Whether you’ve been invited to a dinner party, housewarming or just a get together, nothing says “thank you for having me” more than showing up with a useful and considered hostess gift. If you’re tired of always bringing wine to the function yet are stumped on what else to give your host(ess) with the mostest, you’re in luck. We consulted with experts and asked our editors for picks that are sure to impress (and get you invited back every time).
“It’s always a nice gesture and arguably better when it’s unexpected,” says event planner Jessica Sloane. With that advice in mind, we asked top interior designers to share their ideas for the best hostess gifts that are always a hit. Plus, the Shop TODAY team curated their go-to hostess gift ideas that will upgrade your invitation from guest to VIP for any upcoming gatherings.
Psst! You might even want to keep a few of these for yourself.
Best hostess gifts under $25
Shopping for something truly unique? Try a personalized wine label, which is one of my [Hoeger’s] favorite things to give and receive.
“This has been a go-to gift for my friends and I since college. Whether we were celebrating our initial college apartments or our first big girl apartments post-grad, it’s been so fun to personalize friends’ favorite bottle of wine with our favorite photos together. I have two myself and they’ve both been so fun to receive.”
“While most people have a collection of traditional cookbooks, few have an assortment of cocktail recipe books, making this a great hostess gift,” says interior designer Philip Mitchell about this literary-inspired libation guide. “This one includes clever drink recipes like Tequila Mockingbird or Love in The Time of Kahlua.”
If they’re sick of fiddling with bottle stoppers, we found an easy solution: bottle condoms. According to the brand, they have an air-tight grip that prolongs freshness and we’re sure they’ll elicit a giggle or two from your recipient.
Alison Roman is beloved for her impressive yet easy-to-cook recipes. This cookbook is a great gift for the host or hostess in your life, as it will provide them with fresh cooking inspiration and look great on their counter or bookshelf.
Since it’s likely that your host regularly has their hands in a sink of hot, soapy water, treat them to a luxe hand wash to sit on their countertop. This Koala Eco soap is beautifully packaged, free of harsh chemicals, and used by influencers and celebrities alike. Shop TODAY associate editor Erica Marrison owns and loves this hand wash, as well as the brand’s dish soap. (There’s a matching hand lotion, too!) It feels and looks luxe, but it’s a fraction of the cost of other upmarket hand soaps.
A fun dining towel is always a great gift, but a modern and sustainable one will absolutely wow your hostess. These are on my [Hoeger’s] wish list when I move next — they’re some of the softest and always have such fun designs.
An award-winning gift according to Shop TODAY editors, these state-shaped ornaments are made of stoneware and glass designed to resemble geodes. We love it for hosts who appreciate a one-of-a-kind memento.
Marrison is a fan of Solino Home for it’s 100% linen fabrics. “I own and love these reusable cocktail napkins, and think they’d make a great hostess gift (solo or paired with a bottle of wine),” she says. And if you’re shopping last minute, you can order them quickly on Amazon Prime.
Whether you’re shopping for a home cook or a foodie, this affordable balsamic vinegar is prepared to dress to impress (literally!). The vinegar is a Protected Geographical Indication product, which means it can only be made in one place. In this case, that place is Modena. The brand recommends pairing it with vegetables, meat, cheese, fish, ice cream and fruit.
Sometimes the day gets ahead of you and you go for a sip of your coffee to find it is cold. If they are always drinking tea or coffee, this mug warmer is a great gift for the host.
When it comes to holidays and special occasions, there’s almost always a bottle of wine being opened — and this electric wine opener makes popping the cork simpler. You can trust that it really works: our editorial team tested 10 electric wine openers for our “Ranked” series and this was the winner. Plus, with more than 7,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, you can trust that it’s tried and true for other shoppers, too. Better yet, it’s just $23!
Another kitchen staple for a great host is always some pretty great cookbooks, and who is better than Ina Garten? In this book, Ina shares some of her favorite dinners to help the host with some dinner inspiration.
Who doesn’t love a flaky pastry? Edible hostess gifts are always enjoyed, and this is one of deputy managing editor Jess Bender‘s favorites.
“This has actually been gifted to me a few times over the last year as I finally got around to hosting belated housewarming parties over the holiday season and I loved every last bite of them over the span of several mornings,” she says. “Bonus: They perfectly complement whatever your go-to breakfast sip is.”
I [Stewart-Jackson] think a coaster is an underrated gift because they’re a great way to infuse a little personality into something you’ll use everyday. This set from Minted has trending scalloped edges and a fun, daisy design.
Best hostess gifts under $50
A quality cutting board is also a staple for any home cook. This titanium option is double-sided so they can easily flip the board over when it is time to chop up something else (and, most importantly, it’s easy to clean!).
If you’re growing tired of gifting a classic jar candle, switch it up with a set of painted tapers. This Pottery Barn pair is almost too pretty to light. But if you do, they boast 12 hours of burn time, per the brand.
As someone who likes the ritual of an evening drink but doesn’t always want to consume alcohol (particularly on weeknights), Ghia’s original aperitif is Marrison’s go-to non-alcoholic beverage. “I love that it leans bitter with an amaro-like kick (aka: it doesn’t just taste like juice, as many mocktails do). Plus, the gorgeous ribbed bottle is one I actually want to display in my kitchen. I know some people don’t like paying more than $10 for an N/A drink, but I think the price point is part of what makes it gift-worthy.”
High-quality tea towels make a lovely gift for those who might not splurge on them for themselves. This set of two is from cookbook author and television personality Molly Yeh’s collaboration with Anthropologie. Not only will they add a pop of color to your kitchen, they’re made from 100% cotton.
Who doesn’t love a reusable party gift? These cocktail napkins can be washed and set out time and time again — near grazing tables, on bar carts and more.
Scrabble is a total classic, so we think it makes a great gift for any host or homebody. This edition from W.S. Game Company comes in a book-like box, so it displays well on living room shelving.
This Dolce-scented candle is a Shop TODAY pick from last year’s Holiday Hosting curated box. With a high-end smell for an affordable price, any host would appreciate this thoughtful and useful gift for their home. Shop TODAY deputy managing editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil shares, “This is the first candle that I officially burned to the nub — then immediately restocked. That’s how good it smells!” She added that “it has a premium, gift-worthy feel thanks to the luxe glass jar and gold lid.”
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Gifts We Love on Amazon
Gifts We Love - Stocking stuffers
Award-Winning Stocking StuffersBest hostess gifts for parties
We’ve all been there: you’re at a party, put your wine glass down and then can’t remember exactly which one is yours. The best solution for that tends to be wine charms — and this cute set is just $12.
This candle care set will come in handy for anyone who’s always got home fragrance burning. Plus, the wick trimmer, flame snuffer and gold lid look great displayed next to a candle on the coffee table.
Gifts are an excuse to enjoy the finer things in life, and this Truff starter pack is more than fine — it’s delicious. The set includes truffle-infused hot sauce, salt and olive oil, all perfect for flavoring everything from wings to pizza. Production coordinator Bella Druckman recommends topping homemade popcorn with the truffle salt and the truffle olive oil for an addictive snack.
“True story: I had a major disaster the second time I was hosting people in my apartment that started with my existing cocktail shaker being stuck closed for 24 hours and ended with purple liquor splattered all over my white walls,” says Bender. “Needless to say, an upgrade was direly necessary. I fortunately received a sample of this Yeti shaker shortly after the infamous mishap, but I would pay full price for the quality you’re getting with it. This also earned my bartender friend’s seal of approval thanks to thoughtful features like its double-wall vacuum insulation and No Sweat Design on the outside.”
Any host will appreciate you arriving on their doorstep with these beloved cookies from Levain. There are nine different assortments you can choose from, including one that’s vegan and gluten-free! If they’re feeling generous, they can share with guests or they can save them for when everyone’s gone at the end of the night (we won’t judge).
These glasses sit atop my [Stewart-Jackson’s] bar cart and they look so good! I’ve recently started getting into wine and trying different types to determine my favorites, so I love that these are designed for all of them — especially since I don’t have much space in my New York City apartment. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe!
“I think this would be a great gift for someone hosting in a new home or space,” says associate editor Annie Shigo. “They are beautifully made and really durable.” These glasses may be a splurge, but both the brand and Shigo admit that they’re going to last any host or hostess a good amount of time, making them a worthy investment.
If they love to put out a fresh bouquet of flowers every time they host, this collaboration between Fresh Sends and Partners Coffee will give them the best of the food and flower worlds. The regular size comes with a fresh floral bouquet, a pouch of delicious Rockaway Cold Brew coffee (I [Marrison] can attest to the flavor) and a Bink mini bottle, which is great for carrying water and cold brew alike.
Best host gifts for men
For the popcorn fanatic who hosts movie nights, this microwavable popcorn popper is great. It comes in six colors so you can match it to their home.
For the grill master, you can’t go wrong with a grill cleaning set that helps keep their grill in tip top shape. The set includes 25 wipes, so they’ll have enough to keep their grill clean for the summer and fall season.
You can never have too many blankets, right? This fluffy fleece option is ideal for hosts and hostesses entertaining during the cold winter months. It’s earned more than 130,000 verified five-star reviews on Amazon with shoppers raving about the blanket’s quality, weight and warmth.
If they can’t wear a jersey while cooking, get them the next best thing with this apron where they can rep their favorite team. It has five pockets so you can keep all the essentials in there.
Let’s be honest, the next best thing after a dinner party is lounging in your comfy clothes afterwards. Once the final guest has gone home and it’s been decided that the dishes can wait until tomorrow, they’ll want nothing more than to slip into these ultra cozy slippers. Psst: they’re even available in women’s sizes.
After dinner, when your host is ready to offer guests tea, this kettle by Fellow will not only serve a utilitarian purpose but impress guests with it’s beautiful design. Marrison owns and loves it not only for how great it looks on the counter, but because there’s a “hold mode” function that maintains your desired temperature for 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
What should I look for in a host or hostess gift?
Consider what type of event you’re going to before you decide what you get.
“Hostess gifts for a weekend stay are generally more significant than a traditional hostess gift you’d give for a quick party,” says Jamie Kutchman Wynne, founder and CEO of Marigold & Grey.
Generally, if you’re going to a smaller event, such as a dinner party or girl’s night wine night, spend about $20 to $30. For a housewarming plan to spend $20 to $75, depending on how well you know the person and for an overnight stay, anywhere from $50 to $200.
Finally, remember that it can be hard to give gifts that people will use, so you likely want to stay away from personalized gifts unless you know the host or hostess particularly well. Edible gifts like cheese, wine or even olive oil are some of the safest choices for a thoughtful, well-appreciated gift.
Frequently asked questions
"Even if a hostess requests no gifts, it's always polite to not show up empty-handed," says Lindsay Roberts Schey, Founder of TheGiftInsider.com. "In situations like this, something that can be used at the gathering is a great way to go."
"Post-pandemic, social norms have relaxed," says Wynne. "If you show up empty-handed, it's totally acceptable to send something post-event. Personally, I think it adds a level of interest to the gift and shows some additional thoughtfulness since you're taking the time to send it. This way, your gift will undoubtedly stand out more because it won't get lost in the shuffle of all the other hostess gifts she'll be receiving at the same time."
At a minimum, send a thank-you note. "Handwritten notes are not a thing of the past," says Sloane. "Everyone enjoys getting something meaningful in the mail."
"Giving the gift to the hostess upon arrival is a great way to show up and break the initial ice when entering a party," says Wynne. "When hosting, she's likely not going to open it right in front of you anyway, but will feel exciting to her to know she has something to look forward to once the event is over. "
However, if it's a more intimate gift or something you'd like them to open in front of you, Schey suggests waiting until later in the party, when the host has a little free time.
"Traditional gift wrap is certainly not necessary, but some attention to presentation always goes a long way and increases the element of surprise," says Wynne, who suggests using a fun reusable bag or Japanese furoshiki wrap.
For a weekend stay, gifting a little more substantial gift is appropriate.
"You can gift a meal kit, brunch kit or bring all of the goods needed to cook for the guests one night or day," says Schey. "We love sending a Russ and Daughters brunch as a thank you after a weekend stay. The trending and modern take on gift baskets is a great way to go as well; we love BoxFox's Thank You Boxes. We also love the 'forever flowers'; Venus De Fleur is the original, but there are many price ranges of these types of flowers available now, even on Amazon."
How we chose the best gifts for hosts and hostesses
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there that would make great gifts for people who are always hosting. We use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Meet the experts
- Jessica Sloane is a creative director, professional event planner, designer and stylist.
- Philip Mitchell is an interior designer and founder of his namesake firm located on the east coast of Canada.
- Jessica Lagrange is a luxury interior designer and founder of Jessica Lagrange Interiors, a firm that specializes in creating spaces with a wide range of periods and pieces.
- Jamie Kutchman Wynne is the founder and CEO of Marigold & Grey, an artisan gifting business.
- Lindsay Roberts Schey is a lifestyle and gifting expert, and the founder of TheGiftInsider.com.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list including babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, seniors and more.
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