7 Delicious, Unconventional Hostess Gifts for Your Memorial Day Party

It's Memorial Day weekend, so chances are you've got some type of barbecue or get-together coming up. And while there's nothing wrong with bringing a bottle of wine to a party, I like to bring something a little more creative and memorable. I tend to lean toward edible gifts, which are always well-received and easy to package in vintage glass jars and bottles from thrift shops or the dollar store. Homemade jams, syrups and flavoured sugars are personal, and can also be inexpensive to make yourself. Here are 7 creative hostess gifts to bring to your Memorial Day party:

Homemade bacon jam1. Homemade bacon jam
Could there be a more well-received gift? Mix up a big batch of bacon jam and keep a stash of jars in the fridge to grab and go whenever an occasion presents itself. Just be careful not to devour it all yourself!

Bacon Jam Recipe
1 lb good-quality bacon
1 small onion, finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup coffee, cola or beer
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey

Roughly chop the bacon and cook it in a heavy pot; transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon, draining off most of the drippings. Saute the onion and garlic cloves in the rest for 5 minutes, until soft and starting to turn golden.

Return the bacon to the pan, add the brown sugar, coffee and maple syrup and cook over medium heat for half an hour, or until deep golden and thickened to the consistency of jam.

If you like, cool and pulse in the food processor for a finer texture. Serve warm or cold. Keeps in a sealed container in the fridge for a week or two, if it lasts that long.

Related: 15 grilled recipes for Memorial Day that you'll be repeating all summer


2. Real vanilla extract
Making your own is much easier than you'd think and it looks gourmet with whole vanilla beans in glass jars. It takes just minutes to make, so start now and store a shelf of jars so you'll be prepared for every summer occasion!
Make vanilla extract







Homemade Pickles3. Homemade pickles
It's easy to make a quick batch of refrigerator pickles using whatever is in season or in your fridge.
Make homemade pickles









Heirloom Tomatoes4. Heirloom tomatoes
When they're in season, a beautiful "bouquet" of colourful heirloom tomatoes make the perfect hostess gift.











Related: 10 unconventional potato salads to mix up your Memorial Day menu




A pound of locally roasted coffee5. A pound of locally roasted coffee
Coffee lovers will appreciate a fresh bag of beans - especially the morning after the party.















A jar of vanilla sugar6. A jar of vanilla sugar
Homemade flavored sugars couldn't be easier - tuck a vanilla bean, a few strips of citrus rind, or some lavender into a vintage jar of sugar - the sugar will quickly become infused with flavour. Perfect for sweetening whipped cream, tea, sliced fruit - use your imagination!









A bowl of cherries7. A bowl of cherries
Pick up a pretty bowl and fill it with cherries, berries, or whatever is beautiful, juicy and in season.












- By Julie Van Rosendaal
Follow Julie on Babble

For 4 more hostess gifts for Memorial Day, visit Babble!

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