How To Get the Most From Your Toast

A toast should not be too long or embarrassing. Short and pungent, is the key to a successful toast. Here are a few tips from Champagne expert and style maker, Diana Martin…

1. Maintain eye contact and speak from the heart.


2. Let your guests know how exciting it is to be together and to share this moment.


3. The toastmaster shouldn't prepare too much as it is best to be spontaneous.


4. A toast should be short enough to be memorized—no longer than a minute—especially if there are others who will follow.


5. You should begin by raising a glass to eye level—first staring directly at the person you are toasting and then, as you speak, gazing at the other guests.


6. People shouldn't reserve toasts for formal occasions.


7. You should touch the glasses with every single person there, which seals the deal, as in, “I accept your toast and the thought behind it”. If the crowd is too large, touch the glass of the person you are toasting who then passes it to the next person and so on…


8. There are no rules for champagne glasses …from the classic crystal flute to colorful artful glasses. For a small dinner party, mix and match glasses to bring spark to the party.

Tea Time

With simplicity as the guiding principle for ceramic artist Judith Weber, her tea sets inspire the elegance of traditional Japanese Ceramics and the clean lines of Scandinavian design. It is a little piece of spring that can be enjoyed right now, even during the warmer summer season.

It makes a lovely bridal shower gift (far more quaint and thoughtful than something right off the registry), as well as a token of kindness for hostesses and new homeowners. And if your Mom's an espresso fan, you might want to consider giving her a set of these as her Mother's Day gift.

A Day In the Park

Life can get pretty hectic. Between a full-time job, going to dinner parties, meeting friends, and squeezing in the rare workout, there's not much time left to find a quiet spot and just sit. That's why I love the idea of this Picnic Wine Bag — it encourages people to escape the insanity and head to the park or even out to the country for a relaxing afternoon.

With all the items included, the picnic wine bag has all the trappings for a perfect day in the park with close friends or loved ones. A perfect anniversary or birthday gift!

"It's all in the delivery"

It's true when you think about it; some gifts seem even more valuable when they have the perfect packaging. Now more than ever, it's become 'in vogue' to give gifts in swirled ribbons, customized gift sacks, impressionable wrapping, and logo branded boxes.

It's normal to assume the gift inside the creative design is equally as lavish or carefully crafted. It's also your chance to further show the person that this occasion is special to you since you've thought of every detail - right down to the wrapping!



Try colors and materials that are "outside the box". While many of us think of traditional colors like red and green for Christmas or shades of fall for Thanksgiving, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to wrapping gifts and preparing cards. For many gift givers, the paper, bows and envelopes are an extension of their own personal style.

You've no doubt put a lot of time and energy into choosing a gift that reflects the interests and tastes of the person receiving the gift. All of that effort is even more personal when you consider the presentation. Trendy, classic, artistic, eclectic - throw yourself into those papers and bows and a make a great gift truly extraordinary.

The Quintessential Gift – how to be the flawless gift giver

1. The gift must be of quality such that the gift recipient doesn’t need to think about the pricing or question if it was “cheap” or a “recycled” gift.


2. The gift has to both be a reflection of the gift giver and the gift recipient.


3. It should be something luxurious ~ supremely unexpected with a heartfelt
   expression of thoughtfulness; luxurious does not imply expensive.


4. Must be impeccably packaged and handsomely presented ~ the element of surprise adds to the anticipation of opening.


5. A well-thought out note to accompany the gift: including why the gift is so
   special, why it was selected and why you are giving this gift.


6. The perfect gift shows appreciation, respect, goodwill and attention.

How to get invited back

Ways to say thank you to your hostess

This summer, many of us will be invited to garden dinners, beach cook-out’s, summer parties and other warm-weather social gatherings. Some may be lucky enough to staying overnight or a weekend at a friend or family member’s beach front home. Wine and flowers are predictable, but the well-mannered guest knows that when buying a hostess gift, a touch of ingenuity goes a long way toward engendering a fellowship that lasts longer than the visit. Send a message of appreciation with an extraordinary gift.

Upon arrival, present your hostess with a small luxurious gift as a way to say thanks for the invitation. Fail-safe items are: beautiful scented candles from Volupsa or Dayna Decker, monogrammed beach or shopping tote, epicurean olive oils or aged vinegars, personalized note cards. The gift should be presented beautifully and include a hand-written note expressing gratitude. A well-thought out gift that matches one’s personal interests and style goes a long way in saying “you are special”.

For a dinner party gift, suggestions are a set of sleek agate coasters, themed napkin rings, whimsical tongs, small dishes or swanky swizzle sticks.

Hostess thank you gifts don’t have to be overly expensive or big. They are your way of communicating a thanks for being included for a memorable time. The most important part is to be gracious and make sure the hostess feels appreciated. And... don’t forget to send a thank-you note after the stay!



Diana Martin Gifts Top 5 Tips For Flattering the Hostess

1. Present the hostess with a gift when being greeted; beautifully presented with a hand-written card.
2. If you are staying a weekend, ask to help the hostess i.e. set the table, get flowers…
3. When leaving someone’s home, ask if you can strip the sheets and put the towels in the laundry basket; tidy your room even if the housekeeper is coming.
4. Entertain yourself .. don’t make the hostess feel pressure to keep you busy… bring a book or go for a swim … alone time is okay.
5. Send a hand-written note of thanks when home.