9 Creative Hostess Gifts That You Can DIY for The Holidays

It’s that time of the year; the time for parties, gatherings, and the time to thank special people. Not only are these great homemade hostess gift ideas, but they are also great options for gifting the folks that help us regularly during the year - hairdresser, mailman, trash crew, our kid’s favorite teachers, sweet neighbors, etc.

1. Holiday House Seasoning

Here’s a spin on Paula Deen’s House Seasoning that this interior designer have been using for years.  It is perfect for seasoning poultry, fish, meats, vegetables, eggs, dressings and more. The ingredients are typically used in most savory recipes and in similar proportions. Via Home with Holliday

2. Spiced Vanilla Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe

The best part about this body scrub was that it took 5 minutes to make with only 4 ingredients. This body scrub only requires coconut oil, raw sugar (such as turbinado) or granulated sugar, vanilla extract and some fall spices. You can combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove to get that yummy pumpkin pie fragrance, but you could use any combination you like. Via Sanctuary Home Decor

3. Handmade Stove Top Christmas Potpourri 

Learn how to make your own stovetop potpourri to give as a beautiful handmade Christmas gift! Includes Downloadable free printable gift tags to go along with this lovely holiday gift! The beautiful thing about making your own homemade stovetop potpourri is that you can customize it with an array of ingredients!  You can use seasonal fruit, herbs, and spices to make a blend that smells amazing! Some of the best spices to use are cinnamon, cloves, and allspice! These spices produce a wonderful aroma that naturally makes your home smell just like Christmas! Via Boodwood Avenue

4. DIY Lavender-Rosemary Homemade Candles

I’m here to tell you (and show you) that homemade candles 100% qualify as “simple.” Actually, they are beyond simple. Yes, they require a little bit of time (about 30 minutes), but the end result is a gift that family and friends love…a homemade candle made with love and natural ingredients.

The most wonderful part about making homemade candles is that you can use inexpensive mason jars, drinking glasses, clean baby food jars, tea cups, coffee cups, or little metal containers. There’s no limit to the scents and types of containers you can use (okay, no plastic…so maybe there is a limit). Via Live Simply

5. Celebrate Centerpiece for Table

Help elevate the holiday celebrations with this adorable Celebrate Centerpiece for Table. The hostess will be able to reuse these time and time again whatever the celebration calls for. 

Most party goods get used for a few hours, and then are thrown away. Ultimately, they end up in landfills which are (sadly) overflowing. Isn't it ironic that the items we use to celebrate our happiest moments have a shorter lifespan than a quart of milk?  Anyway, we intentionally designed reusable party goods so the hostess can enjoy them again and again. Shop now. 

6. Fresh Herb Bouquet Hostess Gift

Learn how easy it is to make a fresh herb bouquet.  Grab a small mason jar or even a cute tin can that you can upcycle, fill it with water, and take small clippings of a variety of herbs. Mix a bit of almost everything: mint, marjoram, basil, oregano, parsley, and rosemary.  The different styles and sizes of leaves mixed with different textures really create a cute bouquet. Via Duke and Duchesses

7. DIY Gold Initial Mug

Sometimes the best things are the simplest, right?  While initial mugs are everywhere right now and certainly not a novelty why not take a stab at a version of the ‘anthropologie-inspired’ initial mug with lavender. Via Earnest Home

8. DIY Pumpkin Cranberry Bread in a Mason Jar

It’s that time of year when we are baking and gift giving. Sometimes you don’t have time to do both, but by making a DIY Holiday Baked Gift in a Jar you are giving the gift of baking without turning your oven on. These make great teacher gifts, hostess gifts, neighbor gifts, hairdresser gifts, babysitter gifts, office colleague gifts–anyone you want to express your appreciation to this Holiday season or throughout the year. Via Culdesac Cool

9. DIY Assorted Coffee Kit

It’s a gift for coffee lovers everywhere! Coffee gifts are easy to put together and are great for pairing with gift cards. In a small box assemble some instant coffee or coffee pods to create a mini coffee kit so your hostess can have a delicious cup of coffee in the morning. Includes printable gift tag. Via A Pumpkin And A Princess

Summary

Whether you're going to a dinner party, attending a holiday event in a coworker's home, or staying with someone for the weekend, why not show your gratitude by bringing something to your hosts? Yes, it is still in vogue to bring a gift for the host or hostess when you go to a party or even a casual get-together. Remember that the size or price of the gift is insignificant. As soon as possible after you return home, send a handwritten thank you note to the host or hostess. You will want to do this, even if you brought a gift. The note doesn’t have to be long, but it should be heartfelt. A simple show of gratitude is all that is necessary.