DIY Hostess Gifts

Being a bride-to-be often means many months of parties being thrown in your honor -- engagement soirees, all sorts of showers -- how fun!  Your friends and family want to celebrate you and your future husband at this happy, exciting time, and often go to great lengths to plan the perfect pre-wedding fiesta.  As a result, you want to show them your appreciation, and what better way to say "thank you" than by giving the perfect hostess gift.  We've compiled a list of our favorite thoughtful, creative ways to say thanks to your host or hostess.


Infused Liquors

Infused liquors make fantastic gifts, especially if someone's thrown you a couples shower or a stock the bar party.  They're quick, easy, inexpensive, and make delicious, unique cocktails.  You can infuse alcohol with almost anything (bacon bourbon, anyone?), so play around and see what fun spirits you can come up with.  Imbibe Magazine takes you through the basics of the process here.  Some of our favorite recipes: ginger-infused vodka; lavender-infused gin; strawberry vodka; and apple-spice bourbon.


Homemade Jams + Jellies

What better way to show your appreciation than handing over evidence of your having slaved over a hot stove for hours and hours?  Jams, jellies, and, we should mention, pickles (!), look beautiful in jars, and make such sweet, thoughtful gifts.  Our go-to for all things canning is this book, Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff.


Next-Day Breakfast Basket

This, we think, is our absolute favorite: a basket brimming with breakfast supplies (say that three times fast!).  In this one we put homemade granola & honey, coffee, bagels and cream cheese, eggs from our backyard chickens, and orange juice.  The possibilities are endless (add champagne? or a bottle of painkillers?), and your hostess will so appreciate your gift the morning after a late night of party-hosting, because breakfast is all right there in the basket.  

We'd love to hear about fun hostess gifts you've given or received!