Thinking thematically can make expressing that grateful sentiment a bit easier. Consider your host and hostess, and then hunt for items with a focus — graphic, decadent, natural, or tranquil, for instance. Then present your gift-wrapped token along with your personal contribution of what every house party needs: lively conversation.
graphic
| 1
Marimekko Tasaraita mug, $20, at Crate & Barrel, Somerset Collection South, Troy; 248-643-6610, crateandbarrel.com.
2 |
Jonathon Adler pig butter dish, $68, jonathonadler.com.
| 3
Cats, Dogs, Men, Women, Ninnies & Clowns: The Lost Art of William Steig ($45, Abrams), at area booksellers and amazon.com.
4 |
Surprise ball thermos, $35, from Kate Spade, Somerset Collection South, Troy; 248-458-2023, katespade.com.
| 5
Arrow wall sign, $27, from Scout, Royal Oak; 248-548-1065.
6 |
Ship tea towel, $20, at City Bird, Detroit; 313-831-9146, ilovecitybird.com.
| 7
Alessi La Stanza Dello Scirocco citrus basket in stainless steel, $240, from ArtLoft, Birmingham; 248-647-4007, artloftonline.com.
8 |
Small Kaiser Suidan gunmetal jack, $125, at Michael Coyne Design, Michigan Design Center, Troy; 248-649-6540, michaelcoynedesign.com.
decadent
| 1
Silver bowl, $30, Italian Dish, Birmingham; 248-593-8299 theitaliandish.com.
2 |
Pineapple cardamom macarons, $13/dozen, from Cup.Cake, Royal Oak; 248-850-7207.
| 3
Louis Vuitton Architecture and Interiors, $130, at Louis Vuitton, Somerset Collection South, Troy; 248-643-4606, louisvuitton.com.
4 |
Alessi chrome juicer, $45, at ArtLoft, Birmingham; 248-647-4007, artloftonline.com.
| 5
Jonathan Adler Futura salt-and-pepper shakers, $48, at Shine, Royal Oak; 248-414-5247, shopshine.net.
6 |
Slabtown coffee caramel corn in burlap, $10/10 ounces, at area Westborn Markets; westbornmarket.com.
| 7
R.H. Coutier rosé champagne, $49.97, available at area Plum Market stores; plummarket.com.
8 |
Fair trade Divine white chocolate with strawberries, $4, at area Plum Market stores; plummarket.com.
| 9
Jingle Bell serving set, $28, at area Anthropologie stores; anthropologie.com.
natural
| 1
Hitherto insect lab cloches, $375-$1,298, at area Anthropologie stores; anthropologie.com.
2 |
Botanicals: Butterflies & Insects (Assouline, $65), by E.A. Seguy, through area booksellers or amazon.com.
| 3
Handmade terrarium, $75, from The Moss Lady, Ann Arbor; Etsy.com/shop/MissMossy.
4 |
Reindeer place cards kit, $12.50/12, from Paper Source, Birmingham; 248-594-4954, paper-source.com.
| 5
Apple cutting board, $17.50, at Write Impressions, Royal Oak; 248-541-8921, writeimpressions-mi.com.
6 |
Felted mushroom ornament, $7.75-$17, Detroit Garden Works, Sylvan Lake; 248-335-8089, detroitgardenworks.com.
| 7
Rifle Paper Co. hanging garden recipe cards, $12/dozen; Riflepaperco.com.
8 |
Rosy rings forest potpourri, $18, The Italian Dish, Birmingham; 248-593-8299, theitaliandish.com.
| 9
Fruits & Passion scented sidewalk de-icer salt, $20, at Blossoms, Birmingham; 248-644-4411, blossomsbirmingham.com.
tranquil
| 1
Savannah Bee Company raw honey, $22, from Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Hills; 248-646-6700, leesspecialty.com.
2 |
Lafco Master Bedroom chamomile candle, $55, at Stacey Leuliette Gracious Living, Birmingham; 248-593-9180.
| 3
Ship soaps, $25/set of five, at Woodward & Maple, Birmingham; 248-258-2848.
4 |
Buddha butter dish, $20.50, from Write Impressions, Royal Oak; 248-541-8921, writeimpressions-mi.com.
| 5
Lake Michigan hand-embroidered hoop, $18 ($81/set of five Great Lakes), sold at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair or mymarigold.com.
6 |
Cashmere hot-water bottle cozy, $98; jonathanadler.com.
| 7
Twinings Gunpowder green tea, $4.99, at area Plum Market stores; plummarket.com.
8 |
Bendel candle snuffer, $48, at Henri Bendel, Somerset Collection North, Troy; 248-816-2021, henribendel.com.
| 9
Antique Chinese rice bowls, $23 each, from Michael Coyne Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy; 248-649-6540, michaelcoynedesign.com.
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