Recent Posts
Easy DIY Holiday Hostess Gift with Wine and Cheese
The holiday entertaining season is in full swing! This is my very favorite part of the holidays, as you probably could have guessed. I am usually sharing my tips and tricks for entertaining with grace and style. But everyone knows that grace and style cannot go out the window just because you are not the one hosting. When invited to a get-together, especially in one's home, it is important to bring a small token of your appreciation for your host or hostess. Here is my favorite host gift idea, just in time for the height of your seasonal social calendar.
A Modern Update to the Traditional Gift Basket
The traditional gift basket gets a fresh update by choosing a cute reusable tote to fill with goodies. Your host will appreciate the usefulness of this bag because unlike a basket, they will be able to reuse it regardless of whether it fits in with their home decor.
What You Will Need
Here is your shopping list for a thoughtful and delicious presentation.
- A Reusable Tote Bag: Look for a sturdy canvas or fabric bag with a cute pattern or a neutral tone that fits any style.
- One Bottle of La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris: This wine is a crowd pleaser and pairs beautifully with the savory snacks in the bag.
- A Fresh Baguette: Pick one up from your favorite local bakery on the day of the party so it stays perfectly crusty.
- Fruit Infused Cheese: A cranberry infused white cheddar or a creamy goat cheese with fruit is ideal for the holidays.
- A Small Bag of Walnuts: Toasted or raw walnuts add the perfect earthy crunch to the toasted bread.
- A Jar of Local Honey: If you can find it, look for a variety specifically labeled for cheese pairings.
- Blank Gift Tags and Ribbon: Use a high quality cardstock for your instructions and a festive satin ribbon to tie it all together.
- Fresh Magnolia Leaves: These add a beautiful, organic touch to the handle and can be repurposed for a platter display.
Instructions for a Perfect Post-Party Snack
On a pre-made blank gift tag, write out the following instructions to make it easy for your host to enjoy their treat.
- Slice baguette in half lengthwise
- Sprinkle with crumbled cheese
- Toast under broiler for less than three minutes
- Top with nuts and a drizzle of honey
- Enjoy!
The tart cranberries in this cheese provide an excellent balance to the sweetness of the honey, but you can use any cheese that will crumble nicely. If you cannot find cheese that has fruit right inside, consider adding some dried cranberries to the bag of nuts instead. Every oven is different and mine runs hot, so I only left the baguette under the broiler for about a minute and forty-five seconds. Just keep an eye on it. You want the cheese to be slightly bubbly and melted, but you do not want the edges of your bread to burn.
Finishing Touches and Decorative Details
I added some magnolia leaves to the bag handle, along with the instructional tag. I tied both with a festive red satin ribbon. Your host can even repurpose the magnolia leaves to create a beautiful display on a cutting board or serving platter. Simply layer the leaves, alternating between brown and green sides, and sprinkle with fresh cranberries.
For the honey, local varieties have wonderful health benefits as well as being delicious. However, if you cannot find any local honey, any pretty jar will do. I was able to find a honey that is made by the Savannah Bee Company which is specifically recommended to pair with cheeses. This hostess gift hits all the right notes. Your host can choose to pop open the bottle of wine and slip the baguette in the oven right away or save it for the next day when they need a treat after the stresses of throwing a party are behind them.
More Inspiration for the Perfect Wine Gift
If you are looking for even more ways to spoil the wine lovers in your life, we have you covered. While this tote is a fantastic DIY option, sometimes you want a curated guide to help you find that one special item. Whether you are shopping for a milestone birthday or just want to send a little extra love, check out our dedicated gift guides.
Our Wine Gifts for Him guide features everything from high tech wine preservation systems to personalized leather bottle carriers. It is the perfect place to find a gift for the guy who appreciates a bold Cabernet or a sleek new bar accessory.
For the women in your life, our Wine Gifts for Her list includes elegant glass decanters, cozy wine scented spa kits, and chic scalloped cheese boards. These guides take the guesswork out of gifting so you can spend more time enjoying the celebration and less time stressing over the shopping.
Celebrate the Holidays with La Crema
The holidays are a time for connection, and nothing brings people together quite like a thoughtfully chosen bottle of wine. Whether you are pouring a glass of our vibrant Sonoma Coast Chardonnay to start the evening or opening a bottle of one of our elegant Pinot Noirs for the main course, La Crema wines are crafted to elevate every holiday dinner. Their bright acidity and balanced profiles make them incredibly versatile on the table, allowing them to pair beautifully with everything from a roasted turkey to the savory cranberry cheese in your hostess tote.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by your seasonal social calendar, you can easily take the guesswork out of gifting with our curated selection of wine gifts and gift boxes. Each box is designed to impress, ensuring that your friends, family, or party hosts receive a gift that feels both luxurious and personal. It is the simplest way to share a bit of California wine country magic with the people you love most.
