Printed invitations, with a stamp and -- oh my -- mailed. Thank you notes, with a stamp and -- seriously?! -- delivered by the postman. These staples of social convention may linger on but frankly, flourished in another era. But hostess gifts? We love-love-love hostess gifts. Tis the season for parties and celebrations, bring on the ideas!

First -- take the quick-quick Hostess Gift Poll!

"So often it is not the dollar amount it is just the thought and gesture that matter." ~ So says Patty's Pantry when sharing Top Ten Fun Hostess Gift Ideas. My favorite? A shopping bag.

The always amusing Kris from To Be Mrs Marv says her hostess gift recipients aren't happy. "I tend to make some foods and inflict them on people. Sometimes, I feel a little bad about it. It seems that people tend to eat the stuff I give them in one sitting after their guests leave." So now she's working on 'healthy hostess gifts', like spice nut brittle.

Nuts are popular hostess gifts! David Lebovitz is a fan of his Candied Peanuts too, Patent and the Pantry of her Rosemary Cashews, Karma-Free Cooking on Rosemary Almonds.

The Knead for Bread thinks that Cookie Scones would make "... a perfect gift for a teacher, co-workers, neighbors, Sunday school teacher, or as a hostess gift."

Almost Vegetarian looks for hostess gifts that are "... adorable and fun and don’t break the bank. See, I want to give people nice things (ideally, things that look like they cost a lot more than they did), but I don't want to go broke (can anyone say recession?) doing it." She's got a list of hostess gifts that are unique without breaking the bank.

Foodista found herself tucked into a fetal position, thinking about Christmas gifts during hard times. Then she realized, "There’s no need to give Le Creuset pots and Nintendo Wii for Christmas this year. Just give something from the heart. Isn’t that what the spirit of Christmas is all about anyway? Sure, it’s easy to go online and click! click! our way through our holiday shopping lists, but spending a few hours (or even just a couple) crafting something lovingly with your own hands … now that is a gift." You'll love her Top Ten Homemade Gift Ideas for hostess gifts.

"This would be really great packaged up as a holiday gift, in goodie bags or as a host/hostess gift," says Annie's Eats about Pumpkin Pie Fudge.

Smitten Kitchen loved truffles, specific truffles, as her go-to hostess gift. "Not only were they the most rich and hands-down putting to shame any and every chocolate I had ever encountered previously in my life, they were painfully expensive. It just wasn’t fair." Then she found the recipe and made homemade Chocolate Truffles.

Anita from is so thrilled with her hostess gift, she says, "This, my friends, is the way to get invited back for a return visit!"

Shall We Cook? suggests shortbread.

Catch the Spoon suggests Zucchini Cranberry Bread, very seasonal!

Food for Laughter suggests Fluffy Artichoke Dip.

Twitter Links
(NOTE: Every so often, my fellow BlogHer editor Kalyn Denny and I will do a call for links via Twitter. Follow me via Kitchen Parade on Twitter and Kalyn via Kalyn's Kitchen on Twitter.)

Photo by Sara Rosso

Ms Adventures in Italy suggests Basilcello, and Pesto Garganico.

Midwest Meals (aka Keeeksy on Twitter) suggests Spicy Pepita Ginger Chocolate Bark.

LET'S CHAT - you know, via COMMENTS

This one always gets me. What's the "right amount" to spend on a hostess gift?

If you make a gift yourself, is it worth more, no matter the cost, high or low?

What's your go-to hostess gift to give? If you've got a link, share it in the comments!

What's the favorite hostess gift you've received?

BlogHer food editor Alanna Kellogg is working on Quick Crisp Flatbread as this year's hostess gift.