From the Gift Closet: Host Gift Shopping | Episode |

October 20, 2011

Stocking up on host gifts means saving time later – you’ll have a quick choice to make and wrap before heading out to a party or weekend. Sally takes us host gift shopping in L.A.

My mother always said “Never come empty-handed” to anyone’s home, and I really try to follow her instructions in this case. In an upcoming episode, I interview Phoebe Lapine and Cara Eisenpress, the co-authors of In the Small Kitchen (and the terrific blog that preceded the cookbook) about party gifts. The ladies, who are in their twenties, say booze is best. For the rest of us, who may have exhausted the right to regift a bottle of wine at every turn, it might be necessary to up the ante, with an orchid plant or – if you have time – something personalized. Or – at least – to bring a special bottle, like the cute Swanson Modern House Wines, with sayings like “Merci” and “Thrilled For You” right on the bottle.

If someone hosts you for Thanksgiving dinner, a weekend in the country, or someone else’s baby shower, figuring out the perfect gift can be tricky. That’s where some of the gifts I found in this episode come in. LAMill has a great website (with a DEAL for VGL viewers)– but if you don’t live in L.A., the equivalent would be to find a locally-made product in your hometown-- particularly one your town is known for. (When I’m in Nantucket, I often buy chocolate covered cranberries at Aunt Leah’s Fudge, a local specialty.)

Specialty boutiques like Yolk are the greatest, online or off. (And they’ve generously given us a DEAL, too, fyi.) Other online boutiques I like for gifts are: Vivre, Wisteria, and Nest.

But remember – you don’t have to buy anything fancy (or buy anything at all – you can make something, or give something of your own, like an old book) – just bring something that honors your host for his/her generosity. It’s not easy to have guests; hosts always deserve a #VGL gift.