Windy City Party Etiquette: Easy Hostess Gifts
By Caitlin Klein in Food on Dec 2, 2010 7:20PM
Homemade hot cocoa mix makes a thoughtful and unique hostess gift during the holidays.
The holiday season is upon us, friends, and you know what that means. Parties. Lots of them. Be it Hanukkah, Christmas, or otherwise, you’re bound to find yourself in someone’s home, making small talk and avoiding the mistletoe lest that mouth-breathing creeper ogling you from across the room tries to make a move.
Courtesy and our Midwestern sense of good manners dictate that you bring the host or hostess a small gift as a thank-you for opening their home to you and your unruly bunch of friends. But wait! Before you go out and buy that hideous snowman potholder, consider these three easy and thoughtful gifts that your host will actually use and appreciate.
Bottle of Wine. Bringing a bottle of wine to a party never goes out of style. Choose something in the $10-20 range, and try to find a unique label. (Read: No 3-Buck Chuck or Carlo Rossi jugs.) We recommend the $10 bottle rack at Lush Wine & Sprits - the staff can help you choose the perfect red or white to delight your host or hostess. Added bonus to this gift: They’ll probably open the bottle during the party, which means more wine for you!
Chicago Coffee. Your host will appreciate a bag of quality grounds. The little luxury of a nice cup of premium coffee will result in a thankful host and get you invited to future parties. We recommend Metropolis Coffee, because it’s a Chicago company and coffee lovers swear by it. A bag will run you about $13.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix. For an inexpensive and personal hostess gift, make your own hot cocoa mix and dress it up a jar or container. Here’s an easy, basic recipe:
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
You can get creative by adding your own spices or additions to the mix - nutmeg, vanilla, or even chili powder. Then just tell your host to add 3 tablespoons of the mix to a cup of milk, stir, and heat.
Good luck surviving party season!