Holiday entertaining: Tips from the pros

4 hit gifts for the host
During party season, don't forget about a little gift for the host or hostess. We asked a few design elves for new ideas.

"A hostess gift should always be something useful. The worst presents are the ones that get tossed into the landfill site. Rose petal soaps, and kindling and matches are all fun and inexpensive items your friends will use throughout the season."
—Shawn Gibson, designer, co-owner, Teatro Verde, Toronto

"Our No. 1 hostess gift for the holidays is a package of butter crunch. It's wrapped in lovely hot pink and green paper, which is our take on Christmas this year, but the wrapping won't be on for long."
—Juditha Sakinofsky, owner, Spotted Zebra, Toronto

"Our top recommendation is a Voluspa candle. We carry dozens of candles in a variety of scents; some burn for up to 85 hours. And they're especially appropriate when you don't know the taste or decorating style of your host or hostess."
—Darci Ilich and Stephanie Vogler, co-owners, The Cross, Vancouver

"I always think food gifts are the best to give. We carry bread dips from Wildly Delicious Fine Foods. They come in a variety of flavours—for example, Roasted Garlic & Parmesan, and Herbed Balsamic. Or if your hosts have a sweet tooth, a Saxon Chocolates fondue set is a treat, and probably something they'd never indulge in for themselves."
—Kathryn Dunlop, manager, J.D. Adam, Ottawa

Read more in Food & Entertaining and Party Planner