Whether you're a guest at a dinner party, housewarming or friendly get together, nothing says "thank you for having me" more than showing up with a thoughtful and practical hostess gift. If you're stumped on what to get the host(ess) with the mostest, we asked experts and editors for picks that'll 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.
Spoiler alert: You may want to keep some 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 gift and receive.
"This has been a go-to gift for my friends and I since college-whether we’re celebrating our first college apartments to our first big girl apartments post-grad, it’s been so fun to personalize their favorite bottle of wine with our favorite photo together. I have two myself and they’ve both been such fun gifts 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.”
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.
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 the recipient.
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.
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.
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.
This mini bowl set is sure to awe the host that's obsessed with small, kitschy decor. I [Hoeger] personally recommend these. I’ve had these small dishes since I moved into my college dorm seven years ago and they’re still in my arsenal. They’re great for my nightly sweet treats, spreads on charcuterie boards and when mixing seasonings together for meals.
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.
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!).
"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 my go-to non-alcoholic beverage," says partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison. "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."
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.
These chocolate bars are almost as beautiful as they are delicious, and they’re one of deals editor Rebecca Brown’s favorite things to give. “People expect to unbox a bar of chocolate. It’s fun to see their faces when they discover each bar of chocolate has dried fruits and sometimes even flowers on them.”
Any standout host deserves a piece just as special as they are. If I [Hoeger] was treating myself to a gift, it would definitely be one of these cutting boards. I spotted these first at Big Night in the West Village [in New York City] and have been obsessing over them ever since. Not only is it a kitchen tool, but it would also look cute if left out.
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Award-Winning Stocking StuffersBest hostess gifts for parties
There’s nothing worse than dunking your chip in some lukewarm dip that’s meant to be served cold because it was brought in a plastic container. This double-walled, vacuum-insulated bowl will help them ensure that’ll never happen again. According to the brand, it keep food cold for 4+ hours with no ice or keep food hot for 3+ hours. It also comes in larger three-quart sizes.
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."
This beautifully curated box of everything you need for the perfect Italian kitchen staples. "I have been gifted (and have gifted) a few of the Giadzy pasta boxes and they are always a hit," says associate editor Allie Wise. "The presentation is stunning, the pasta is delicious and it’s an affordable price."
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).
"I think this would be a great gift for someone hosting in a new home or space," says social media editorial assistant 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 will give them the best of every world. It pairs a fresh bouquet from The Bouqs with a Lego set that looks the same. This way, they can have flowers on display long after the fresh ones are gone. This is perfect for someone like me [Stewart-Jackson] who loves fresh flowers but doesn't have the greenest of thumbs.
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 Great Jones and Fellow will not only serve a utilitarian purpose but surprise and delight with its crowd-pleasing colors (blueberry, mustard and raspberry).
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.
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.
