I have a confession: Over the last few years, I have become completely obsessed with hosting. I love thinking up a theme, pulling out the table linens and candles, and opening my home to close friends and family. During the holiday season, my hostessing energy goes into overdrive — it’s such a fun and festive time of year!
On the flip side, when I do get to enjoy being a guest in someone else’s home, I never forget to bring some kind of gift for my host. As soon as I get the invite, I file away a mental reminder to keep my eye out for something special in the days ahead. It’s an almost failsafe way to guarantee I won’t have to make a pit stop on my way to the party 😅.
Beyond showing your appreciation for your seat at the table, a hostess gift acknowledges the work that goes into throwing a successful shindig and pretty much always guarantees an invitation back. Need some ideas? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find great gifts that any hostess would appreciate!
For the Hostess Who’s Always Prepared
We all know her: When you show up at her parties, you swear to yourself that she must have hired a party planner, caterer, and decorator for the day. She’s the hostess who has more glassware than you know the name for; she’s got oyster forks and caviar spoons. She’s the hostess who seems to have it all–but I know there are a few hosting items she’d be thrilled to add to her collection!
Give these festive table linens to add a charming and personal touch to your hostess’s seasonal gatherings.
Festive Table Linens
When I’m hosting, I really like to incorporate as much decor into my theme as I can (within reason). That said, I’m always on the lookout for fun table linens that can add to the vibe. Show up for your next holiday party with festive linens wrapped up in twine, and you’ll make your hostess the happiest person in the room! I love this scalloped trim table runner, and these adorable embroidered napkins are sure to grace the table for years to come!
Plantable Scented Candle
Anyone can bring a candle as a hostess gift, but how many people think beyond the burn? This scented candle doesn’t just add a gorgeous scent to any space—once it’s been thoroughly enjoyed, the candle holder becomes a perfectly sized pot to plant the seeds included with the gift. Choose from lavender, rosemary, or thyme (or go for one of each!). You may just enjoy a meal made with those fresh herbs in the near future!
French Escargot Pots
The hostess who has everything is notoriously difficult to impress with a gift, but I can almost guarantee she won’t have a set of French escargot pots in her serveware collection. If she’s feeling fancy, she can use them as intended, but they also double (and triple, and quadruple) as vessels for everything from coarse salt to tea candles to butter. This set comes with six unique pots.
For the Hostess Who Keeps It Effortlessly Casual
This is the hostess I desperately strive to come off as — though I don’t think I’m anywhere close to pulling it off. She’s the hostess who welcomes guests with bare feet and a Diane Keaton sensibility about her. She doesn’t worry about whether the silverware matches or if she has to bring chairs in from outside to fit everyone around the table. She is the essence of easy-breezy.
Zip-Up Picnic Blanket Tote
It may be too cold for a picnic now, but you know that the moment the temperatures allow for bare arms, this hostess will be darned if she’s not eating al fresco. I love the idea of showing up to a holiday party with this zip-up picnic blanket tote in tow as your hostess gift. It ties in perfectly with the idea of an effortless meal setup, and it gives you a perfect segue to start making your springtime dining plans.
Handmade Colored Glass Straws
When plastic straws started phasing out, I set my sights on the ultimate sustainable alternative: glass straws. I don’t know what it is about them, but they’re simultaneously fun and adult all at once. Bring a set of these handmade colored glass straws as your next hostess gift, and you’re destined to be a favorite on the guest list. They make a great addition to a mix-and-match approach, a la your favorite casual hostess — a truly slam-dunk gift!
Funky Spice Grinders
When I started hosting, I didn’t really consider that my guests might want the freedom to season their food according to their tastes. It took me a few go-rounds to realize that I should be putting salt and pepper shakers on the table at every gathering. Since then, I’ve amassed a collection of shakers for different holidays and themes, and this Dusen Dusen spice grinder set is at the top of my wish list for 2024.
For the Hostess Who Never Stops Moving
She’s here! She’s there! She’s the fabulous blur that doesn’t stop moving during the entire party. She’s refilling drinks, reheating food, and worrying about everyone except herself. This kind of hostess doesn’t suffer for her involvement, but she can absolutely use some extra reinforcements so she can, I don’t know, sit down at some point during her own party.
Wine Decanter
As a hostess, it’s tempting to want to be everything to everyone at every moment. But, that’s not always realistic, especially when you’re hosting larger groups. A wine decanter is a great example of working smarter (not harder) without sacrificing quality or elegance. Bring your busy hostess this gorgeous glass decanter with a wooden stopper, and she’ll never have to worry about filling another empty glass!
Take Care Gift Set
If she can’t get a break in during the festivities, the next best thing is some rest and relaxation after the party is over. As a hostess, I would absolutely love receiving a self-care reminder in the form of these all-in-one Take Care Gift Sets. Each set facilitates a specific kind of care — Find Balance, Seek Peace, and Shine Bright — so you can choose the perfect remedy for your caring hostess.
Extra-Large Kitchen Towels
Cleaning up messes is the bane of any hostess’s existence, no matter how inevitable they may be. While paper towels can be perfectly effective, it’s easy to use up an entire roll throughout the course of a party if you’re not careful. Some of my favorite gifts from guests have been dish towel sets; you really never can have enough, and they are way more effective (and sustainable) than any paper alternative.
For the Hostess Who Always Serves Dessert
You know you’re in for a treat when this hostess invites you over. No matter the season, she never forgets to include dessert — and it’s almost always homemade. As a hostess who almost exclusively deals in sweet treats (thanks to a husband who loves to cook), I never miss an opportunity to serve up a delicious dessert before sending my guests on their way. These gifts are for my kindred spirits.
Ice Cream Cookbook
I like to think that gifting cookbooks is like sending out a secret wish to the universe (and your hostess) for future meals. When you show up with a copy of Food52’s Ice Cream & Friends recipe book, you’re increasing your chances of enjoying a delicious homemade scoop. It’s a perfect gift for any dessert-loving hostess who always serves up the sweetest end to a meal!
Glass Cupcake Candy Dish
Who doesn’t love a festive statement piece that doubles as a serving dish? This whimsical candy dish features a cute, colorful cupcake that sets a sweet tone — and doubles as a fun conversation starter. When you show up with this hostess gift, you’re adding a touch of playful elegance to the party setup; bonus points if you fill it up with your hostess’s favorite candy!
Festive Loaf Pan
Even the most experienced bakers can add to their culinary collection. ‘Tis the season to gift your hostess with a festive loaf pan in the shape of Santa’s sleigh — seriously, how cute is this? It’s ideal for baking seasonal breads and cakes, adding a sprinkle of holiday magic to any baking session. She will absolutely love the festive spirit it adds to her creations.
A Few More Gifting Tips
- If you bring flowers, make sure to put them in a vase beforehand — you don’t want to make your hostess run around looking for somewhere to put a bouquet!
- Don’t know your hostess very well? Stick to non-personal items like food or cooking ingredients.
- Unless it’s a potluck or the hostess specifically asked you to, avoid bringing food to be served at the gathering. Instead, let your hostess’s menu take the spotlight (and fridge space)!
- If you are asked to bring a dish, it’s not necessary to bring an additional gift for your hostess.
Now that you’ve got a gift for every hostess on your calendar, get ready to enjoy the holidays to the fullest. And if you’re entertaining this holiday season, be sure to read through our Simple and Delicious Holiday Recipes blog, which is complete with all the essentials for impressing your guests.
