HI C.,
what a thoughtful hostess you are. I wish I could come to a party at your house becuz I sure do appreciate all of the little extra things people do to make the evening inviting and interesting. We just had our daughter's wedding reception at the marriott and guests enjoyed the decor we had in the cocktail reception area and in the ballroom. For the cocktail area, I used those artificial silk like leaves.. mini pumpkins, gourds.. glitter pine cones.. votive candles and we transformed that place!
about take home gifts.. I have done that before but you know.. it really isn't necessary. You are sharing your home with everyone.. that is a HUGE gift for them.. really. so take that off of your to-do list!
I think you can do a lot for the holidays and not break the bank and add personal touches to your home. I will share a few ideas here.. not to drive you nuts.. I don't always do all of these at one time.. pick and choose whatever you like.. you don't have to do a ton of stuff to add some fun touches..
If you are setting the table, a candy cane on each plate or an inexpensive ornament written with the guest name with a glitter pen is a cute place card idea. I have seen that in lots of magazines. you can thread a little ribbon through the top of the ornament and tie a bow.. I have put those plain inexpensive colored ball ornaments in different colors or whatever colors in your home.. in a big glass bowl on a table with little votives and they reflect light and look pretty. for a center piece idea...
YOu could even put that bowl in the middle of a wreath.. fresh pine or artificial.. it looks nice.
Also, an arrangement of solid colored non-scented candles on a platter of sorts with pine cones, pine boughs and or glass ornaments around it is pretty and affordable too.
I have done the cookie decorating thing and everyone enjoys that.. especially the kids. You can get a few cans of frosting and a bunch of toppings..set out in bowls.. (fisher nut outlet in Barrington and they have one in Elgin..you can go online to get directions.. is where I got all of my nuts and candy for the cocktail reception.. best prices)
People seem to enjoy small bowls of little treats set here and there around your home and they can enjoy them.. christmas M&M's and little nuts and things..
for the bathroom..even hanging a little fresh pine bough wreath on the door or ANY door looks nice with a pretty ribbon..and you can get a bunch of pine boughs from a nursery and put them in a big pot with a big red bough for your porch.. guests love something interesting to look at when the enter your home.
I just bought one of those $2 glade candles at walmart..for my bathroom.. in the air freshener aisle.. .. it was something like apple and custard scent.. a friend of mine had that scent and it was SO yummy and not over powering.. and they have those bathroom paper towels in holiday designs at Tuesday morning.. they have the best prices on those things..but it isn't necessary if you watching your budget.
okay.. feel free to email me if you want other ideas.. I love thinking about this stuff. whatever you do, your guests will appreciate it.