Details People

The Wine Bottle

You get invited to a friends home for one reason or another. It never fails... should I bring something? Why, it depends. If you are just dropping by to say hello after a busy week at work- I vote no. However, if you have been invited over for a home cooked meal or to celebrate a special occasion of any sort- most obviously yes.

A bottle of wine. This is a fool proof sign of appreciation and love. I am constantly keeping my eyes open for a good sale on a great bottle of wine. Recently, Skinny Girl went on sale for 1/2 off normal price! Total steal at $7 a bottle instead of the usual $14. Needless to say I yanked a couple of those bottles right off the shelf!

Option 1. Thrust said wine bottle into your friend/host's hand upon arrival at their front door. PLEASE DON'T. Please have a little more tact than that. Pretty please. Think about the reason you are showing up at his or her front door to begin with. Bachelorette party? Bridal shower? Holiday get-together? 

Oh ok, it's a holiday party. Great! Find a cute little ornament to slip around the neck of the wine bottle. Top it off with a bit of ribbon and voila- it looks like you care. Which is a good thing considering you are friends and should care in the first place! 

So it's a hostess gift. No need to go nuts here. Recently I was out and about when I stumbled into this supper cute jute bag at Trader Joes for a $1.60. What a great bargan!! And again, it looks like you actually care.

Have a bachelorette party on your hands? Well then! Let the fun begin! And we all know that the giving of panties and the giving of alcohol is standard at these events. Why not combine the two and throw in some red lipstick or OPI?. And yes, there is a classy way to do this ladies.

The Gift Basket

A bottle of wine is not your only foolproof sign of love and appreciation! Gift baskets are also a great go to.

Option 1. Go to convenience store and purchase pre-made basket of goodies. Show up and hand off basket. Can we get any more impersonal? NOPE. That just about does it. Again, take a moment to think, "Why am I doing this in the first place?". Then, let it evolve from there.

Staying with a friend you haven't seen in a few months? Chances are you want to show up with a little somethin' somethin' meaningful. Try to keep your eyes peeled for creative packaging. Take a walk around Target or your local craft store. The options are truly endless! 

My husband and I are recently headed up to Atlanta to stay with some dear friends for New Years. They loved the gift basket we brought so I though I would share! 

Amazing what you can find for a dollar! This linen and flower clip were just one buck each.

Crackers for $2.50 a box at Trader Joes. The Jalepeno raspberry jam was from Sweet Grass Dairy - a splurge at $10 - but worth every penny.

Found this cute jar and spoon set for $3 at Hobby Lobby and filled it with a homemade wine spice.

The finished product! All set and ready to give! 

I hope you find these suggestions helpful as you prepare for your next round of get-togethers! Whenever they may be! Just remember, a little bit of thought goes a long way in making an extra great impression.