• hostess gifts Archive

    “One arm longer than the other.” That’s what my mom used to call house guests who came to dinner empty-handed. If there was one thing she sought to teach us kids, it was to always bring something when invited into someone’s home. Next week marks the beginning of a season where we spend more time visiting with family and friends than we do all year. I always like to have a stash of ready-to-go gifts on hand to show the host and hostess how much I appreciate their hospitality, whether it’s my sister or a member of my book group. Of course, finding that universal gift can be challenging, so I usually defer to something that accents the home. And for Thanksgiving, what better place [&hellip

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    Walk into any supermarket, drug store, Target or Walmart these days, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a seasonal aisle that’s not overrun by Marshmallow Peeps. This well-loved Easter basket confectionery has expanded from its color palette from traditional yellow, into a vast array of rainbow-bright chicks that have now commanded their own designated section on store shelves. (Whoever said it was bunnies that multiply?). As if the love of all things Peeps couldn’t grow much bigger, Yankee Candle has just released a Peeps Marshmallow Chicks candle just in time for Easter. One whiff of this scented springtime candle, and you’ll be ready to dive into your stash of Easter treats, long before the bunny himself arrives. This weekend, on Saturday, March 15th, Yankee Candle [&hellip

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    Right now, I am listening to the ocean waves as they lap at my feet. The gulls are circling overhead as I sip from a cold concoction and inhale the tropical scents of coconut and pineapple. I inhale deeply and the intoxicating scent of salt mixed with sunscreen overcomes me…and then I wake up. Yes, my reality is that it’s snowing for the sixth time this winter (but who’s really counting), and my kids are yet again home from school. And since they’ll most likely be home again tomorrow, with frigid temperatures keeping us indoors, I’ll have to rely on my active fantasy life to get me through the next 24 hours or so. If this forecast is any indication of the next couple of [&hellip

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    How many foodies do you have on your gift list this Christmas? We’ve got a few ourselves, not to mention out-of-state peeps who appreciate a package of sweet treats. But rather than stick with the same tried-and-true gift baskets you’ve been known to send out, how about a delectable dessert that also has some health benefits? We were recently treated to Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet caramel apples, and have now found ourselves a new holiday favorite. These juicy apples are first rolled in creamy caramel, then dipped in chocolate and topped off with a variety of nuts. The result is a crunchy, delicious taste that satisfies a sweet tooth without the guilt. We love that we get our vitamin C from the fruit, while still getting [&hellip

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    Happy first weekend in November. Have you scarfed down all that Halloween candy yet, or at least put it out of plain sight? As the countdown to Thanksgiving begins, we’re trying to be a bit more…er, healthy and so that means making smarter choices in what we put in our tummies. And that’s the perfect excuse for updating your kitchen gadgets or dropping a few hints what you might appreciate under the tree this December. Because my 5-year-old has been on a smoothie kick lately (I wish I could take credit for this, but I think it’s because of Healthy Snack Fridays at school), we can truly appreciate a juicer that gets the job done and looks pretty on the kitchen counter. The Omega NC900 [&hellip

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    This Sunday marks the end of Daylight Savings Time, and not a moment too soon. I don’t know about you, but Halloween has left me a bit pooped out. (Show of hands: How many of your kids could barely make it to the bus stop this morning?) That extra hour of sleep will surely come in handy this weekend, especially after we all crash from the post trick-or-treating sugar high. As you find yourselves turning on the lights a bit earlier, consider stocking up on Cree LED bulbs. These energy-efficient light bulbs are long-lasting, shatter-proof and don’t contain any mercury (a big plus for households with young kids). And if you happen to be dining by candlelight this weekend, be sure to check out Yankee [&hellip

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    Remember when you were a kid and you could get your hands on a box of Cracker Jacks? I didn’t exactly caring for their taste, but it was the prize that I coveted. Well, I may be older now, but I haven’t outgrown my love of sweet treats and special surprises. And since the weekend is upon us, it’s the perfect time to surprise a friend or loved one. If you’re headed to a dinner party or maybe just paying a visit to a friend, you’ll want to bring them something that goes beyond a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. For the perfect hostess with the mostess gift, we are loving the new line of candles from bella j. These aren’t your [&hellip

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    My grandmother used to say, “Christmas is for kids,” but let’s face it: If it weren’t for all of Santa’s little helpers (yup, this means you), what kind of holiday would it be? You spend the entire month of December shopping, cooking, decorating and wrapping…and probably neglecting yourself in the process. But this year, it’s time to change all that and give yourself the gift of some TLC. Sure, you may not be able to swing an overnight visit to a spa, but that doesn’t mean you can’t replicate that experience at home. Our latest favorite indulgence? Goat Milk Stuff, an extensive line of lotions, soaps, bath bombs and other tub treats all made from raw goat milk. Before you go thinking that can’t possibly [&hellip

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    Ah, the wonderful scents of the season are upon us! The gingerbread cookies baking in the oven, the freshly cut Christmas tree’s boughs of pine…and that god-awful smell coming from the guest bathroom (just kidding). If your home is about to be descended upon by a barrage of family and friends this holiday season, you’ll want to freshen up the facilities with a festive scent. Poo~Pourri Santa bathroom freshener is an amusing and surprisingly effective way to keep your powder room smelling more like powder than anything else. A pleasing combination of citrus and evergreen, this spray puts the kibosh any unpleasant odors with a simple spritz. If you’ll be Christmasing at someone else’s home this year, consider the Santa Poo~Pourri Toilet Paper Giftset as [&hellip

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