Holiday Gift Picks: Don't Arrive Empty-Handed

Hostess gifts can be tricky this time of year, since so much depends on the type of gathering (and the personality of your hosts). To help you out, here are some of my top picks. Many are new finds, while others are tried-and-true favorites, but all are under $50 (I don't know about you, but I'm still watching my budget carefully this holiday season):

Family Notes notepad ($24) by Name Your Design. I love this crisp, modern take on the family notepad, including the cool orange and gray colors. Personalization is included.


Lilly Pulitzer Cocktail Set ($45) at Garnet Hill. If you've got preppy friends, this is the gift for them.


"Keep Calm and Carry On" Jute Tote ($15) at Wisteria. Any hostess will appreciate the sentiment, and the tote is about as practical a gift as you can give.


Double Fishnet Wine Tote by Built NY ($22) at Cambria Cove. This wine tote is made of neoprene and insulates two bottles for up to four hours (make sure you include them!)

Snowman Building Kit and Box ($11.99) from Bronners. A fun hostess gift for a family, this wooden box includes everything a snowman needs- felt hat, mitten and scarf; carrot-shaped nose, and wooden eyes, buttons and mouth.


Monogrammed Cocktail Napkins ($20) at Wisteria. This is another classic gift that never goes wrong. A great value, too.


8 Big Witch Sampler Tin ($37) from Fat Witch Brownies. A delicious NYC gift I discovered years ago (and which Oprah subsequently added to her Favorite Things), preservative-free Fat Witch Brownies are simply amazing. This sampler includes some of the best ones- walnut, caramel, red, and java. Ships to all 50 states.


Got a favorite go-to hostess gift for the holidays? Share it with us in the comments.

Psst! Want more holiday gifts picks? We've got 'em! Visit these links:
2010 Guys' Gift Picks
2010 Teacher Gift Picks
2010 Toy Gift Picks
ALL of our holiday gifts picks (just keep scrolling down!)
ALL of our favorite all-time gift picks (yep, keep scrolling)