Holiday Gift Guide - Hostess, Co-Worker, Teacher

Today's guide offers ideas for the hostess, co-worker, and teacher. Your relationship with any of these people can vary greatly - this may be someone you are incredibly close with, or someone you don't know at all on a personal level, so this affects your choice in gift and what is or is not appropriate - I believe this guide reflects that variance well:

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The Details... a gift for the home is always a good way to go when shopping for a hostess gift. I worked in gourment/specialty food for a long time and became quite adept at putting together food related gift baskets.
A combination of olive oils, salts, aged balsamics, honeys, chocolates, cheeses etc. is a really nice and useful gift; I like to group an assortment of items by locale, such as artisanal cheese, honey and flatbread from Marin County, CA, or salt, butter, and caramels from Brittany, France. I like this California flavored dipping oil and dish duo - Olivier Gift Crate. Gifts for the kitchen are especially appropriate for the hostess.  Pretty linens and table accouterments, like these beautiful, gold Chilewich Dahlia Placemats or one of the adorable aprons from Anthropologie (I have two, they are awesome) are really thoughtful gifts - a couple years ago I had a Christmas soiree and one of my girlfriends brought me a set of really pretty, stylish cloth napkins - this gift was especially fitting as I just recently moved into the apartment where the party was held and it was my first time living with my boyfriend. I was in hyper-nesting mode, making a present like napkins seem immensely special. An ornament! Provided you know your gift-ee celebrates Christmas an has a tree an ornament is a great gift, especially if you are attending a a party and just want to bring something small for the hostess. She can enjoy it right away and for years to come; Savannah Story Ornament, Rhino. 

Scented gifts, like these diffusing rods and trio of Tocca perfumes are not necessarily the best choice for someone you don't know at all as some people are very sensitive or particular about scents but are still lovely gifts, and if you are unsure about someones preference just include a gift receipt or make sure to shop somewhere, like Sephora, you know makes easy returns. Simpatico Diffuser and Tocca Eau de Parfum Viaggio. I love these lacy earrings and this datebook is a great choice for a co-worker or a teacher - again may be best to include a gift receipt - some people are very particular about their planners (me)! Laced Snowflake Earrings and 2011 Paper Source Booklet Calendar.  

I am in love with this MXMJ umbrella, and I think it makes a particularly nice gift because it is not the sort of thing a lot of people would spend much money on themselves (I wouldn't) but would still really love to have (I would!). Marc by Marc Jacobs Jumbled Birds Umbrella. When I first came across this mug while researching (i.e. pretend online shopping) for this post I thought it was the absolute perfect gift for a teacher or a co-worker. It's pretty, personal, and functional - something they can keep on their desk at work for coffee breaks or to hold pens etc., and affordable (only $6). Mongrammed Mug, Missus. These little charm necklaces are so cute on their own, and if you want to bulk up the gift a bit the envelope is made to fit a gift card. Gift Card and Charm Necklace, a great way to personalize a somewhat impersonal gift card.

Hope you all enjoyed that one! xo Caitlin