20 clever hostess gifts

<em><img alt="Lucas Allen" title="Lucas Allen" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Nov07/1107_life_hostess_gifts_2.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="240">Ingenious presents that you can buy in multiples to have on hand all year long</em> <p><em>Shown counterclockwise from top left:</em> </p><p><strong>1. Plates, $58 for Four</strong> </p><p>Make the hostess happy with one of these pretty porcelain dishes -- topped with your famous sugar cookies, of course. For an even sweeter touch, add a clear cellophane wrapper and a ribbon. Also in a chocolate-and-ivory combination.<br> <strong>To Buy:</strong> Williams-Sonoma Home Cloud dessert plates in cobalt/blue, www.wshome.com. </p><p><strong>2. Preserves, $30 for Three Jars</strong> </p><p>Choose from seven flavors to create a customized box of three, or give just one jar with a wedge of cheese or some shortbread.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Harvest Song Trio gift set, www.harvestsongventures.com. </p><p><strong>3. Drinking Chocolate, $50 for Four Tins</strong> </p><p>A tin of contentment. This smooth mix will keep the hostess smiling long after her big event.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Schokinag European Drinking Chocolate, www.worldpantry.com. </p><p><strong>4. Wine-Infused Chocolates, $22 for Four Tins</strong> </p><p>Combine two of life&#39;s best indulgences with these spiked treats. Pair with No. 3 for utter excess.<br> <strong>To Buy:</strong> Torn Ranch Wine-Infused Chocolates, www.tornranch.com. </p><p><strong>5. Tea, $10 Each for Three or More Boxes</strong> </p><p>Each box of tea is labeled with a title (my friend, happy birthday) and contains 25 tea bags that are tagged with thoughtful messages, such as &quot;When I count my blessings, I count you twice.&quot; Varieties include chamomile with almond and English breakfast.(Single boxes, $12.50.)<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Bag Ladies Tea Blossom Collection, www.bagladiestea.com. </p><p><strong>From <em>Real Simple</em>: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1133984,00.html?xid=yshicleho5">No-Wrap Gift Boxes</a></strong> </p><p><em><img alt="Lucas Allen" title="Lucas Allen" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Nov07/1107_life_hostess_gifts_3.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="240">Shown from left to right:</em> </p><p><strong>1. Zagat Guides, $25 for Two Guides, $46 for Four</strong> </p><p>Insider Zagat bibles now cover everything from golf courses in the United States to global shopping and can be handpicked in bundles of two or more. Pair with No. 2 for the serious jet-setter.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>www.zagat.com. </p><p><strong>2. Magnets, $20 for 24</strong> </p><p>Your adventurous host will be, well, magnetized by this assortment, reproduced from vintage maps. Each box features a different selection, ranging from maps of the world to individual cities. Break up the set and include a few with a Zagat guide as the perfect thank-you for a (movable) feast.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Cavalinni Papers &amp; Co. magnet sets, www.anthropologie.com. </p><p><strong>3. Sauce, $25 for Four Bottles</strong> </p><p>Exotic blends, like wasabi ginger and honey barbecue, make these sauces great for marinating meats and dipping crudités.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Stonewall Kitchen Jonathan&#39;s Favorite Grille Sauce Collection, www.stonewallkitchen.com. </p><p><strong>4. Seasoning, $20 for Four Tins</strong> </p><p>Texas Red and Kansas City Steak Rubs add a little spice to any barbecue. Pair with No. for even more flavor.<br> <strong>To Buy:</strong> Victoria&#39;s Gourmet seasoning set, www.vgourmet.com. </p><p><strong>5. Peanuts, $15 for Four Bags</strong> </p><p>These extra-large Virginia peanuts, in the shell and salted, come in 12-ounce muslin bags. They make for a tasty, good-looking year-round gift that can be munched on during the seventh-inning stretch or in front of a favorite movie.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Feridies Virginia peanuts, www.feridies.com. </p><p><strong>See <em>Real Simple</em>&#39;s Tips on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1133623,00.html?xid=yshicleho6">Storing Holiday Decorations</a>.</strong> </p><p><em><img alt="Lucas Allen" title="Lucas Allen" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Nov07/1107_life_hostess_gifts_4.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="240">Shown from left to right:</em> </p><p><strong>1. Spreads, $24 for Three Jars</strong> </p><p>Any of these low-fat spreads -- in olive and white bean, Tuscan artichoke, and spicy roasted red pepper -- create a delectable duo with a hearty loaf of multigrain bread.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>NapaStyle Bread Spreads Trio, www.napastyle.com. </p><p><strong>2. Olives, $84 for 12 Jars</strong> </p><p>These olives -- infused with sake, vodka, vermouth, or gin -- will kick your regular garnish right out of the glass. Give your hostess a jar along with a bottle of the real stuff. Everyone&#39;s martini will thank you. (And olives can keep for two years, so stock up.)<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Sable &amp; Rosenfeld Tipsy Olives, www.gourmetathome.net. </p><p><strong>3. Salt, $139 for 12 Jars</strong> </p><p>Packaged in glass jars, these artisanal salts from locations like France and Hawaii are present-ready in a pinch.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Artisan Salt Company Ultimate Collection, www.seasalt.com. </p><p><strong>4. Honey, $21 for Four Jars</strong> </p><p>She&#39;ll get a buzz out of these flavored nectars, such as orange blossom, black sage, and creamed raspberry.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Savannah Bee Company Honey Sampler, www.savannahbee.com. </p><p><strong>5. Dish Soap, $10 for Three Bottles</strong> </p><p>Help your hostess tackle that inevitable tower of dishes in style with one of Mrs. Meyer&#39;s all-natural dish soaps, scented with lemon verbena, geranium, or lavender. Add a pretty block-print dish towel by Artgoodies (shown bottom right, $15, www.elsewares.com). Better still, stay behind for the cleanup.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Mrs. Meyer&#39;s Clean Day Dish Soap Pack, www.mrsmeyers.com. </p><p><strong>See <em>Real Simple</em>&#39;s <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1689591,00.html?xid=yshicleho3">Holiday Entertaining Toolkit</a>.</strong> </p><p><em><img alt="Lucas Allen" title="Lucas Allen" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Nov07/1107_life_hostess_gifts_5.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="240">Shown counterclockwise from top left:</em> </p><p><strong>1. Case of Wine, $120 for 10 Bottles</strong> </p><p>You can&#39;t beat a consistently good $10 bottle of wine. This Zinfandel stands on its own and goes well with most foods and cheeses. Skip the liquor store&#39;s foil wrap and present the wine in a canvas bag in a single or double size. The bags at right come in natural, colored, and embroidered designs with a cane handle ($6 to $10 each, www.bringitinabag.com).<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>2005 Ravenswood Vinter&#39;s Blend Zinfandel, www.ravenswoodwinery.com. </p><p><strong>2. Vases, $50 for Five</strong> </p><p>Pick one of five uniquely shaped vases in five different colors and pop in a single stem. An all-white set is also available.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>merican Bungalow mini vases, www.rosannainc.com. </p><p><strong>3. Olive oil and vinegar, $30 for Four</strong> </p><p>Ideal for dipping bread. Give a single bottle with a baguette or the full set (two bottles of olive oil, two of vinegar).<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Round Pond &quot;Mini&quot; Four-Bottle Gift Set, www.roundpond.com. </p><p><strong>4. Candles, $50 for Eight</strong> </p><p>These aromatic votives, in scents such as fresh cream and hazelnut, come in a pretty tin that&#39;s perfect for holding cookies after you&#39;ve given the candles away. Combine with No. 5.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Fruits &amp; Passion Cucina Dolce candles, www.fruits-passion.com. </p><p><strong>5. Matchboxes, $8 for Six</strong> </p><p>These designer matchboxes, decorated with monkeys and their classic dicta (hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil), will add a little extra spark when paired with No. 4.<br> <strong>To Buy: </strong>Design Temple Mantra Matchboxes, www.conranusa.com. </p><p><strong>More from <em>Real Simple</em>:<br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1548768,00.html?xid=yshicleho1">Setting the Holiday Table</a><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1557875,00.html?xid=yshicleho2">White Dishes 4 Ways</a><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1560965,00.html?xid=yshicleho4">Holiday Decorating Ideas from the Craft Store</a></strong> </p>