We all know the feeling. You’re halfway to the party, realizing you can’t just waltz in empty-handed like it’s an episode of Friends. With a bit of planning, you can walk in looking like the thoughtful, polished guest everyone wants to invite back. During the holidays, it’s just as important to prepare for last-minute visitors as it is to come ready for parties. It could be a planned gathering or a surprise drop-in. We have ideas for all of the above to ensure you always make a great impression.
Walking into a holiday party or visiting someone’s home during the season calls for a little something thoughtful in hand. While wine is always appreciated, why not stand out with a unique gift that feels personal and festive? Here are some ideas for curated gift bundles featuring home and kitchen accessories to create a lasting impression. Bonus: you can stock up ahead of time, so you’re never caught empty-handed. You can bundle all the items in each set for one impressive gift or mix and match to create smaller, equally thoughtful gifts.
The Perfect Gift Bundles
- Cozy Evening: This is the ideal gift to bring to a small, intimate evening house party with friends or family to set a warm atmosphere and fun conversation. Start with a Zig Zag Storage Basket. Fill it with the gorgeous scented Amber & Oak Moss Candle for earthy vibes and an elegant Gold Arc Lighter. Toss in the fun Cultivating Conversations Card Deck to keep things interesting. Top it off with your own homemade maple-glazed nuts ( 1/2 cup almonds with 1 tbsp real maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt) to snack on while talking.
- Kitchen Foodie: A perfect present for your foodie guests at a holiday dinner out at a nice restaurant or for a cookie exchange or decorating party. Use the Canyon Glazed Storage as your vessel. Fill it with the beautiful Acadia Measuring Cups and these Brass Measuring Spoons. Add a homemade touch with a warm spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, and ginger (a.k.a. pumpkin pie spice with a twist) in a small tin or jar. Use the Olive Green Gingham Kitchen Dish Towel as your wrapping “paper” and tie a pretty bow around the whole thing.
- Relax and Unwind: A great relaxing gift for a host who deserves a moment of peace, perhaps a home mini-spa experience, after throwing a big gathering. Create some aromatherapy with the Laguna Room Spray. Inspire a nice warm bath with homemade lavender sea salts (1/2 cup Epsom salt with 1 tsp dried lavender in a small tin) with the promise of lathering on the luxurious All Over Whip after. Add a Silk Sleep Mask (Black) and wrap the whole thing in this Striped Terry Bath Towel. The ultimate indulgence.
- Appetizer Fun: Bring out the cheese board! A versatile option for any holiday party you are attening. This super cute Charcuterie Board Set has everything needed including serving utensils, cheese knives, and little appetizer dishes. Add these Cheese Markers to label your cheese in a fun way. Share a couple of homemade additions like cranberry chutney (1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1 tbsp real maple syrup in a small mason jar) and rosemary herb salt (2 tbsp sea salt with 1 tsp dried chopped rosemary and 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a small tin). Wrap it up in a Celeste Block Print Tea Towel with a holiday bow to finish it off.
- Warm Welcome: Perfect for an unexpected guest or neighbor who stops by. Wrap homemade banana bread slices in parchment with a ribbon. Place them in a Flower Petal Pinch Bowl, wrap with a Toffee Stripe Tea Towel, with a festive ribbon. Small, repeatable, ready, and waiting by the front door.
Final Touches
Sometimes, the wrapping is half the charm and you have ideas for each bundle. For that extra something, add a tiny addition to the ribbon or bow like a sprig of rosemary or a cinnamon stick. Or add a beautiful Dried Lavender Bundle for a natural touch. Fancy but not fussy.
Ready to Shop?
These thoughtful host and visitor gifts are available in the shop now. Check out our curated options and let us handle the details. Now go forth, be the guest everyone loves, and let’s pretend we didn’t almost forget to RSVP.
More ways to connect with Abode:
- Website: Abode by Garage Collective
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- In-Person: 1200 South Coast Highway, Suite 106, Laguna Beach! Free underground parking with validation.
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