Somewhere between the first frost and the last slice of pumpkin pie, the invitations start rolling in. Thanksgiving dinner (it's Monday, October 12 this year, in case you need the reminder), a Friendsgiving potluck, the neighbourhood open house, and before you know it, the first holiday parties of the season.
And every single time, the same question comes up at the door: what do I bring?
A bottle of wine is the easy default, but it isn't always the right one. Maybe your host doesn't drink, or is taking a break. Maybe she's already got a dozen bottles lined up on the counter. And let's be honest, a bottle of red tends to get opened and poured that night, and nobody remembers who brought it.
A good hostess gift is something she'll enjoy after everyone goes home. So we've pulled together our best-selling hostess gifts, the ones our Edmonton-area customers come back for every fall, sorted by the kind of host you're shopping for. You'll find even more in our full Hostess Gifts collection.
For the host who lives by candlelight
A beautiful candle is the classic for a reason. It's thoughtful, it's pretty on the table, and it makes her home smell like autumn for weeks.
- Prairie Creek 8oz Soy Candle with Wooden Wick ($40). New this fall, and already a staff favourite. The wooden wick crackles like a tiny fireplace, and the scents are pure October: Back Porch Bourbon, Toasted Marshmallow, Vanilla Chai and Coffee House.
- Housewives of YEG Candle by Heslip Home ($35). Merlot and cherry, hand-poured in coconut soy wax right here in Edmonton. It's the only merlot you can bring that won't stain the tablecloth, and it gets a laugh every time.
- Let's Cuddle Warm Vanilla Candle by Heslip Home ($35). Soft, warm vanilla for the host who's all about cozy nights in. Browse the whole Heslip Home collection for more Edmonton-made scents.
The perfect pairing: a Sizzle lighter
Here's our favourite hostess-gift trick: tie a lighter to the candle. The Sizzle Sleek Rechargeable Arc Lighter ($55) is one of our top-selling gifts year after year. It's flameless, windproof and charges by USB, so no more hunting through the junk drawer for matches. Choose rose gold, silver or pewter. For something a little more cabin-chic, the Sizzle LUX in Wood Grain ($55) comes in black, oak or walnut. A candle plus a Sizzle is the kind of gift that makes her say "oh, you shouldn't have" and mean it.
For the host who's nervous about open flames (hello, new puppy), the Mercury Glass Candle Warmer in Gold ($70) melts the candle from the top down, so she gets all the fragrance with no flame and no soot.
For the host with a sweet tooth
Edible gifts are always a hit, and they're the easiest swap for a bottle of wine. Our Salted. caramels are handcrafted in Alberta and, quite frankly, a little addictive.
- Salted. Crisp & Cozy 4-Piece Box ($20). A limited-edition autumn flavour that tastes like a perfect October afternoon. Made for Thanksgiving.
- Salted. Thank You Box ($22). Six Classic Sea Salt caramels in an embossed "Thank You" box. The message is built right in, so it's ideal for last-minute gifting.
- Salted. Let's Celebrate Collection ($22). An ivory and gold foil box for early holiday parties, milestone birthdays and anything worth toasting.
Treats have a way of disappearing from our shelves once the holidays near, so shop the full gourmet snacks and caramels collection early.
For the host who cooked the whole turkey
She brined, she basted, she washed every last dish. She deserves a little pampering once the house is quiet again.
- Barefoot Venus Mustard Bath 480g Tin ($29.99). A Canadian cult favourite for a reason. It's a warm, deeply relaxing soak that's just what tired feet need after a day in the kitchen. Want something smaller? Tuck the 90g mini ($9.99) into a card.
- Walton Wood Farm Hand Rescue Moisturizer ($19.99). For hands that have been through a dozen rounds of dishwater and a prairie October. The scent names alone ("Week From Hell," "'Me' Time") make it a fun one to give.
- Snoozies Slipper Socks ($24.99). For the host who makes everyone take their shoes off at the door (so, every Canadian host). They're soft and warm, and the non-slip soles are made for hardwood floors.
For the host whose home smells like dinner (in the best way)
Roast turkey, stuffing and a houseful of guests smell wonderful at 6 p.m. By the next morning, maybe not so much. If your host already owns a Lampe Berger, a refill is one of the most useful gifts you can bring.
- Maison Berger Air Pur So Neutral Refill, 1L ($55). This one eliminates lingering odours instead of just covering them up. Leftover turkey smell, meet your match.
- Heavenly Spruce or Festive Fir Refills ($35). For early holiday parties, these seasonal scents bring tangerine, cinnamon, clove and fresh-cut fir to the room. It's Christmas morning in a bottle.
For the host you really, really love
Your sister who hosts every single year. Your mother-in-law. The best friend who always has a spare room ready. For her, go big.
Our Cozy Cabin Blanket in Ivory ($149.99) is an oversized, plush 75" × 52" throw that looks gorgeous draped over the back of the couch, and it's machine washable (yes, even after the gravy incident). Prefer a softer colour? The Lavender Cozy Cabin Blanket is just as dreamy. It's the gift she'll wrap herself in on every cold night from now until spring.
Pair it with a candle and a Sizzle lighter, and you've got the ultimate "thank you for having us" bundle.
Hostess gifts by budget
- Under $25: Salted. Crisp & Cozy, Salted. Thank You Box, Hand Rescue, Snoozies, Mustard Bath Mini
- $25 to $60: Prairie Creek Candle, Heslip Home candles, Sizzle lighters, Mustard Bath Tin, Maison Berger refills
- The splurge: Cozy Cabin Blanket, Mercury Glass Candle Warmer, or a candle, lighter and caramel bundle
A few hostess gift etiquette tips
- Bring something that doesn't need her attention. Skip the flowers that need a vase and trimming while she's carving the turkey. A wrapped candle or a box of caramels can be set aside and enjoyed later.
- Don't expect it to be served. A hostess gift is for her, not for the party. That's one more reason a non-wine gift works so well.
- Add a little note. Two lines of "thank you for having us" makes any gift feel twice as thoughtful.
- Shop early for the holiday season. Our seasonal candles and limited-edition caramels sell out fast once the party invitations start arriving.
Whether you're heading to Thanksgiving dinner across town or an early holiday soirée, we'd love to help you find the perfect thank-you. Shop the full Hostess Gifts collection online (we ship across Canada and worldwide), or pop into one of our three Edmonton-area boutiques and let our team help you put together something special.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy hosting, from all of us at Cloud Nine Pajamas.
