Pistachios: The Perfect Hostess Gift

How many times have you given your hostess the same old gift because you can't think of anything better? Think about giving your hostess a gift of pistachio nuts in a colorful tin or a unique container. It's a one-of-a-kind idea that adds a personal touch. Most people love pistachios but do not buy them regularly, so these tasty nuts are an extra special treat.

There are others who don't agree with me that wine is not the perfect hostess gift. Wine is not a good gift for the host unless you know them personally and know what they like. Your hostess could have various reasons, such as religious convictions or health concerns, to abstain from alcohol. Also, both the children and the adults in the family will enjoy pistachios.

Flowers are a popular hostess gift, but they are more work than anything because the hostess has to stop what she's doing to locate a suitable vase to put them in right away.

Do you think chocolate is a good choice? Don't you think that it will make an exceptional hostess present? Perhaps, but not if your hostess is dieting or cutting down on sugar, not to mention that you would still be left wondering whether she would prefer milk chocolate or dark.

Pistachio nuts are a great selection. Aside from being a gift that will set you apart from the crowd, they are also delicious and highly nutritious. Tons of essential nutrients are packed into each one of the pistachios, including antioxidants, fiber, protein, vitamin B6, lutein, phytosterols, and the "good fat” you always hear about.

Furthermore, they have low levels of saturated fat and are a good source of vitamins. Studies have proven that eating one or two handfuls (approximately 1.5 to 3 ounces) of pistachios a day lowers cholesterol and makes our hearts healthier. For example, researchers at Pennsylvania State University have revealed studies showing that pistachios may even be helpful in lowering your blood pressure.

Pistachios do have 170 calories in about an ounce which is only 43 to 49 kernels. But pistachios must be removed from their shells before they can be eaten, so this reduces automatic and mindless consumption. Consequently, these nuts are capable of enhancing nutritional needs.

The more you know about the pistachio, the more there is to like. I not only give pistachios as hostess gifts, I also buy bulk quantities of roasted pistachios at Christmas time to create gift bags for friends and neighbors. I put the pistachios in a clear bag, fold down the top, and attach a colorful homemade greeting card. Just in case somebody arrives with a surprise gift for you, you can keep these treat bags stocked in your kitchen.

Make sure you purchase extra roasted pistachios; you will want to keep some. It would be quite a predicament if you ended up eating the nuts you intended to give away as gifts, and having to re-gift that cheap bottle of wine that someone gave you as a hostess gift years ago is not exactly proper.

About the Author

From pistachios to roasted almonds, Galvin Nussingten has always been a fan of nuts. In fact, each year he buys bulk nuts wholesale from Yurosek Farms. They have the best gourmet nuts, and Galvin can purchase the holiday nut gifts through their website. For corporate holiday gifts or hostess presents, pistachos do the job well.