A bouquet of flowers makes a wonderful hostess gift and your gift will be appreciated long after the party is over. Buy flowers a few hours before party time so they stay fresh. Choose a wrap that matches the occasion, such as a map for a bon voyage party.

But don't use the plastic wrap the flowers come in — remove it and use it as a template to cut a fabric or paper covers. And consider doing some research into the "language of flowers" to add an extra dimension to your gift. Pink roses mean gratitude, for example, while daisies mean cheer.