Do you typically find yourself swimming in holiday party invites this time of year? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll want to show up with a thoughtful and interesting gift for the host or hostess.
“A host/hostess gift should be geared to the person receiving it or the occasion being celebrated,” says Carolyn Kraut, owner of Hands of Time Concierge. “For example, my favorite gifts for foodies depend on whether they cook and entertain in their home or enjoy good food by eating out or ordering in.”
Below, our experts and editors shared their top picks for hostess gifts. For more holiday shopping help, check out our gift ideas for men, gift ideas for women, Amazon gifts and ultra-practical gifts.
Playing cards pretty enough to leave out? We're in. This two-deck set from Liberty London comes in a sturdy drawer-style keepsake box, which is perfect for gifting and easy storage when the game ends.
Sometimes simple gifts are the best. When your host is cooking up a feast in the kitchen, make sure they have a place to rest their favorite culinary tools with this spoon holder, which will also help keep their counters clean.
“For foodies who cook or entertain at home, I like specialty salts, flavored balsamic vinegars, cookbooks, cheese and wine pairing books and books containing cocktail recipes,” says Kraut. We’re big fans of Brightland’s olive oils, and the brand’s vinegars are equally impressive — the flavors and packaging are truly gift-worthy.
A cozy blanket is a great gift for hosts who are living in a new home or throwing parties in the colder months. This Anthropologie throw comes in six vivid colorways and is a welcome addition to a couch, reading nook or lounge chair.
Perfect for a nightstand or as a centerpiece for a living room table, this carafe set comes in five colors and will make sure your host is never parched around their home.
These minimalist coasters from Graf Lantz are made of merino wool, a super absorbent material that also protects your host's tables from spills and scratches. They come in various color palettes as well as circle and square shapes.
It’s tough to go wrong with this editor-favorite Aesop hand wash and cream set, the perfect gift to impress when you don’t know the host that well.
Don’t bring cheese for a friend who likes to cook; bring them this fun kit so they can make their own!
Perfect for the cocktail — and mocktail — enthusiast, these small-batch, all-natural syrups are brewed with seasonally selected whole ingredients and natural sweeteners. Choose from flavors like spiced cranberry, spicy ginger, bright chai and meyer lemon. The brand also sells two-packs of its syrups on Amazon.
We love a board, and this “charcuterie” board featuring dessert treats (including 15 cookies, red velvet cherries, jelly candies and more), is sure to delight your favorite friend or family member with a sweet tooth.
If you're celebrating something special, bring your host a bottle of sparkling rosé — made of 60% pinot noir and 40% Chardonnay — instead of the usual Champagne for a toast.
Speaking of boards, a classic and clean serving board will give your host a new vessel to display their most delicious party snacks and treats.
Health-conscious types love this so-called “Costco of healthy eating.” The direct-to-consumer subscription site offers deals on everything from organic hand wash to seaweed snacks.
Burlap & Barrel, which was featured on season 14 of "Shark Tank," makes single-origin spices from 26 countries around the world. This gift set comes with six of the brand's most popular spices — such as Black Lime and Purple Stripe Garlic — so they can add flavor to nearly any homemade meal.
Available in Monopoly, Candyland and Clue versions, these board games have unique vintage designs they've probably never seen before. Enjoy the delights of these classic games, then keep them stored in a beautiful fabric box that can be placed on your host's bookshelf.
This basket with a hand-tied bow is packed with goodies sure to please any palate, including juicy pears, a mini chocolate cake, chocolate-covered cherries and savory bites like salami and cheeses.
They’ll learn how to pair cheeses, meats and fruits and make them look gorgeous with this highly rated book.
Adventurous cooks will love this mix of all-natural, sustainable, unrefined, flavored Icelandic salts. The salts are made with geothermal energy, leaving zero carbon footprint — and did we mention they taste amazing?
Scented gifts require some extra thought, but they aren't off the table: “Candles can be hit or miss, depending on the recipient’s scent profile," says Kraut, who highly recommends Diptyque's beloved candles. "Scents are tricky, but if you get one in a beautiful container it won’t matter if the host/hostess doesn’t care for the scent.”
“When unsure of the recipient’s scent profile, I like to pick something light that comes in a pretty container," says Kraut. “My go-to is Simpatico. These candles come in pretty hobnail glass containers in a variety of colors and scents.”
From gin to whiskey and tequila to punch, this fun book has a twist and a toast for every tippler, whatever your poison or potion.
“There is no shortage of ideas if the host/hostess has a hobby or a keen interest in a sport or two, and there are so many ideas for gardeners,” says Kraut. Perfect for a first-time homeowner or someone with a new interest in gardening, this little kit will set them up to tend their property.
“Spa gift sets or a collection of scented soaps, essential oils, aromatherapy products are popular,” says Kraut. This white vetiver scented set from Apotheke not only looks beautiful but will fill your host's home with notes of cashmere, eucalyptus, sandalwood and amber.
For your active friends, an upgraded cornhole set can be the perfect way to kick off a party and gives all the guests an activity to get the fun started.
Have this pretty plant delivered so your host can put it on display for the party, and bonus for you, you don’t have to carry anything.
This minty aromatherapy basket packed with bath salts, soaps and more body treatments will make bath time special for an exhausted host.