Metro Gift Ideas

If you’re invited to a party, you’ll want to let your host know that you’re grateful for their hard work. A hostess gift is the perfect way to show your appreciation. Even though a bottle of wine is always a nice gesture, there’s something to be said about a creative gift that includes your personal touch. Here are some suggestions for unique homemade hostess gifts:

Never arrive empty-handed

A hostess gift is not just a formality, but a chance to experience the joy of giving pleasure. Still, finding amidst the holiday clutter of baubles and boxes, gifts and gewgaws that little something that is unique, not too personal and sure to please is a real challenge. Just the thought of the long search ahead is enough to elicit a "Bah! Humbug!"

Ah! you have the perfect solution: a nice bottle of wine! That's always suitable. However, the wine you choose so carefully might not even be opened at the meal unless you have consulted your host. Why? Because your wine might not complement the meal, in which case it will be enjoyed some other time.

Truth be told, there is nothing finer than to hear the delighted cry "You made this’" when you give something homemade. Since a great wrapping job contributes quite a bit to the overall impression the gift will make, be creative and add a personal touch. No need to run all over town.

Now that you have the general idea, simply drop by your favourite Metro where you'll find lots of suggestions for presents to make at home. Your time is the most precious gift you can give.

Thirteen Suggestions

A potted plant. If you give a bouquet of flowers, your host needs to spend time finding the right vase. A potted plant is ready to be placed wherever your host wants!

A pomander is typically an orange studded with cloves and is intended to add a beautiful festive fragrance to any room. Arrange the cloves in a ribbon or Christmas tree pattern.

Prepare a 17^th century style dessert using walnuts, raisins, almonds, and figs to make a truly tasty gift.

For tea lovers, prepare a pretty parcel of lemons, Scottish shortbread, marmalade, and a selection of fine teas.

Show a cook that you care with kitchen gadgets: a lemon squeezer and three lemons, a mushroom brush and a package of beautiful white mushrooms, a nutmeg or a ginger grater with the proper spice.

Wrap up some couscous with cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne, and saffron to warm the heart of your winter-hating friends.

A bouquet of coloured candles tied up in a big, bright ribbon is perfect for those long winter nights.

Three bars of stain-removing soap tied together with tape may not be a very artistic gift but it’s sure to come in handy!

A selection of pasta: spaghetti, spaghettini, linguine, fettucine, rotini, tagliatelle, penne and a jar of homemade sauce. The combinations are endless!

Fancy Christmas cookies: checkerboard shortbread, cinnamon nut sticks, gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and other family favourites. Pack the baked cookies in cardboard or tin boxes, gold net bags, or wicker baskets and add a few cookie cutters.

Quick and easy chocolate truffles rolled in cocoa are sure to please any chocoholic. This is one case where excess is good!

Grandma’s fruitcake in a stoneware baking dish garnished with a few sprigs of holly will add to the holiday spirit.

For fans of cookbooks. Add a prepared dish from your host’s favourite cookbook and your host will truly appreciate the effort!

As an after-thought, call or e-mail your host the next day to thank them!