Warm Hearts with Our Hostess Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and gift giving is in the air! While the holiday season is full of laughter and cheer, it can also be a stressful time when it comes to gifts. When attending a myriad of gatherings and parties, it’s always a nice gesture to bring something to show your appreciation to the host. Big or small, putting thought into what you give is the most important thing.

Of course, any sort of gift is nice, but one that supports a local business with items unique to your area is even better! We all know that the holiday parties begin around Thanksgiving and keep rolling through New Years. Deciding what to get someone can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to hostess gifts. These are just some examples of some of the great local products in our area–shop local for yourself and see what you can find!

COZY CANDLES

Holiday parties keep going right through Christmas when gift giving really kicks into full gear! Christmas time is all about keeping warm and feeling cozy vibes. Candles and florals do just that.

Candles always make for a lovely gift, especially ones that are unique to your hometown! Show your hostess locally hand-poured love with soy wax candles, made by Rochester’s Light My Candle, Co. and available at Rochester Brainery. Want to add a little extra love? Sign up for a Light My Candle, Co. class at the Brainery and pour it yourself!

Floral centerpieces and décor, like those from Stacy K Floral in Rochester, add a living splash of color and interest to any occasion. Grab some Roc City Merch while you’re there to beautifully accent your gift. Like food and wine, candles and florals can be enjoyed right away by everyone present.

LOCAL WINE

Bringing a bottle of wine is a really great option because it’s something that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is located on Keuka Lake and has some beautiful tasting wines that would make for the perfect Thanksgiving hostess gift. While you can find these wines at stores in the area, why not make it more fun for yourself and visit the winery? Take a little day trip for some tastings and tell your host or hostess all about why you chose the bottle that you brought them! After all, the holidays are about making memories and sharing stories with the ones you love.

Want to get extra creative with it? Try mulling your own wine. Snag some spices and a mulling ball, and you’ve got yourself a gift that shows how much time and thought you put into it.

SWEET & SAVORY DELIGHTS

It’s never a bad idea to bring something that the host can put out for guests to eat. Charcuterie boards will be in full effect during the holidays, so bring something that can be easily added to it or even used for your host’s next party.

Consider putting together your own custom charcuterie board. If you’re in the Webster area, stop by locally owned Hegedorn’s Market. Packed with a gigantic assortment of artisanal cheeses, meats, fresh baked bread, and more, Hegedorn’s has what you need to create a gift that’s both delicious and local.

Looking for a ready-made board? There are plenty of local options! Check out Rochester’s Cheese and Charcuterie on East Ridge Road. As you peruse the boards and boxes, don’t forget to take a peak at its incredible “Grazing Tables” as well!

Does your hostess have a sweet tooth? Pick up a little something rich and sweet from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates in Rochester. Popular throughout the region, Hedonist Chocolate Almond Bark is also available for purchase at Janis Reed Interiors which caters to exceptional tastes of the home and the palette!

Feeling ambitious? Throw together an entire gift basket, complete with something savory, something sweet, a bag of Flour City Pasta, one of the wonderfully flavorful Guglielmo’s sauces handcrafted in Rochester, and top it off with a copy of A Seat at the Table 2 filled with recipes from 20 local chefs and bartenders.