Pretty bowls make great hostess gifts. Especially when they're on sale.

With Halloween an entire day behind us, our thoughts at Cool Mom Picks already turn to the best holiday gifts. (We can't help it!) So when I saw these beautiful little Japanese bowls on sale, I thought, ooh...hostess gift. The modernist Japanese bowls at West Elm are now just six bucks each. I love the contrasting patterns on the inside and outside, although the grey floral with the turquoise rim is especially elegant and simple. I could imagine wrapping up four of them with a nice package of steel-cut oatmeal and some maple syrup. I'm only bummed that the mugs are sold out. However, the serving bowls are still available for $12. And if I recall, the holidays are often a pretty good time for having things like that on hand, should you want one for yourself. -Liz Find the modernist Japanese bowls and servingware on sale at West Elm while they last.