Hostess Gifts -- bring one of these and be a favorite houseguest

As summer is the "high season" for houseguests, we thought we'd pass on a few ideas for gifts that will delight your hosts and get your visit off to a good start!

Candles are something that most people love and can be useful and beautiful -- and safe if you're not sure of the hosts' tastes or interior design style.  We love the Diptyque mini candle sets.  They offer variety and have gorgeous packaging.  And they smell like summer.

Fancy soap is also an easy gift that people love and rarely buy for themselves.  Molton Brown sells boxed sets of their luxurious soaps that look far more expensive than they are....

A decadent olive oil is another idea for a gift that will appeal to most hosts.  Check out www.igourmet.com for a huge selection.

Wine, champagne or a bottle of liquor is a welcome gift-- depending on your hosts sobriety status(!)-- so be sure to know your hosts AA status before gifting booze.  A fun idea for a beach house visit-- a Dark n Stormy cocktail basket--  fill a basket with a bottle of Goslings rum, ginger beer and limes-- cheers!!  Wally's can customize baskets and has loads of fantastic options.