Cover Story

Tasteful gifts for the hostess

By Elizabeth Davies

ROCKFORD WOMAN

Apr 25, 2008 @ 12:01 AM

Arrive at your next dinner party bearing a hostess gift that’s a step above the standard bouquet of flowers or bottle of wine. The Rock River Valley has enough cool options that you’ll never have to resort to something so impersonal again.

Food-covered serving bowls
Designed to appear as if there’s actually food inside, these serving bowls are far more funky than your standard fare. They come with pictures of popcorn, Doritos, salad, olives or fresh fruit. Pick one up at the Rockford Art Museum Gift Shop, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. It’s $8 for a small bowl or $20 for a large one.

Personalized napkins
At La Di Da, 1416 N. Main St. in Rockford, you can also pick up paper napkins or guest towels with your hostess’ initials on them. The collection has a retro look and comes in a cream-and-black design. Buy a 20-count of cocktail napkins for $3.50 or cream-and-black-striped paper guest towels for $6.

Sassy notepads
La Di Da also carries a selection of Mudpie-brand notepads. For $10, get a collection of brown and pink notes in a ribbon-topped holder. Each notepad has a quirky saying: “Stop me before I volunteer again,” “When life hands you lemons, stuff them in your bra” and “You’ll always be my best friend — you know too much.”