What to give: Party Host/Hostess

My mom always taught me never to go to a party empty handed. When you are attending a holiday party you should feel honored to be a guest of your host's lovely home. You host will know you feel honored when you present them with a thoughtful gift. Try to make your gift low maintains for the host, while everyone loves a beautiful bouquet of flowers, you do not want your host searching for a vase, you can still bring flowers just place them in water for your host. Wine is also a standard gift & always appreciated but these ideas are more fun.

Christmas Crackers would make a fun gift at a laid back party, they are an English holiday tradition, you can buy them most anywhere, Target, Pottery Barn, William Sonoma...You pull the sides & there is a pop noise, inside you will find a paper crown which is a fun photo op, a fortune & a small toy.

For a gift of luxury at the swanky party you attend, you could offer a crate of Chocolate Fondues from Aux Anysetiers du Roy of Paris. The restaurant located in the near Notre-Dame was once a cabaret and dates from the 17th century. What a conversation piece! This is available at Sur la Table.

Going to a party where you would like to get to know someone better? Bring your hosts Table Topics, a compelling collection of conversation starters. Questions like ''In what era would you like to have grown up?'' Just remember to keep it light hearted, no one wants an argument at Christmas.

When you are going to have drinks with all your girlfriends at the hostess's home, you want to bring the perfect cute gift that will get you oohhs & ahhhs, these cupcake knitted sachets are perfect. When she gets dressed every morning she will think of you & smile.

Bringing a good friend an ornament is a lovely way for them to think of you year to year when they decorate their tree. I love these vintage looking blown glass birds from Smith and Hawkin. Complete with a feather tail! Or splurge on a gorgeous vintage set from The French Garden House, the ornaments come from Germany, Japan, USA or Poland, they are from the early 1930's to 1950's. Each set is completely unique.

For the new parents as hosts, what would be more beautiful than a vintage or fabulously illustrated copy of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Make sure you sign the front cover so they remember it was from you.

Enjoy your holiday parties!