Ask A Pittsburgh Expert: Ideas For Hostess Gifts

If you are planning to attend some holiday house parties this year, it is polite to bring a gift for the host or hostess. If he or she is not a close friend, choosing a gift may be difficult. If you are looking for a gift that will stand out from the crowd, rather than the typical flowers or chocolates, Larry Scott, co-owner of Modern Mercantile in Carnegie, has some great gift ideas to get you invited back next year.

Modern Mercantile owners George Arnold and Larry Scott enjoyed careers as visual merchandisers and recently opened Modern Mercantile in Carnegie to share their eye for beautiful objects. Their shop features a collection of beautiful products for the home made by local artisans as well as small US craftsmen. At Modern Mercantile, customers can find an ever-changing array of stylish and lovely gifts, home accessories and luxuries for man's best friend.

Sure, your hostess may have candles, but does she have a pair of hand-dipped beeswax tapers? Small luxuries made of fine ingredients make an excellent gift. Hand blown glass, cashmere gloves or parchment note paper are things most people don't buy every day, but would love to have. A little luxurious gift is sure to make your hostess smile each time she uses it.

Choose a beautiful, but neutral holiday ornament as a gift for your hostess so that it is more likely to match with her decor. Mercury glass is a great option as well as white, silver or gold. As you get to know your hostess, you can bring an ornament each year that matches her taste and help to establish a collection. It's a great way to start a new tradition with a new friend.

Does your host like to cook? Bring him a new kitchen gadget. Does your hostess like to garden? How about some new gardening tools for spring? If you share a hobby in common, such as baking, share your favorite recipe along with a beautiful jar layered with the dry ingredients. Everyone has something that they love and taking time to find this out about your hostess will go a long way.

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Bars of beautiful smelling soap are something that any hostess would enjoy. They can be used to grace a guest bathroom or for her own personal stash. Modern Mercantile carries a lovely line of soaps in scents such as lemongrass and teatree, rosemary mint and English lavender. Add a terrycloth soap pocket for the perfect complement.

A nice bottle of wine is a classic hostess gift. If you know what will be served at the party, bring something to complement the fare. A great wine can spark some interesting conversation. A good wine does not need to be expensive. If you're not an expert, try one of the Chairman's Selection wines available at PA Wine and Spirits stores. These wines are high-scoring, well-made wines at affordable price points sure to add enjoyment to any dinner. If your hostess doesn't open the wine at the party, though, don't be offended. She may be saving it all for herself.

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