Hip {Hostess} Gift from World Market

I'll make a deal with you. My craftiness does not extend into the kitchen! So, if you invite me over for a nice dinner party I will provide you with a crafty, hip, creative, and useful hostess gift! Sounds like a good deal to me, are you in? Recently I was provided with a wonderful shopping opportunity at Cost Plus World Market where I got the chance to create the perfect gourmet gift basket/hostess gift. If you have ever stepped foot in a World Market then you know that it is the perfect place to go for unique, gourmet gifts. If you don't have one near you have no fear, they have recently launched a brand new website for all your online shopping desires (and once you click through several pages you will have many desires for their goodies). 

Before I get started on my shopping trip I wanted to share with you a fantastic giveaway that World Market has going on right now! The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes is a chance to win some amazing prizes  - 

**Grand Prize package includes:

• A trip for two to to Santa Fe, New Mexico (this is a 5 day Trip for 2 to Santa Fe which includes airfare and hotel)
• Hands on Southwestern Cooking class with Master Chef
• Personally signed glossy cookbook
• Multi-course dinner at the acclaimed Geronimo
• Southwestern Foodie Tour with a cultural kick
• A $1,000 World Market gift card

** There will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $500 World Market gift card!

**The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes runs from August 18, 2012 until September 21, 2012.

**If you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.

I've never been to Santa Fe but I can only imagine what an inspiring place it would be to go and actually maybe learn to cook something for myself!! Well until I can learn to cook, I will just focus on the gift basket making for my friends than can cook!

When I first walked in the door I was greeted by this awesome "Create a Gift" display that had everything you need to create the perfect gift - baskets, basket fillers, cards, favor boxes, cellophane over wrap, wrapping paper...you get the idea! Oh and did I mention my personal favorite? Tons of colorful ribbon options! I think it's a great first stop in the store to get some color or theme inspiration for your gift.

 And if you know anything about me you know that as much as I love ribbon I love POLKA DOTS even more! Cost Plus World Market has no shortage of cute, colorful polka dot products!

 The range of baskets and buckets available to hold your goodies is outstanding. I thought this wide weave basket would be perfect for almost anyone's house! And the range of vivid colors in their products makes it super easy to tailor your gift to the recipient.

 And if you need a little help there was this great chalkboard art at a gift station in the center of the store that will help you put your one-of-a-kind gift together OR help you get ideas & inspiration with a large book of gift basket ideas. (I also had to take a photo of this beer bottle that caught my eye - it's a Maple Bacon Ale in a bright pink bottle!!!)

So after the circling the store several times, and having to get back on course after many a detour, I finally decided on the items that I thought would make the perfect hostess basket! I wanted to help my hostess make all her gourmet good by providing a solid, vibrant, fun base of cookwares and other helpful kitchen items. Plus a few goodies for the host herself to enjoy, like dark chocolate covered pretzels and an individual bottle of prosecco!

Using the beautiful mixing bowls as my gift basket base, I added Styrofoam risers (that I cut out of a cake dummie I had sitting in my craft room) to give space in between the bowls, securing them with some large glue dots so the gift could be transported flawlessly. The colorful crinkled filler covers up the Styrofoam so no one can spot it. Then I just started placing all my goodies in the different layers to create a fun, hip hostess gift that anyone would love to receive!

So what do you think after seeing my hostess gift basket? Is our deal still on? Will you create gourmet meals for me and I will create gourmet gifts for you?  If you want to connect with World Market to find out more information and keep in the loop on the Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes you can find them everywhere Online Twitter Facebook Google + Pinterest

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own, as usual!