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Giving thanks to the hosts of holiday parties

By Paige McGlothlin, McClatchy Newspapers, Source: MCT News Service

This party season, share your appreciation the moment you arrive with these delightful hostess gifts.

MIRROR, MIRROR

Almost too pretty to hide away in a purse, these decorative pewter compacts contain dual-sided mirrors _ one reflects beauty, the other magnifies it. $20. Details: Fal De Ral in Aledo, Texas (817-441-2217).

A GOLDEN TOUCH

This gold-leaf decorative napkin holder from October Hill makes a nifty home for cocktail napkins of any stripe. $10.50. This all-season China Blue selection from Michel Design Works is especially elegant. $6. Details: Wright at Home in Fort Worth, Texas (817-989-8222).

FLAME RESPLENDENT

The flame inside this tall painted-glass candle from Lollia will brighten any room, and the candle smells good, too _ like delicate ginger blossoms. $56. Details: Lollia (www.lollialife.com).

A DE-VINE GIFT

A bottle of wine to enjoy at another time remains a classic bring-with, especially when it's jazzed up with this fun, feather-fringed and beaded bottle topper from Aisle Ten. $20. It's the perfect foil to this bottle from D'Vine Wine, which boasts a label that can be customized. $13. Details: Aisle Ten in Fort Worth, Texas (817-922-8422). D'Vine Wine (www.dvinewineusa.com).

BOTTLE SERVICE

Give your host the gift of calm with a foaming bubble bath called Believe, from Lollia, cleverly contained in a wine bottle and smelling of cabbage rose and citrus. $34. Details: Lollia (www.lollialife.com).

A CLEAN GIVEAWAY

These wonderful soap collections are perfectly packaged for gift giving. In the green box is a set that combines a decoupage tray, votive candle and soap in a Mandarin basil fragrance from Fringe. $34.50. The set also comes in a Petal fragrance, shown in the orange box at the bottom right. Also $34.50. Top right is a collection of fresh linen-scented soaps from Gianna Rose Atelier, whose sale benefits breast-cancer research (no longer available online). $29. Details: Fringe soaps at Touch of Europe (www.bloomindales.com). Gianna Rose Atelier (www.giannarose.com).

TOP STOPS

Everyone loves gifts that combine cleverness with usefulness, like these fun Knobstoppers made from doorknobs and hardwood-reinforced cork. $22-$36. Details: Knobstoppers (www.knobstoppers.com).

HELP AT HAND

Winter is especially harsh on hands, which is why any hostess will appreciate Lollia's Wish sugared pastille hand cream. $24. Details: Lollia (www.lollialife.com).

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(c) 2009, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Visit the Star-Telegram on the World Wide Web: www.star-telegram.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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