"Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love — that makes life and nature harmonize. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one’s very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a pefect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
~ George Eliot
Oh autumn, you inspire dreaminess... But you also inspire hospitality with all your warm and cozy charm! We have a desire to sit around the fire with something hot in the hands to sooth the chill while we embrace conversation and simply enjoy the precious act of fellowship. While it is wonderful to be invited into a home, it is even more enjoyable to prepare a little gift of appreciation and love for the hostess. This is something my mother had always done and I have tried to keep her lovely tradition. Here is a list of practical (but pretty) hostess gift ideas that can be made from what you have at home which have that fantastic "fall" feeling. We are also sharing some autumn inspired gift tags to give them with.
Cornbread Mix-in-a-Jar
(Gluten-free flour can be replaced in this recipe if need be and who doesn't like cornbread?
Printable recipe and label kit is included.)
"Give Thanks" Printable Art
(Paint a thrift store frame to match the recipient's house as an inspirational gift.)
Granola-in-a-Jar
(A simple ribbon around a recycled jar and you have a wonderful and useful gift!)
Mulling Spices and/or Simmering Potpourri
(These can be packed in small jars or decorated cellophane bags.)
Mulling Spice Room Spray
(You can prepare both mulling spice recipes for an extra fancy gift.)
Pumpkin Seed Packets
(You can use these for roasted pumpkin seed snacks or actual seeds to plant.
Bundle them up with ribbon or twine for extra effect.)
Apple Cider Scrap Vinegar
(This will take some time to ferment but would make a lovely gift when bottled up and labeled.)
Orange Extract
(Attach a favorite recipe to use the extract with for extra fun!
An orange extract vintage label and gift tag printable are also included.
Start this gift now as this will take at least a month to infuse.)
Orange Peel Potpourri
(This can be given in a cellophane bag with ribbon, inside a decorative mason jar or thrift store bowl.)
Citrus Peel Tea Blends
(Present this in a decorated mason jar or recycled tin with ribbon.)
Orange Bath Powders
(Present this in a recycled jar or make your own apothecary style jar.)
Orange Sugar Scrub
(Prepare a bath set by giving both of the orange body product recipes we shared.)
Citrus Infused Cleaning Product Set
(This set would be darling inside an old pail and wrapped in cellophane.)
A basket of homemade herbal remedies would also make a welcoming gift for fall and winter. And of course, a jar of home-canned anything with a bit of decorative charm is always appreciated! Dig up some fabric scraps and ribbon and enjoy creating a homemade gift from the heart! For some beautiful and frugal gift wrapping ideas, you will want to visit The Bluebirds are Nesting.
Some of the autumn clip art is courtesy of Little Birdie Blessings, The Graphics Fairy and Reading Roses and Prose. To access our autumn labels, simply download (it is the button on the bottom with the "arrow" picture") and print your copy from the menu link below. We printed ours on white card-stock, hole punched them and added some ribbon. What will you give with yours?
PRINTABLE Autumn Inspired Gift Tag Set by JES
"... and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive."
~ Acts 20:35
This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays, The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop, Wow Us Wednesdays, Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.