She might try the bargain section of Barnes and Nobel for books that would benefit the entire household, like a reference book or a cookbook. Just tell her to watch hardcover/paperback as some people would rather give hard cover as gifts. I think there are several in there for under $5.00, though not sure if she can get a break on shipping. If her budget goes up to $10 a hostess, she could add a couple of mugs from the dollar store filled with a kind of candy (you can get a box of caramel nips for about 1.00 that fill most mugs to brimming) or she could buy a couple of wooden spoons and a wisk and tie the utensils and the book up with rafia for a nice presentation.

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