The final months of the year are typically filled with large soirées, huge family gatherings and celebrations full of friends. This year, though, get-togethers will be smaller and more intimate, which calls for well-thought-out and intentional hostess gifts. While so many of us aren’t traveling for the holidays this year, if you are, that likely means that someone is going above and beyond to make you feel not only welcome but safe. Make sure they know how much you appreciate them with any of these beautiful and thoughtful gifts.
A TOUCH OF ART
Birmingham pottery piece
We can’t get enough of the pieces that celebrate our favorite city. This beautiful 4-by-6-inch pottery piece handcrafted by Dixie Pottery Company makes for a thoughtful ‘thank you’ following a lovely celebration with family and friends. Find it for $25 at The Mercantile by Miller.
Birmingham pottery piece, $25, from The Mercantile by Miller | Image: The Mercantile by Miller
Home painting
Whether you’re attending a housewarming party or a holiday dinner, there is nothing more heartwarming than a handcrafted watercolor painting of your host’s home. Local artist Melissa Gullatte of Gracefully Made Art offers her gorgeous paintings on premium 8-by-10-inch cardstock paper. Trust us, this gift will live on your recipient’s wall for years to come. It’s a bit of a splurge at $100, but it will no doubt be a meaningful gift that is treasured for a lifetime. Order yours from Gracefully Made Art.
Custom house watercolor, $100, by Gracefully Made Art | Image: Gracefully Made Art
Birmingham ornament
Deck their halls with holiday spirit and give the gift of the Magic City to your lucky recipient. This beautiful ornament by Southern artist Erika Roberts features a watercolor of the Birmingham skyline. Find it for $25 from SB Shop.
Birmingham ornament, $25, from SB Shop
Personalized bowl
Bring a gift they’ll actually use this holiday season. Birmingham’s own Susan Gordon Pottery now offers personalizations on her stunning art. We especially love the wavy bowl, which comes in 28 colors and can be monogrammed for $10. Additionally, you can have it gift wrapped for $4. At $96, it’s definitely a special hostess gift and one that will be remembered fondly. Order from Susan Gordon Pottery.
Wavy bowl, $96, from Susan Gordon Pottery | Image: Susan Gordon Pottery
FOR THE KITCHEN
Monogrammed cake stand
‘Tis the season for desserts galore! Fill this beautiful personalized cake stand with holiday goodies for a special hostess this year. This is the perfect gift that can be used all year long. Find this monogrammed cake stand, starting at $66, from Doo-Dads & Designs.
Monogrammed cake stand, starting at $66, from Doo-Dads & Designs | Image: Doo-Dads & Designs
Recipe dish towel
For a personalized gift fit for a chef, wrap up a beautiful customized dish towel with their favorite recipe printed on it! From sacred family recipes to brand new kitchen creations, this towel is sure to be treasured by any hostess this season. Find it for $38 at SB Shop.
Customized recipe dish towel, $38, from SB Shop
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Linen cocktail napkins
Cheers to the hostess with the mostess! Every Southern host needs a set or two of monogrammed cocktail napkins, and these 6-by-6-inch embroidered linen beauties perfectly marry modern style and traditional design. Wrap these around your favorite bottle of bubbly to assemble the perfect ‘thank you’ gift. Find these for $7 each at Bow and Strand.
Personalized linen cocktail napkins, $7 each, from Bow and Strand | Image: Bow and Strand
Monogrammed acrylic wine glasses
If your host is difficult to shop for, we have the perfect solution. These beautiful monogrammed acrylic wine glasses can be personalized with either a three-letter monogram or a name. We especially love that they’re practically shatterproof! Order a gift set for $79 at SB Shop.
Monogrammed acrylic wine glasses, $79, from SB Shop
FOR THE HOME
The Martha Manual
Are you visiting a friend or family member who seems to have everything? The Martha Manual by Martha Stewart is the quintessential handbook for any Southern hostess. This practical yet pretty book will look perfect on a coffee table this holiday season. Wrap it up with a gorgeous ribbon and a bottle of wine for the perfect ‘thank you’ gift that will be used for years to come. Find it for $35 at Thank You Bookshop.
The Martha Manual, $35, from Thank You Bookshop | Image: Thank You Bookshop
Keepsake flowers
You can’t go wrong with gifting beautiful florals this season. This stunning arrangement filled with roses, daisies, hypericum berries, and seeded eucalyptus nods to the season’s rich, autumnal colors. Carefully arranged in a ceramic white pumpkin, your recipient can use this gift long after the flowers have withered away. Order your arrangement for $64.95 at Norton’s Florist.
White pumpkin keepsake floral arrangement, $64.95, at Norton’s Florist | Image: Norton’s Florist
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FOOD & DRINK
Custom wine box
Visiting a wine connoisseur this holiday season? Josh Terrell of Classic Wine Company offers mix-and-match gift baskets. These wine gift sets are fully customizable for any grape, region and price point. Starting at $50, create the perfect wine box at Classic Wine Company.
Wine gift set, starting at $50, from Classic Wine Company
Chocolate gift box
Does anyone else’s love language consist of chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate? We know it can’t just be us. This chocolate gift box curated by locally owned Honeycreeper Chocolate is at the top of our wish list this year, and we bet your hostess will find comfort in a sweet treat from this selection. Become the VIP of party-goers when you arrive with this in tow. Find it for $55 at Honeycreeper Chocolate.
Chocolate gift box, $55, from Honeycreeper Chocolate | Image: Honeycreeper Chocolate
Grazing board
Charcuterie boxes and grazing boards are truly having a moment right now, and for that, we are thankful. After all, what’s better than a selection of tasty cheeses, fruits, crackers, meats and olives? You’ll want to go ahead and grab one for your family, too! Order yours, starting at $45, from Brie Mine.
Charcuterie boxes, starting at $45, from Brie Mine | Image: Brie Mine
Custom cookies
When you show up with a dozen beautiful (and tasty) sugar cookies, you’re sure to be a favorite guest. Dream up a fun cookie design based on your hostess’ favorite things, use their monogram, or stick with seasonal patterns to delight your recipient. Order your cookies, starting at $20 per dozen, by Sarah Bakes Cookies.
Custom cookies, starting at $20 per dozen, by Sarah Bakes Cookies | Image: Sarah Bakes Cookies
Dinner box
When the gathering is all said and done, give the hostess the gift of a night off with this locally sourced dinner in a box. Appropriately named the Good Neighbor Box, this perfectly packaged gift is sure to be a favorite. Included, you’ll find Stone Hollow Farmstead’s delicious vegetable soup, crackers, Maldon sea salt and a Spoon Man’s wooden soup spoon. Find this box for $63 from Stone Hollow Farmstead.
Good Neighbor Box, $63, from Stone Hollow Farmstead | Image: Stone Hollow Farmstead
Now it’s time to celebrate with your closest family and friends. Have a safe and healthy holiday season, Birmingham!
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