Tis’ the season for festive gatherings, which means you’ll be spending many evenings as someone’s guest. Everyone tires of bringing the same tried and true host gifts. Every host by the end of the night has been gifted at least three bottles of wine, an assortment of chocolates and a poinsettia. So make your gift stand out from the crowd by pushing past the norm to the especially thoughtful. 
      Being extra thoughtful doesn’t have to mean extra cost and time. Heading to a pitch-in or family dinner? Consider bringing your dish in an adorable casserole dish from Southport Antique Mall and leaving the serving piece as a host gift. Finding a casserole dish that matches your host’s kitchen is a lovely personal touch. Alternatively bringing a holiday-themed serving piece is nice for a host who always entertains during the holidays. If your attending a family gathering at a first time hosts’ house consider bringing a hint of the past with you by getting nostalgic and finding a serving dish just like Grandma used to use. 
      If your not bringing a hot dish but baking instead put all of your sweet treats in a cookie jar. Cookie jars make great non-traditional host gifts. Another outside the box idea involves an old tradition. Giving the gift of salt, traditionally, brings good luck to a household and blesses the home assuring that all who live there never know hunger. Put a modern twist on this old world tradition by gifting your hosts’ salt and pepper shakers. 
       Even if you decide to go with a more traditional host gift, making small tweaks can allow them to stand out among the rest. Gifting alcohol? Pair it with a fun cocktail shaker or an elegant decanter. Bringing fresh flowers? Gift a vase too, not only does this make your gift lasting but it also prevents the host from having to look for a vase. Remember no matter what you settle on Southport Antique Mall can help you be the perfect guest this Holiday season. Stop by and be sure to let us know what you’re looking for, we’d love to help you find it.