As the holiday season winds down, I’m having the chance to get a gentle breather to recap on the amazing dinner parties and get-togethers I have been invited to over the past few weeks. Though I attended all of them with hostess gifts in tow, I feel it is customary to send a special thank you to those who went above and beyond to make their guests, including myself, feel extra special. So what do you gift someone to show appreciation? I have a few special items in different price ranges that are always on standby when I need something that says “Thanks for being such a good friend to me.” Here are seven gifts your friends wouldn’t mind getting in different price ranges.
$10 or less: A gorgeous thank you card
Proper etiquette dictates that one must always send a thank you note showing appreciation for a gift or an invitation to a party. Instead of the customary personalized stationary, I usually opt for a gorgeous card from Papyrus or Kate Spade, which can also serve as a keepsake.
$20 or less: A bottle of wine or a box of Chocolate
My friends appreciate a nice bottle of wine as thank you gifts. You can look at it from the perspective of replenishing your friend’s wine reserve after that amazing dinner party. Look for his or her favorite varietal or opt for something seasonal. I love a good rose or sparkling wine. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Miraval rosé is a must. The bottle is also very chic. A few other options under $20 include Domaine Chandon Brut Sparkling Wine ($16), Helfrich Brut Crémant d’Alsace ($20), 2012 Maison Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay ($18), 2010 Ouled Thaleb Syrah ($16) and 2012 Allan Scott Pinot Noir ($15).
If your friend has a sweet tooth, go for something edible like Jacques Torres ‘Jacques Choice 12 Piece’ chocolate, which has an impressive assortment of flavors that range from buttery caramels to nutty pralines, ganaches, exotic tea and spice infusions, chocolate perfectly blended with real fruit and wine, and even a “mystery” flavor. Make sure to nab a spicy hot chocolate for yourself.
$30 or less: A scented candle
Does anyone hate a scrumptious scented candle? My guess is no one. I love scents that add a light accent of my favorite notes, and so do my friends. I usually gift mini Dipytique candles ($30) or Nest Fragrance ‘Passion’ Candle ($24). A few of my other favorites include L’Occitane, Voluspa, Qualitas, DayNa Decker, Bluewick Home and Jeremiah Brent Design candles.
$40 or less: Something edible
Give your host something sweet or savory. My favorite ladies get Laduree macarons, which come in beautiful boxes. At around $20 for a mini box, these macarons are the perfect gifts to say merci beaucoup. If your friend happens to be allergic to nuts, opt for Georgetown Cupcake, which makes some lovely flavors, vanilla coconut anyone? Best of all, they ship nationwide so your friend can sink his or her teeth into something sweet. I also love gifting items from The Savory Pantry, which has gift sets in all price ranges for the foodie.
$50 or less: Champagne
If you’ve got the cash to splurge, go for an impressive bottle of champagne like Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin NV Yellow Label Brut Sparkling, which comes in a beautiful orange box to make it easy to wrap and gift. You also can’t go wrong with Moët & Chandon Imperial, Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier NV, or La Caravelle Champagne Rosé.
$50 or more: Flowers
Say thank you with a beautiful bouquet from your local florist or one of the floral delivery services that can get your friend a fresh floral arrangement across the country. Flowers can get super pricey so make sure you look for ones that are in season. Tulips and roses are always a good choice. You can up the ante a bit with a peony arrangement. I love florists like Flower Muse. They have an awesome inventory of season and exotic flowers to tickle anyone’s fancy. I also love Scotts Flowers, which delivers in Manhattan delivers to other boroughs as well as West Chester and Long Island. If you can’t buy local, FTD and 1-800-Flowers are both good options.
MORE THANK YOU GIFTS
