“Best” Hostess Gifts

Our Best Hostess Gifts

Don’t get caught empty handed this season.  Here’s a few gems to keep on hand for those last minute holiday parties.

• We love the handmade soaps ($6.50 bar) with holiday inspired scents such as brown sugar, peppermint and pine, candy cane, and frankincense and myrrh from The Little Soap Maker, 302 W. Yakima Ave, Suite 103 or order online at www.thelittlesoapmaker.com.

• Give your favorite hostess a much needed pick-me-up!  Lincoln Avenue Espresso custom roasts and packages their own beans ($8.50 lb.) in seasonal flavors such as Harvest Blend as well as old favorites like French Roast and their House Blend.  www.lincolnespresso.com

• Skip the flowers this year and gift with functional flora.  Potted culinary herbs wrapped in a cheery kitchen towel or cloth napkin secured with raffia makes for an edible centerpiece that smells as good as it looks.

• Crusted french bread and a bottle of flavor infused olive oil or dipping sauce makes a perfect pair for a dinner party gift.  Try the inspired flavors of Raspberry Champagne and Cabernet Sauvignon Vinegars ($8.00) from Severino Winery www.severinocellars.com Call 509-829-3800 for more information.

• For a gift with a personal touch, burn a CD with your favorite holiday tunes.  Have the kids design the protector case with a colorful seasonal scene or add a family photo from your holiday letter.  Stuck for ideas?  Try these staff favorites:

1. Baby It’s Cold Outside, Dean Martin
2. Santa Baby, Madonna or Eartha Kitt
3. Christmas (Please come home) U2
4. Peace, Norah Jones
5. The Christmas Waltz, Frank Sinatra
6. Wonderful Christmas Time, Paul McCartney
7. O Holy Night, Martina McBride
8. The Channakuh Song, Adam Sandler
9. All I Want For Christmas, Mariah Carey
10. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) Nat King Cole
11. Merry Christmas (I don’t want to fight tonight) Ramones
12. Christmas Song, Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds
13. Please come home for Christmas, Eagles
14. Grandma got ran over by a reindeer, Elmo and Patsy
15. Blue Christmas, Elvis Presley