Hostess With the Mostess (and Hostess Gifts to Give in Return)

Make Your Guests Feel More Than Welcome / A Hostess Gift When You're the Guest

'Tis the season of house guests. I love a host who provides special touches that make me feel more than welcome. I asked a few friends about things they implement and receive, and thought about traditions in my own family. Here are those ideas you might like to use during this season.

Garden & Gun, cheese straws by Brian Noyes of Red Truck Bakery, photo by Johnny Autry

Having snacks out around common rooms lets guests know they should feel at home and help themselves. My stepmother typically has spiced nuts. I've been using this spiced pecan recipe for years, which you can tweak to your liking. My mother, and almost everyone else in Memphis, always had Aunt Lizzie's cheese straws on hand. This recipe in Garden and Gun, a version by Brian Noyes, owner of Red Truck Bakery, is a good stand-in. My mother also always had ribbon candy during the holidays, which is a treat for the eyes.

Ripple Carafe Set, Ferm Living, Finnish Design Store

Amy Sklar, of Amy Sklar Interior Design, is a friend who I knew would have the details perfected. She preps the guest room with a small vase of flowers, mini shampoos and lotions, and a water carafe on the bedside table. This carafe set from Ferm Living at the Finnish Design Store is equally elegant and functional. My stepmother provides a stack of magazines in the guest room, including local publications.

Kindergarten

Asking my friend, Jocelyn Mangan, founder and CEO of Him For Her, left me with the most surprising ideas for special touches. She frequently stays with a long-time friend and colleague who welcomes her with photos of them from years past, as well as inspirational quotes written on postcards. This is going above and beyond and will surely be loved by both friends and family.

How to say thanks to your host? A new pair of house shoes is the best hostess gift, of course. She'll be admiring yours during your stay after all. The Indigo Blue & Gold is forever the top seller and is sure to delight.

Need guests to have a set of house keys during their stay? Make it lovely and easy to find with our new leather keychains.