We’re all about being a little Boy Scout-ish during the holiday season. After all, if one is prepared for anything, one can not only survive the holidays, but survive them with style. With those party invitations piling up, NOW is the time to fill your gift closet with lovely hostess gifts so you’re prepared whenever the need arises. We’ve picked a selection of a dozen gifts, many of them Memphis-made, that any hostess would love, and all you have to do is get out there and shop!
12 Fantastic Holiday Hostess Gifts
Hand-blown wine glasses
Any host or hostess will be charmed by these colorful stemless wine glasses by Kingston Studios, $36 each from T. Clifton Art Gallery. Studio blown, they come in a bouquet of colors that enhance any decor and will be cherished for years to come.
Hand-blown wine glasses by Kingston Studios, $36 each, at T. Clifton Art Gallery | Image: T. Clifton Art Gallery
Memphis-made goodness
Felicia Suzanne Willett is the genius behind one of the city’s iconic restaurants, Felicia Suzanne, and her line of pickles and other pantry must-haves are as sassy as she is. Stock up on her Flo’s Homemade Goodness products, including pickled jalapeños, pepper jelly, bread and butter pickles or chow chow, $8 each at Social, and you’ll be a most welcome guest!
Flo’s Homemade Goodness products, $8 each at Social
Columbian coffee
Columbia grown and Memphis roasted, Delta Morning is a single origin specialty grade Colombian coffee that’s a full-bodied medium roast. A delightful fusion of warm spices and dried tropical fruit, across notes of caramel and roasted nuts, is delivered in every sip. Get a 12-ounce bag for $9.95, whole bean or ground, exclusively at Chestnut Hall.
Chestnut Hall Delta Morning Coffee, $9.95 for a 12-ounce bag, whole bean or ground. Image: Chestnut Hall
Memphis apron
A real Memphis original, Humphrey’s Prime Cut Shoppe is the butcher shop at Folk’s Folly restaurant and a go-to for fine cuts of beef and Memphis-made delicacies. Good cooks love a good apron, and this Humphrey’s cover-up is the perfect choice for a Memphis-loving chef.
Apron, $24.95, from Humphrey’s Prime Cut Shoppe | Image: Humphrey’s Prime Cut Shoppe
Chocolate Santa sleigh
Could there be any happier holiday gift for a hostess than a chocolate Santa sleigh, adorned with candy embellishments and filled with yummy treats? We think not! This adorable and utterly Memphis gift from Dinstuhl’s, $25, is sure to delight the recipient, and we wouldn’t blame you a bit if you bought one for yourself.
Chocolate sleigh, $25, from Dinstuhl’s
The Chubby Vegetarian Cookbook
We’ve come to just adore Justin Fox Burks and his wife, Amy Lawrence, the dynamic duo who blogs/photographs/writes about food as The Chubby Vegetarian. Their second cookbook, The Chubby Vegetarian: 100 Inspired Vegetable Recipes for the Modern Table really does inspire some veggie-licious ideas, and we think it’s going to become one of those kitchen bibles. Find it for $24.99 at Booksellers at Laurelwood.
The Chubby Vegetarian cookbook, $24.99, at Booksellers at Laurelwood | Image: Justin Fox Burks
Coffee cake
There’s nothing better than having a simple and scrumptious baked good on hand when entertaining holiday drop-ins. Especially when you didn’t have to bake it yourself, right? From Bluff City Coffee & Bakery, a cinnamon sugar coffee cake, $15, is the perfect combination of sweet and spice, and you can choose from a variety of other freshly made cakes and pastries at the same price.
Cinnamon sugar coffee cake, $15, at Bluff City Coffee & Bakery
Travel candle set
There’s nothing that makes a hotel room feel more like home than a luxuriously scented candle, and we love this little Seda France travel candle set, $14.50, from The Stovall Collection, which includes a small round box of wood matches. Gift your hostess with one of these, and she can take you on her future travels! (Just a reminder, matches are a no-no for air travel).
Seda France travel candle set, $14.50 from The Stovall Collection
Made-in-Memphis vodka
For the most spirited host, only a Memphis spirit will do! Pyramid Vodka is made from local grains and distilled in small batches right here in the Bluff City — what a great way to show your host and your city some love this holiday season! Find it for $27.99 and $19.99, at Buster’s Liquors & Fine Wines.
Pyramid Vodka, $27.99 and $19.99, at Buster’s Liquors & Fine Wines
Salt & pepper cellar
Simple yet so functional, a teak salt and pepper cellar would be welcome gift for any hostess, as she can place it on her modern table or buffet. In fact, this is the kind of gift to keep on hand year-round. Pick out one (or a few) for $25 per set at Greg Baudoin Interior Design.
Teak salt and pepper cellar, $25, at Greg Baudoin Interior Design
Holiday cups & napkins
Any hostess knows that you can never have enough travel coffee cups and holiday-themed cocktail napkins on hand, so fill up her coffers with these selections from Pickering Boxwood, which are sure to please! Choose from various sayings, with coffee cups sold in sets of 10 for $15; sets of 12 frost flexcups, $15; and napkins, $8.50, from Pickering Boxwood.
Cocktail coasters
For the glamorous hostess, a set of cocktail coasters, $20 and a golden-hued glass tray, $29 from Ménage Fine Stationery & Gifts adds a dash of sparkle to any occasion, any time of year.
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