Hostess Gifts Under $25

Nov. 18, 2017

It’s that time of year again, when holiday get-togethers start filling up your calendar, and you find yourself asking again and again, “What can I bring?” While it’s not required that you bring a gift to your host or hostess, it is in good taste to never show up empty handed.

We’ve gathered an assortment of neat host/hostess gifts that go beyond the easy and expected bottle of wine. With an eye on local, and a nod to the unique, here are 10 ideas for small gifts you might fancy giving, or receiving, all under $25. 

Harwood Gold Pure Maple Syrup
Parsons Farm in Charlevoix is a fifth-generation family farm that’s made 100 percent pure Michigan maple syrup since the late 1800s. Gift one of Parsons’ tried-and-true golden, amber, or dark syrups to a host who’s a traditionalist — but if you’ve got a creative chef or mixologist at the party helm, go for one of the farm’s more exotic offerings: bourbon-barrel-aged maple syrup, cinnamon-quill infused maple syrup, saffron-and-apricot-infused maple syrup, coffee bean infused maple syrup, and more! From $5 to $28. Shop online at harwoodgold.com or eat and shop in their new café at 230 Bridge St. in downtown Charlevoix. 231-437-3900.

Grocer’s Daughter Darling Gift Box
Grocer’s Daughter in Empire is a small, family run business with a serious passion for chocolate. Its premium cacao is sourced from Ecuador and Venezuela; dairy, maple syrup, and honey comes from local farming families; and fruits, edible flowers, and herbs come from the family’s own garden and other local farms. The Darling Gift Box is $21 and includes a 4-piece box of truffles and honey caramels with two of their most popular chocolate bars, which are topped with all-natural, organic fruits and nuts. Choose dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a combination. Shop online at grocersdaughter.com or in their shop at 12020 S. Leelanau Hwy. (M-22), just south of Empire’s single stop light. 231-326-3030.

Glenn Wolff Towels
A piece of original artwork by renowned northern Michigan artist Glenn Wolff might seem out of reach for a host gift under $25, but Crystal Crate & Cargo in Beulah has made it possible to get your hands on one; the shop offers beautiful kitchen towels woven with original works from the artist. Made from 100 percent cotton, available in three color combinations, and only $20 each. Shop online at crystalcrate.com or in person at 262 S. Benzie Blvd. in Beulah. 231-882-5292.

Gwen Frostic Calendar and Note Cards
Northern Michigan artist Gwen Frostic overcame a childhood illness that left her with lifelong symptoms similar to cerebral palsy and became a renowned artist and custom printer. She sketched flowers, birds, trees and nature, and carved her sketches into linoleum blocks, creating stationery goods and prints that are timeless and beloved to this day. Although she passed in 2001, her legacy lives on. Get the newly-released 2018 calendar, with 12 large notes included, for only $16.50. Shop online at gwenfrostic.com or at the Gwen Frostic Prints gift shop at 5140 River Rd. in Benzonia. 231-882-5505.

Pop-Kies Popcorn
Gourmet popcorn in 55 flavors? Enough said. Pop-Kies is to Traverse City what Garrett’s is to Chicago … and it’s worth lining up for. Whatever your craving might be, you’ll find it here. Savory blends, chocolate-lover’s blends, candied blends, and of course the famous Front Street blend of caramel and cheddar mixed together. $4.50-$18.95 per bag, depending on size and flavor. Shop online at popkies.com or in their store at 147 E. Front St. 877-476-7543.

Alden Mill House Spices
Alden’s Mill House grinds and mixes its own spices and hand-packs each and every bottle. Famous for the Miracle Blend all-purpose seasoning, this is a house of carefully selected ingredients and chef-invented custom seasoning blends. The Christmas Special basket includes: Miracle Blend, Season All, Big Dave's Burger, and Steak Blend, a festive ribbon and a Christmas ornament! $15. Shop online at aldenmillhouse.com or in person, 10480 SE Torch Lake Rd. in Alden. 800-226-5481.

Farm House Candles
These artisan 100 percent soy candles made in Cedar are sure to light up your gift giving this year. Each candle is hand poured, and each scent combines natural, fresh fragrances. Think mandarin and almond, espresso and cocoa, lemongrass and verbena … and many more to choose from! An 8-ounce candle in a glass jar starts at $18. Shop online at mkt.com/farmhousecandlecompany or at local retailers, including Journey North in Harbor Springs, At Home in Sutton’s Bay, Imagine That in Glen Arbor, and more. 231-392-6017.

Handcrafted Soap Bars
Wildflower Soapworks in Elk Rapids specializes in all-natural hand-crafted soaps made with pure olive, coconut, palm oils, essential oils, and fragrances. Fresh-cut soap bars start at $6 ( or you can nab 5 bars for $25) and are available in more than 40 fragrances. Shop online at wildflowersoapworks.com or the store at 117 River St. in Elk Rapids. 231-590-8585.

Michigan Cookie Cutters
Going to a family friendly party? Anyone with children would love to have this Michigan cookie cutter set featuring the upper and lower peninsulas. Oh what fun it is to bake home-state cookies! And how many other states get two different shapes? We found this in Gaylord at Isabella’s Copper Pot for $8. Shop online at isabellas-copper-pot.myshopify.com or in person at 118 N. Otsego Ave. in Gaylord. 989-731-9700

Coffee and Beer
While a bottle of wine is a standard “what to bring” gift, go rogue with a coffee and beer pairing from Short’s Brewing and Higher Grounds Coffee Roasters. Higher Grounds’ Cup a Joe blend of roasted espresso beans is used in every facet of the brewing process for the Short’s Cup a Joe Coffee Creme Stout. The beans are available exclusively from Short’s online or in the Short’s Mart in Bellaire. The Cup a Joe Coffee Creme Stout is set to release on November 17. Pair them together for a winning gift! $25 for the set. Shop online at shortsbrewing.com and at Short’s Mart, 121 N. Bridge Street in Bellaire. 231-498-2300 x4.