Every year I feature these dessert excuses plates either in a blog or we merchandise them somewhere on SHOP.COM and every year they sell out. This time they sold out at Target but I found them at a store called Kitchen Kapers…on sale! They are really adorable small dessert plates that say “We’ll have two forks please”, “OK, just a sliver”, “Have another, they’re small”, and “Oh no, I couldn’t”. Not your average dull or dainty dessert plate, that’s for sure. And that’s why it’s topping this list of great hostess gift ideas for the holidays.

My next pick for a hostess gift is rather unusual, but I had to feature it. It’s a Bacon of the Month Club. Yes, I said bacon. Every month. While you may be tempted to keep this one for yourself, it might be worth giving this to say, a boss you’re trying to impress, a potential father-in-law, or maybe even the friend you’re trying to convince to babysit for you. Either way, give this to a host and you’ll be the hit of the party. Each month they’ll receive everything from Applewood smoked to pepper to Canadian bacon, delivered straight to their door along with detailed notes about the bacon, a “bacon strip” (a comic strip about bacon), and more. Ham it up, why not? Goes great with this adorable bacon pig press too!

Although I usually avoid giving hostess gifts that inspire images of work (ie cooking, cleaning, kitchen stuff, etc.), I could not resist adding this amazing paella set from wine.com on this list. Maybe because I want this myself. (hint, hint). Anyway, not only does it come with a gorgeous paella pan but with an entire bottle of Campo Viejo Rioja wine! And some tapas plates, Spanish saffron, olives, paprika and paella rice! It’s a great bargain for $60 and a perfect gift for the hostess who loves to cook.

Everyone loves plants, but how many people do you know that actually take care of them? That’s why this Grobal baby self-watering pot is a great hostess gift idea for the hostess with the mostest…on her plate that doesn’t even have time to water plants. Comes with soil, food, and is available in several different colors here.

There’s nothing than being the life of the party, the cat’s meow, a ray of sunshine…no, literally. You can bring a ray of sunshine to your next party with this holiday hostess gift idea — the Sunjar. It’s a mason jar that, when placed in the sunshine, charges its own battery, emitting light through the frosted jar when fully charged. Great gift for the eco-friendly peeps in your life.

For the hostesses that might wash their hands of the whole bacon of the month club idea, you can still wow them with these cute pig soaps! Gianna Rose makes an entire collection of absolutely adorable soaps — maltese dog soaps, cat soaps, wise owl soaps, and much more. See the entire selection of Gianna Rose soaps here.

Why wait to drink your wine when you can come prepared with the Vinturi wine aerator. It makes a better hostess gift than wine does — just think, they’ll want to use it right away, so you can benefit too!

This is a really unique hostess gift idea and perfect for the foodie — wild hibiscus flowers in syrup. These are gorgeous edible flowers that you can toss into a champagne glass or into any carbonated drink, instantly opening up the bouquet, so to speak. Very pretty and dainty. You’ll wow her with this one.

These onion goggles are amazing. I have them in green and they make chopping onions totally bearable. Makes a great hostess gift for the delicate girly-girl who loves to cook but is, uh…a bit delicate. She’ll never cry again!

Have a great suggestion for a unique hostess gift? Please share with us!