Friendship domed soap box with 5 ounces of botanic-scent moisturizing soap, $18 at Dalton Pratt, 1742 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202-333-3256, daltonprattdc.com.
This glycerine soap memorializes that carnival favorite the goldfish in a plastic bag, a sweet little extra gift, perhaps for your little one to present to your host. P.S. The soap has the shape of bag, not just the goldfish. Each is $8.95 at Periwinkle, 3815 Livingston Street NW, 202-364-3076.
Yes, there are still bottles that require bottle openers. But this fishy painted cast-iron one is cute just lying around. It’s $14 at American Holiday, 1319 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202-684-2790, and 300 South Talbot Street, St. Michaels, Maryland, 410-690-3150, and www.iloveah.com.
Headed for a cabin in the woods instead of the beach? Not a problem with this wall-mounted (or hand-held) cast-iron bear bottle opener. It’s $18 at American Holiday, 1319 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202-684-2790, and 300 South Talbot Street, St. Michaels, Maryland, 410-690-3150, and www.iloveah.com.
Hung straight down or swagged, this twine-and-wood starfish garland says seaside in the way only a truly grateful weekend guest can. It’s 46 inches long and $26 at American Holiday, 1319 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202-684-2790, and 300 South Talbot Street, St. Michaels, Maryland, 410-690-3150, and www.iloveah.com.
Fun non-skid floor mat for a beach house (try to find out the color of your friends’ kitchen). This Scout mat (2 feet by 3 feet) is made–in America, no less–of woven poly. Several patterns available. $48 at Periwinkle, 3815 Livingston Street NW, 202-364-3076.
Tea towels by Le Jacquard Francais are a hit with just about everyone. There’s a wonderful selection, about $25, at Sur La Table stores, many area locations. Our friend Stephen Bennett tells us he buys tea towels as gifts whenever he travels–local ones are fun, and they’re a cinch to pack.
It’s nice to lavish a bit of Williams-Sonoma’s Essential Oils Collection of dish soap, hand soap and hand cream on your host and hostess. The various products and their dispensers are available for kitchen and bath and come in such scents as Pink Grapefruit, Meyer Lemon, French Lavender, Fleur de Sel–you get the idea. Sets run from around $20 to $58, at Williams-Sonoma stores, area locations.
All hosts and hostesses can use spreaders for cheese, butter, even peanut butter. And gift sets don’t have to have silly Santa faces on them. These, from the fabled French knife town Laguiole (pronounced (ly-OLE), come in a boxed set of four for $44 at Le Village Marche, Village of Shirlington, 2800 South Randolph Street (entrance on Campbell Avenue), Arlington, 703-379-4444, www.levillagemarche.com.
Yes, lots of people, especially those who entertain, already have Sodastream machines to make club soda and other carbonated beverages. But do they have one at the beach? We’re guessing they wouldn’t reject such as fabulous gift from their fabulous weekend guest. Left to right, the Source model is $99.99, the Fizz regularly $129.99, the Genesis $99.99. They’re all available at Rodman’s, and the Fizz model is on sale for $79.99 through August. Rodman’s, 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
202-363-3466; 4301 Randolph Road (at Viers Mill), Wheaton, Md., 301-946-3100; and White Flint Plaza,
5148 Nicholson Lane,
Kensington, Md., 301-881-6253.
Okay, if you’re going to be a house guest for a week, and if it’s in the Hamptons or the South of France, it’s time for the big guns. Try this: Ruffoni’s Opus Prima Hammered Stainless-Steel Braiser, with a silver-plated knob. The 5-quart braiser is $400, the 7-quart braiser $500. The braiser is also available in tin-lined hammered copper (6-quart, $400). At Williams-Sonoma stores.
I liked the “Host Gifts” ideas and knew I would never remember them, so, I tried a search from another story, and was glad to come right back. Now, when I have to go to a summer get away, I know where to get gift ideas. Thanks