Gift Guide: For the BBQ Hosts

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What’s Canada Day without a BBQ? For many Canadians, wearing red and white and having a BBQ with friends and family is the best way to celebrate Canada’s birthday. If you’re heading out to a friend’s place, you may be interested in reviewing Daniela‘s gift guide today. She’s curated a great selection of gifts – at various price points as per usual – for this weekend’s BBQ or any other summer event you’re attending.

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With our first long weekend upon us and children out of school, invites for summer BBQs will be pouring in. For your next invite, I’ve put together a list of some fun gifts to bring to the host.

Dish towels! Or as Williams Sonoma calls them – flour sack towels. Sure, you can get these at a lot of retailers, but I especially love the Williams Sonoma towels as they are extremely large and can withstand the test of time and lots of washes.

flour sack towels, $19.16 USD (on sale), Williams Sonoma

If you are invited to a bbq where the host has children, add this super fun stencil set (or another craft) for their little ones. It will make for a great summer activity on a rainy day, and the parents will love them too!

tea towel stencil kit, $26 USD, Yellow Owl Workshop

Going to a pool party? For the past few summers, I have brought the host one of these pool toys. They are the perfect gift for all ages and make for a great prop in photos. I personally love using these so my hair doesn’t get wet. 🙂

swan floatie, $9.99 (on sale), The Bay

unicorn floatie, $9.99 (on sale), The Bay

Did you know you can use your BBQ for a lot more than grilling hamburgers and veggies? Why not make pizza (my food of choice) on your grill? I love this as a hostess gift especially for someone who uses their BBQ all summer long.

grill stone, $48.49 CAD, The Well

Summer BBQ invites are all about fun in a casual dining atmosphere, so this next hostess gift idea is more a gift for all in attendance. Fill this piñata up with candy and bring it as an addition to the “dessert table.” It will prove tons of fun for all ages.

mini unicorn piñata, $5.60 (on sale), Chapters Indigo

And on the subject of candy grab a bag of these delicious squish candies for the host to enjoy the day after the party.

thank you mix candies, $14 CAD, Squish Candies

Finally, who doesn’t love an ice cream in the summer? Spoil the host with this great set, so they can enjoy their summer ice cream in style.

Kate Spade ice cream set, $46 CAD, Chapters Indigo

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy all your summer gatherings with friends and family!

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How lucky are we that Daniela is such a great gift giver? Each guide seems better than the last! I absolutely love the idea of a piñata…what a fun thing for adults and kids!

Gift Guide: For the Host and Hostess

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I’m so grateful that Daniela has taken time out of her very busy schedule to share four amazing gift guides on White Cabana. Her earlier guides, in case you missed them, focused on babies and toddlers, tweens and teens, her and him.  In this last guide, she’s sharing more original ideas for the host. Or, as she told me, thoughtful “just because” gifts. And, yup, that’s Daniela…always thinking of others!

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Are you always stuck for what to bring to that dinner party or holiday drop-in? Or maybe you’re stuck on ideas for a small token for a teacher, coworker, or friend? This list is made up of affordable (under $30, with the exception of one!) items that cater to all types of people, but it is especially geared towards those drop-in visits and dinner parties we attend more frequently this holiday season.

Candles. Who doesn’t love a nice smelling candle? This one comes wrapped so nicely, so it’s ready for gift giving!

candle, $14 CAD (on sale), Chapters Indigo

Ornaments are great for those of us who celebrate the holidays with a tree. An ornament is a thoughtful gift your recipients will remember you by year after year. These ones are monogrammed with an initial and can be given by first or last name.

monogram ornament, $6 CAD (on sale), Chapters Indigo

The pineapple trend is still hot, and people are incorporating pineapples in home dĂ©cor and accent pieces. This pineapple jar can be used for anything “dry,” or it can be left out empty. In addition to it being a trendy item, pineapples signify warmth, friendship, and hospitality. These are all the things you receive when going to visit friends and family over the holidays.

pineapple storage jar, $22.49 CAD (on sale), Well

The store Saje started off with only a few locations, but now you can find many all around. It has the best essential oils and aromatherapy items for home and body healing. No doubt this store will continue to grow and thrive as people are increasingly pursuing personal wellness. This great housewarming gift is priced just under $30.

electric ceramic diffuser, $29.95 CAD, Saje

Know anyone who loves stationery? Eighty Seventh St. is a Canadian company founded by Monica Smiley. Be sure to follow her on Instagram for great illustrations that are sure to bring a smile to your face. These items found online are sure to please the stationery-lover in your life.

notes, $12.50 CAD, Eighty Seventh St.

all occasion boxed notecards, $20 CAD, Eighty Seventh St.

greeting cards, Eighty Seventh St.

L’Occitane En Provence is sure to please anyone on your list. Below are two well-priced hostess/host gifts. I am a big fan of the hand cream and lip balm. They’re packaged beautifully in true “French” fashion.

shea butter holiday bauble, $14 CAD, L’Occitane

shea hugs and kisses, $20 CAD, L’Occitane

Who doesn’t love a magazine subscription? The gift of reading is perfect every time. Start someone’s year off right with a subscription to Style at Home, since it is priced perfectly, and it’s gift that will have your friends thinking of you each month.

Style at Home year subscription, $23.95 CAD for print, $19.95 for digital

As a true coffee lover, I can’t start my day without two cups. I have to draw attention to my favorite coffee – Dineen Coffee Company. We drive here monthly to pick up a few bags of their beans which we grind at home each morning. When I say “we,” I really mean my husband. There is really nothing like a good quality cup of coffee. If you happen to be in the Toronto area, trust me, buying someone a nice bag of Dineen’s temperance roast will not disappoint. It truly is my favorite cup of coffee.

Dineen Coffee

I know that many people won’t be able to make it down to Toronto, so on the subject of coffee, if you have a coffee lover on your host/hostess list, this coffee maker is not only one of a kind, but it makes an incredible cup of coffee. It is on the higher end of my price point for a hostess gift. However, if you know someone who really loves coffee, they will thank you each time you visit by making an exceptional tasting cup. And, cool bit of info, this Chemex coffee maker is featured in the MOMA in NYC!

Chemex coffee maker, $47.99 CAD (on sale), Well

Happy shopping!

– Daniela

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Oh my goodness, Daniela! You’ve shared another excellent gift guide today! Thank you! I hope you get spoiled this holiday season!