine? Elevate the gift with the addition of this tote. The bag holds a standard-size wine bottle, and it’s insulated, making it a gift she can use again and again. Get yours for $25 at The Cottage Basket.
Enjoy your holiday festivities, Birmingham!
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