20 clever hostess gifts on Shine

<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 Shown counterclockwise from top left: 1. Plates, $58 for Four 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. To Buy: Williams-Sonoma Home Cloud dessert plates in cobalt/blue, www.wshome.com. 2. Preserves, $30 for Three Jars Choose from seven flavors to create a customized box of three, or give just one jar with a wedge of cheese or some shortbread. To Buy: Harvest Song Trio gift set, www.harvestsongventures.com. 3. Drinking Chocolate, $50 for Four Tins A tin of contentment. This smooth mix will keep the hostess smiling long after her big event. To Buy: Schokinag European Drinking Chocolate, www.worldpantry.com. 4. Wine-Infused Chocolates, $22 for Four Tins Combine two of life's best indulgences with these spiked treats. Pair with No. 3 for utter excess. To Buy: Torn Ranch Wine-Infused Chocolates, www.tornranch.com. 5. Tea, $10 Each for Three or More Boxes 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 "When I count my blessings, I count you twice." Varieties include chamomile with almond and English breakfast.(Single boxes, $12.50.) To Buy: Bag Ladies Tea Blossom Collection, www.bagladiestea.com. From Real Simple: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1133984,00.html?xid=yshicleho5">No-Wrap Gift Boxes</a> <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: 1. Zagat Guides, $25 for Two Guides, $46 for Four 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. To Buy: www.zagat.com. 2. Magnets, $20 for 24 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. To Buy: Cavalinni Papers & Co. magnet sets, www.anthropologie.com. 3. Sauce, $25 for Four Bottles Exotic blends, like wasabi ginger and honey barbecue, make these sauces great for marinating meats and dipping crudités. To Buy: Stonewall Kitchen Jonathan's Favorite Grille Sauce Collection, www.stonewallkitchen.com. 4. Seasoning, $20 for Four Tins Texas Red and Kansas City Steak Rubs add a little spice to any barbecue. Pair with No. for even more flavor. To Buy: Victoria's Gourmet seasoning set, www.vgourmet.com. 5. Peanuts, $15 for Four Bags 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. To Buy: Feridies Virginia peanuts, www.feridies.com. See Real Simple'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>. <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: 1. Spreads, $24 for Three Jars 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. To Buy: NapaStyle Bread Spreads Trio, www.napastyle.com. 2. Olives, $84 for 12 Jars 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's martini will thank you. (And olives can keep for two years, so stock up.) To Buy: Sable & Rosenfeld Tipsy Olives, www.gourmetathome.net. 3. Salt, $139 for 12 Jars Packaged in glass jars, these artisanal salts from locations like France and Hawaii are present-ready in a pinch. To Buy: Artisan Salt Company Ultimate Collection, www.seasalt.com. 4. Honey, $21 for Four Jars She'll get a buzz out of these flavored nectars, such as orange blossom, black sage, and creamed raspberry. To Buy: Savannah Bee Company Honey Sampler, www.savannahbee.com. 5. Dish Soap, $10 for Three Bottles Help your hostess tackle that inevitable tower of dishes in style with one of Mrs. Meyer'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. To Buy: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap Pack, www.mrsmeyers.com. See Real Simple's <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1689591,00.html?xid=yshicleho3">Holiday Entertaining Toolkit</a>. <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: 1. Case of Wine, $120 for 10 Bottles You can'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'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). To Buy: 2005 Ravenswood Vinter's Blend Zinfandel, www.ravenswoodwinery.com. 2. Vases, $50 for Five Pick one of five uniquely shaped vases in five different colors and pop in a single stem. An all-white set is also available. To Buy: merican Bungalow mini vases, www.rosannainc.com. 3. Olive oil and vinegar, $30 for Four Ideal for dipping bread. Give a single bottle with a baguette or the full set (two bottles of olive oil, two of vinegar). To Buy: Round Pond "Mini" Four-Bottle Gift Set, www.roundpond.com. 4. Candles, $50 for Eight These aromatic votives, in scents such as fresh cream and hazelnut, come in a pretty tin that's perfect for holding cookies after you've given the candles away. Combine with No. 5. To Buy: Fruits & Passion Cucina Dolce candles, www.fruits-passion.com. 5. Matchboxes, $8 for Six 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. To Buy: Design Temple Mantra Matchboxes, www.conranusa.com. More from Real Simple: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1548768,00.html?xid=yshicleho1">Setting the Holiday Table</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1557875,00.html?xid=yshicleho2">White Dishes 4 Ways</a> <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>