This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveAmericanHome #CollectiveBias
Do you ever feel like there are things in life that everyone seems to know… except you? Does that even make sense?! Example: Jonny and I were watching an episode of Seinfeld a couple of years ago. It was the one where they were getting ready to go to a friend’s house for dinner, and they ran into all kinds of trouble finding them a hostess gift. I was utterly confused. A hostess gift? Is that a thing?
Turns out, it is. And most people know about it. How did I miss this? Am I a terrible person for showing up to people’s houses without bringing a gift?! I hope not.
Dear everyone who has ever had me over, I’m so so sorry. I hope my lack of common sense did not offend you. I assure you, that because of my new-found knowledge from Seinfeld, I will never show up to your lovely abode empty handed ever again.
Sincerely, your friend and neighbor who is sometimes bad at life.
Hopefully I’m forgiven. But if not… at least I won’t make the same mistake again. These gift baskets I put together are so simple, there’s really no excuse not to make them! And with the holidays coming up, there are plenty of opportunities to gift these out to people. I based them around the American Home™ by Yankee Candle brand of candles. The fragrances are deeelicious, and so easy to build a basket around.
For the first basket, I used the 19 oz tumbler in Apple Cinnamon Cider (for just under $15). It smells divine, and is perfect for this cooler weather! I also added some of the small tumbler candles in Sugar Coated Cinnamon and Buttercream Frosting (for under $5 a piece), because they smelled too good to pass up 🙂 I added some cute mugs, an apple, and a few packets of apple cider, and that was it! It took about 5 minutes to put together, and is a great gift that anyone can enjoy.
The second basket took a bit more work, but it was well worth it. The main candle I used was the 19 oz apothecary jar in Banana Walnut Bread. So of course I had to include some homemade banana walnut bread. What’s better than gifting your friend with the smells and tastes of fresh bread, without them actually having to bake bread? Dare I say, nothing.
The bread is super moist and yummy – just scroll down to the bottom of this post for the recipe. I included a printout of the recipe in the basket, which you can download HERE.
I tossed in some more of the small tumbler candles, this time in Ginger Pumpkin Pie and Shades of Fall.
Lastly, I included some candied walnuts, which were so easy to make! Head over to Natasha’s Kitchen for the recipe – you’ll love it!
These baskets were so fun to make, and perfect for a quick gift anyone would love. Just be warned… if you show up with one of these bad boys, you might be invited over again, and again, and again 🙂
The American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand products can be found at Walmart, in the candle/potpourri aisle. You can also find them online on the Walmart assortment page.
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
- 4 bananas, mashed
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bread pan.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together.
- Add eggs, vanilla, yogurt, and bananas. Beat until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, mix salt, flour, and baking soda until well blended.
- Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients, and stir until just combined.
- Gently fold in chopped nuts, and pour into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 70-75 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
You’re not alone! I never brought a hostess gift until someone came to my house with one, then I felt just awful You’ve got some great ideas here though! #client