If your hostess gift is in a gift bag, consider a short note or at the very least a gift tag. If the gifts aren’t opened until after the event, your host won’t have any idea who to thank for the thoughtful gift.

Specialty candy / chocolates: a special little treat for the hostess to enjoy after the party.

Breakfast: your host will appreciate a fresh loaf of breakfast bread or muffins to enjoy the morning after the event.

Candle or room diffuser: unless you know specifically what kind of scent your host likes, select a mild scent.

Flowers: almost everyone loves flowers, but the last thing a hostess wants to do is leave her guests to find a vase and arrange flowers. Consider a seasonal flowering plant: jasmine, poinsettia, azalea, etc. Or consider sending flowers the following day with a thank you note.

Alcohol: bring something your host enjoys (wine, bourbon, scotch, Baileys.) It doesn’t count as a hostess gift, if it’s something you want to drink during the party.

Pet treats: consider bringing the family pet a container of healthy treats or a new toy.

Thank you note. It doesn’t have to be a hand-written note (although a handwritten thank you note truly warms my heart and is usually on my bulletin board for weeks, if not months, like the card at left), but make sure to send a text or e-mail message to your host within 24 hours of the event.