Last year I was given gifts by two different people at Christmas. They were what I call misc. hostess type gifts. One gift was a can of spray for the house. The other gift was a hand towel with embroidery and some matching hand soaps. They were things like you'd see at Claire Burke.

I have access to Dollar Tree. What should I get that is a hostess gift ? Do I buy something that is already put together or do I assemble it myself ?

I don't want to get caught short this year but at the same time I want to stretch my $$$. My local gourmet shop is expensive.

The reason I'm asking is that in the past Mom kept gift sets from Whitley Peanuts as gifts. That still sounds nice, but-----forgive me for sounding like a real tightwad-----the gift sets are close to $30.00 each nowadays. Sorry, but I don't spend that much on presents for people who aren't Mom. I'm not a tightwad; I'm just trying to stretch my budget in today's economy plus I don't want to embarrass anyone by spending more money than they do.

Thanks a bunch !

what  about nice candles or soap sets?  I try to get things like that for teachers or hostess gifts.   that way if they don't what them they can regift them.    Partylite mini barrel candles are very nice with lots of scents and last a long time.   that is what the teachers are getting this year.  

I have to think about what to get because I get repeat teachers so can't give them the same thing as before.

Or something I got from dh school xmas fair was cookie mix in a mason jar that was decorated fancy with ribbon and fake leaves etc. the decorations really made the jars special.  the gingerbread one had a cookie cutter attached. I think it was 3 for $15 or 20 dollars.  worth it.   that was the teachers xmas gift. 

dd teacher really liked it and the fact it would look nice displayed in the kitchen.

the nice thing about soap, candles etc instead of food is they don't go bad so you can keep them for other times.

I was thinking of soap sets. Thanks.

I personally would not have purchased the spray that smells like Evergreen trees which was one of the things I was given last year. It was a nice thought, though.

Can't go wrong with nice, cotton dish towel set. Place in a festive paper bag, add extras if desired such as BBB kitchen soap, nylon scrubbies, wooden spoons, a Penzey's spice. Should be able to keep it under $10 out the door.

Thanks.

I make up gifts , jar or bag and keep them on hand for the hostess gifts .  I usually make up at least 6 of each kind so I am one or two out of set are fine .

Don't be put off by this answer, but do you ever browse in Cracker Barrel's gift shop? You might be surprised and find good gifts.

-thyme2save

Actually, I have noticed the gift and candy area at Cracker Barrel a lot back when Mom and I traveled a lot. I like their food, but I don't like having to wait a long time to be seated. The Williamsburg Cracker Barrel used to be very crowded during Tourist Season.

I'll check out the gifts again at the one in Newport News which is across the street from the mall.

Thanks.

My frugal acquaintance who made a fruit jar full of peanut butter and/or chocolate fudge was always my favorite "hostess" giver.  Someone else mentioned fruit cocktail cake, which freezes well, or good ol' banana or pumpkin cake.  Or those luscious pumpkin cookies!

If these people are into electronics, dealextreme.com has lots of good cheap stuff--phone cases etc.

VMW - Go to the Wythe Will Candy Outlet right there in Williamsburg...If memory serves me correctly, it's just east of the Pottery on the opposite side of the road. They usually have some really nice candy gifts that are relatively unexpensive.  I always pick up a few things there to have on hand when I make my annual Christmas shopping trip to the outlets.