Keep Wrapping Paper and Ribbons on Hand
Think "tissue paper" and "curl ribbon"! Keep plenty of tissue paper, in a variety or colors and patterns, on hand. It is very inexpensive and makes for an easy way to wrap just a tube of lotion or a bottle of scented spray because you can "twist" the ends together and then tie with a ribbon. It is also a good idea to have at least one type of Birthday wrapping paper, as well---for those impromptu Birthday parties, or if you suddenly remember that it's your next-door neighbor's (or your boss's!) birthday.
Use inexpensive wrap such as the colored comic section of your local paper--children especially like this idea. Make gift tags with a personal touch by using a marker or crayon to draw a fun picture on small pieces of folded paper. This is great at Christmas time, trees with lights drawn on them, snowmen or little cute bunnies under the trees. Use your imagination. Make it fun!
Try to keep a variety of colors of curl ribbon on hand, as well (you know, the kind that you can "curl" by pulling it across the flat edge of a scissor blade). Any gift can be made to look very festive, especially if you use several colors of curl ribbon that compliment the color of the tissue paper, or match the color of the gift item! Put together a small gift set of lavender-scented bath items, all of which were purple-colored, and wrapped in silver tissue paper tied with purple and silver curl ribbon. It was very attractive and no one would have known that it probably cost you less than $5.
Put the gift in a basket or bag! Any gift, no matter how small (even a single votive candle in a 50-cent plain glass votive holder) can look like a million dollars---if you "present" it nicely. Put small items in a little wicker basket or a plain-colored gift bag that is stuffed with tissue paper that had been put through a shredder (you can buy really inexpensive paper shredders, some for less than $10). Remember to color-coordinate the wrapping paper and the gift item!
Be Creative! Think "Fun"!
***Hints for Small Gifts / Thank You Gifts***
Keep Gift Items on Hand if Possible
It is relatively simple to keep a few things on hand that make nice little gifts. You don't need to spend a fortune either---and here's how you do it:
Buy trial-sized items! You can find hand lotions, small bottles of spray perfume, bars of moisturizing soap, etc. Very small bottles and tubes of bath gel, body lotion, and after-bath spray all in the same scent---these make a perfect hostess gift set!
Look for 2-for, 3-for, and 4-for sales! Watch for sales and coupons, especially BOGO (Buy One, Get One) or sales that offer a one-price-for-several items. Look for anything in the "Health and Beauty" category: nail files, bathtub "puffs," fancy soaps, scented sprays, and lotions. Another idea would be looking for sales of scented candles and other small decorative or universally useful items. Walgreens, Eckerd's, and CVS drug stores are great for their sales and coupons, especially right before and after a holiday.
Shop in "dollar" stores! Bargain stores or "dollar" stores are great places to find things like small wicker baskets, votive candle holders, and really inexpensive wrapping paper, gift bags, and bows and ribbons.
Keep your eyes open! Anytime in a store like Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, or even the local grocery market, watch for sales of "things"---anything that would make a nice little "something" to wrap up as a gift.
Remember: It's Not the Gift, It's the Thought That Counts!
Giving a gift that comes from the heart---and not from the wallet---is what your hostess will appreciate the most. Take the time to select individual items, instead of buying pre-packaged "sets." It doesn't have to be anything fancy, it doesn't have to be anything expensive---all you need are a few little items, put them together with a little bit of thought, and you have a delightful hostess gift!