Lovely Cheap and Easy Hostess Gift

For me, summer is the time of year when we are invited over for a BBQ, swim party, lunch etc….  On these occasions I like to bring a hostess gift, but I don’t want to be stressed out about what to buy and I don’t want to spend a fortune.  Today, because I really, really like y’all, I’m going to share my “go-to” hostess gift that costs less than $10.

I know I would be thrilled if someone showed up at my next get together with a beautiful floral arrangement.  It looks more expensive than $10 doesn’t it?  Here’s my two secrets.

1.  Buy unique containers at the thrift store

Whenever I head to the thrift store I am always on the lookout for containers I think would be good vessels for flowers.  I always keep price in mind and rarely pay over $2.99 for one.  If I’m going to be giving it away with flowers, it has to be pretty and within my budget.  Here are some of the things I keep in mind.

• Size-Stay on the smaller side.  The bigger container you have, the more flowers you need to make it look luxe.
• Colors-I look for a variety of colors.  Basically, anything I think is pretty.  I also look for simple white objects to be used any time of year.
• Type-Avoid buying vases (unless they are super pretty).  Look for pitchers, ginger jars (my favorite), bowls, vintage bottles, steins, compotes.

I used this sweet little ginger jar to create a centerpiece.  I love how it has so many different colors in it.  I could have gone with oranges for a more fall look.  Since it is summer and I had the great pink and white paper I used on my coffee table trey, I went with a bright pink.

2.  A flower arrangement my 14 year old could do

I use grocery store flowers.  Have you priced flowers at a florist shop?  So expensive.  I priced some for this project and when I was told the price I felt a little foolish leaving the shop with nothing in hand.  All the way through the parking lot on my way to my mini-van I kept thinking, “Man, I wish I would have put on some makeup and grabbed my Kate Spade purse”.  Why?  I guess because turning down higher than you want to pay items feels less tragic and embarrassing when you look cute.  Dumb?  Yep.

I find, with the right vessel even grocery store flowers can look like they came from the poshest flower shop.  The trick?  Don’t use a large variety.  If you are gifted in floral arranging, by all means buy several types of flowers and have at it.  For me, purchasing one type of flower to work with really makes it affordable and easy.  For this arrangement, all I had to do was cut the stems to the right length for the ginger jar, pull the leaves off the stems, and put them in the jar.  Not much arranging was needed at all.  Cut and shove them in.  Now that’s flower arranging at its simplest.

I bought my flowers for $7.50 at my local grocery store and I think I picked this ginger jar up months ago for$2.00.

I had fun setting up this little table in the backyard on our new paver patio.  I’m not going to lie though.  It was like 97 degrees out and my flowers could hardly take it for the photo shoot.  When I was done shooting this I put it all away because there is no way we are eating outside until the weather cools off again…sometime in October 🙂

I’ll be revealing the patio in the near future.  The table is actually my dining room table which I have weather proofed.  That means big changes are in the future for the dining room homework area.

I set the table with all thrift store finds.  The plates were from the thrift at $1.25 a piece.  I recently found a set of milk glass salad bowls for $8.00.  The placemats were also found at the thrift and I love the ticking trim on them.  I bought a set of six for $4.00.  The paper runner is from a roll of wrapping paper I bought at Michael’s in their dollar spot.  The flamingos are also a thrift store find I payed $2.00 a piece for.

I hope these little tips will help you on your next hostess gift.  I usually have 4-5 different vessels on my shelf ready to be used for gifts at any given time.  So go hit that thrift store!  Happy hunting!

 

Have a fantastic day!