By Kerrianne of Kerrianne.org

So, you’re going to a party! You’ve received an invitation, happily accepted, and are choosing just the right shoes to wear with just the right dress. Maybe it’s the type of party wherein you’re arriving with a gift for a little one, an expectant mother, or a bride-to-be.

What you might not remember in all the hustle and bustle of pre-party planning is that there is someone else to potentially gift in this equation.

Parties take planning, provisions, invitations. In short, they cost money, and time, and while your presence and shining personality is no doubt a great gift in and of itself, remembering your hostess (or host) with a thoughtful and material “thank you” is beyond classy, and lets your hostess (or host) know that you appreciate everything they’ve done to make the party a great one. (This is especially true if said party is being thrown for you.)

OK, OK, so now that we know hostess gifts are grand, what sorts of things should you be giving?

My advice: keep it simple, and keep it thoughtful. The best gifts are the ones that don’t try too hard.

Go with favorites

Grab a packet of pretty hand soap in your host/hostess’ favorite scent, a bouquet of their favorite flowers, or purchase a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or coffee shop. Bring along a bottle of the host/hostess’ favorite type of wine or, if they’re not a drinker, something else refreshment-wise you know they’ll enjoy.

If you don’t know any of their favorites, don’t be afraid to ask someone!

Style match

If you’ve been in the person’s home before, gifts to accent a certain room are always appreciated. Try a simple, visually striking vase, like this one, or this one.

Try hand-made

If you can make, paint, sew, or otherwise create a gift for your host/hostess that’s amazing and you totally win. For us less-than-crafty types there is (cue choirs of angels) Etsy, which I use as my go-to gift guide and hand-made mall, for whatever the occasion. Their Artful Entertaining and Under $20 gift guides are great places to start.

Gifts that keep on giving

Give your entertaining-savvy friends a gift centered around hosting and you will simultaneously make their day while making it easier for them to throw parties in the future. I like these Ona Pitchers or this Bamboo Caddy, both from Crate & Barrel.

What are your favorite host/hostess gifts to give? Do you have a favorite host/hostess gift that you yourself have received?