{voulez-vous sortir avec moi ce soir?}

The holidays are almost here and the invitations are piling up, and there's enough to think about with thoughtful and personal hostess gifts for dinner parties and soirées, without having to worry about what to wear . . .

To make an entrance and turn heads, something sparkly, gauzy or metallic never fails (above), or if you prefer a more understated look, black is always stylish (below), modernized with a full skirt and ruffling.

Wrap your feet like little presents in glamorous be-ribboned shoes and no one will even consider asking you to remove them before entering!

{dresses: Bill Blass via style.com}