Artisanal hostess treats

1. A luxurious topper to Sunday morning pancakes: Butternut Mountain Farm Maple Syrup, $16.50
2. Hints of lavender make give this classic herb mix its surprising taste: Herbs of Provence, $18
3. Sourced from local farms and Co-ops, these chocolate bars can even coordinate with the decor, Mast Brothers Chocolate, prices vary
4. Put your gifted food to use with easy cooking tips and tricks, D.I.Y. Delicious, $25
5. Unique flavors like blood orange and lemongrass are a welcome alternative to sparkling water, DRY Soda, $19 for a 12 pack
6. Vegan cookie dough packaged in adorable containers, EatPastry, prices vary

With the season of cocktail parties, potlucks, open houses, and get-togethers quickly approaching I thought it was a great opportunity to round up a few hostess gifts that are nothing like the standard bottle of wine (...although this is never an unwanted gift). With the culinary world heavily saturated with artisanal goodies, many for a few dollars more than the mass produced variety (ok a bit more), I thought these gifts would be a welcome change for any chef or food lover.