Herfamily Gift Guide: 10 thoughtful hostess gifts that are NOT wine

Few things are nicer than being invited to someone's home over the festive period. And if you have been invited for something to eat, be it a gathering with just nibbles and booze, or a full-blown dinner party, it is common courtesy to bring something with you as a token of thank you to the host or hostess for having you over. Quite often, many of us opt for a bottle of wine in this instance, knowing that it usually is very welcome, and also, let's be honest, it's the easiest thing to grab when you are running through your local supermarket on the way there. But if you want to be a little more creative, hell, personal even, maybe you could try bringing any of these for your hostess? We are certain they will be MUCH appreciated: 1. Monogrammed phone cover Monogrammed is having a moment, and we are currently head over heels with the gorgeous new Irish leather customisation company, Bisou Design. Seriously; how chic is this personalized leather phone cover? Pretty much the perfect gift, we think. Monogrammed iPhone 7 cover, €45, Bisou Design 2. Dublin Herbalist Gift Box This gift box makes the perfect, thoughtful present, we think. We love Dublin Herbalists, with their use of vegan and organic ingredients. The products are handmade and blended in Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary and include no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate or other abrasive hidden additives. Dublin Herbalists Regenerating gift box contains Everyday Cleansing Gel, Hydrating face Serum and Regenerating Face Cream, €70,85, Dublinherbalist.ie 3. Amber glass set Anyone who loves to entertain will no doubt appreciate this set of four amber-coloured grooved glasses. Not only are they perfect as whiskey tumblers, they are also welcoming of equally sophisticated spirits, of course. Amber glass set with four glass tumblers, €28, Home-lust.com 4. Chocolate & Peanut Cream The ultimate after dinner drink, this rich chocolate and peanut cream mixed with fresh cream. Perfect for when you want to just bring along something alcoholic, but slightly more exotic than just wine. M&S Chocolate & Peanut Cream, €13,50, M&S 5. Butlers Signature Truffle 6pk You can never go wrong with chocolate. And with the 25 different varieties of chocolates in the new Butlers Signature Chocolate line, you are sure to find something that suits your host or hostess perfectly. Butlers Signature 6pk range, €4.50 per pack of six chocolates, or any three packs for 12 euro, available exclusively at Butlers Chocolate Cafés 6. Alpha-H Age Delay Hand and Cuticle Cream Winter can be tough on hands, and so gifting someone a luxuriously rich and lovely hand cream will always go down well, we think. And currently, we are loving this Alpha-H hand cream, with its blend of essential oils helps to nourish, smooth and brighten hardworking hands while Jojoba and avocado oils, together with Vitamin E work to strengthen, repair and protect skin and cuticles. Alpha-H Age Delay Hand and Cuticle Cream, €28, available from pharmacies nationwide 7. Cloon Keen Atelier Fig Tree Scented Candle You can't go wrong with a beautifully packaged and scented candle when it comes to gifting someone something that makes them smile. We are forever re-stocking up on our favourite fig-scented candle from Galway-based Cloon Keen Atelier, and cannot imagine the hostess who would not be delighted with this gift this Christmas. Cloon Keen Atelier Fig Tree Scented Candle, €40, Cloon Keen Atelier 8. Spiced Clementine Whisky Sour This ready-to-drink cocktail is made with fruity clementine, scotch whiskey, lemon juice and cinnamon, and makes the perfect festive hostess gift, we think. Spiced Clementine Whisky Sour, €15, M&S 9. Jesus Mary and Joseph Apron We just simply cannot imagine what keen cook would not be delighted with a new apron this holiday season, and, well, you are not going to find one more perfect than this one. Jesus Mary and Joseph Apron, €20, GrandGrand.ie 10. Chrissy Teigen 'Cravings' For anyone who loves to spend time in the kitchen, Chrissy Teigen's cookbook 'Cravings' is bound to be a much appreciated gift. Not only because the recipes are pretty much all to die for, but also because the book is so pretty, it is practically also a coffee table book Chrissy Teigen 'Cravings,' £13.60, Amazon.co.uk