I'll admit that when it comes to hostess gifts, I lack a certain amount of creativity. I usually opt for the standard bottle of wine. But nothing says afterthought like a crumpled brown paper bag. Here are some chic alternatives that will make even a $7 bottle of Trader Joe's Merlot look like a million bucks.
Many of these ideas could be assembled at home with paper or fabric scraps, but the extra effort will go a long way toward making your host feel special. Here are a few more suggestions:
- Wrap the bottle in a beautiful tea towel secured with ribbon or twine.
- Attach your favorite recipe for coq au vin or beef bourguignon.
- Include an aromatic sachet of spices along with instructions for making mulled wine.
- Use floral wire to attach a seasonal bouquet of pine cones, hypericum berries, or bittersweet vine.
- Print gift tags with your own wine witticisms: Wanna share a Cab?
When I'm sewing and have extra fabric, I often make a couple of little gift bags while I still have the sewing machine out. It's only three seams, and only takes a couple of minutes. Then when I have to wrap something last-minute (like wine), I slide it in the bag, add a ribbon, and voila: eco-friendly wrapping.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
nothin against making your own bag/wrap, but my vote goes for spending a few more bucks to buy a wine that speaks for itself, something the host will hide away for later. (please no 2 buck chucks merlot)
view ghunt's profile
good grief if I could buy a $30 bag, I could buy a better bottle of wine.
view Chloe C's profile
ghunt -- the problem with buying a great bottle of wine, is that the host isn't really paying attention when you hand it over. And it often ends up open on the same table as the two-buck chuck. Guests pour a glassful, then forget and leave them on the windowsill. Or they top it off with the cheap merlot.
To make an impression, I think a non-wine gift stands out more: champagne, scotch, etc.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
My goodness, those letterpress tags are so embarrassingly me.
view Mlle Kate's profile
May I suggest a furoshiki (the japanese cloth which you can use to wrap a bottle or other gift). They're colorful and reusable and people are always impressed by the folding and knotting possibilities.
view darcitananda's profile