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If you love hosting as much as I do, you know it’s never about getting a “thank you.”
We clean, decorate, set the table, and cook (or order in!) because it’s our way of showing love and care.
When I open my home to friends and family, I never expect a hostess gift. But because I know all the work that goes into hosting, when I’m a guest, I love to show my appreciation with something thoughtful and practical.
It’s important to remember there’s a difference between bringing a contribution—like a bottle of wine or a side dish to share—and a gift that’s just for the host.
A hostess gift is a small gesture meant to say, “Thank you for welcoming us into your home.”
It doesn’t need to be extravagant—a simple bouquet from the grocery store or a lovely candle is always appreciated. But during the holiday season, I enjoy getting a little more creative.
Whether you’re heading to a laid-back evening with friends snacking around the kitchen island, a formal holiday dinner, or staying for a weekend getaway, I’ve got you covered.
Each year, I create a hostess gift guide to inspire you with ideas for every occasion. This year, I’m sharing it early so you have plenty of time to order and maybe even personalize your picks.
I’ve been publishing these Gift Guides for years and I think this is my best round up yet!
And be sure to get to the end of the list where I share a fantastic idea that I used as a teacher gift last year that was the biggest hit ever.
Thoughtful Hostess Gifts Starting at Under $20
Ice Bucket
Ice Bucket
Mark & Graham
$29.99This ice bucket from Mark and Graham is SUCH a find!
On sale for $29, made of heavy plastic, so you can use it indoors or out with an option to have it personalized – and, how could you not?
Fill it with some cellophane and a bottle of champagne or your hosts favorite wine, add a bow, and you’re done.
Cheese Board an Knife Set
Boska Amigo Round Wood Cheese Board and Knife Set
Crate & Barrel
$29.99As a host known for her cheese boards I’ll tell you that you can never have too many, and this smaller size is ideal for more intimate gathering or for a date night on the sofa with some wine and a movie.
Aged Balsamic Vinegar
Aged Balsamic Vinegar
William Sonoma
$33.00For a real foodie hostess, a beautiful bottle of aged balsamic is an incredible gesture.
They can drizzle it over salad, cheese or have on the table for bread.
I recently picked this bottle up from William Sonoma and it’s delicious.
Wrap in a tea towel, I keep these neutral towels in our gift wrap closet, and frequently grab one to wrap bottles in.
Add a bow and an ornament for decoration and you’ll look like a rockstar.
Good Olive Oil
Alive
Brightland
$37.00Another option for a foodie host is good olive oil.
Not something from the grocery store, but a special bottle, that they can use all season long.
One of the brands I love is Brightland, a California based brand, producing local, clean and delicious oils and vinegars.
Bonus points that the packaging is beautiful.
Peppermint Bark
Peppermint Bark
William Sonoma
$29.95I buy my bodyweight in Peppermint Bark from William Sonoma every year. It’s so delicious and perfect to have on hand for quick gift.
Bring a tin to your next gathering, and let the host decide how to enjoy it.
It’s versatile enough to be opened immediately and added to the dessert table or saved for a well-earned treat after the guests have gone home. Either way, it’s a festive and thoughtful gesture that’s always a hit.
Thymes Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle
Thymes Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle
Amazon
$34.00The Thymes Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle is on all of my gift guides because it’s that good and everyone goes nuts over it.
Bring it along all season to gatherings and your host will be truly delighted, and they’l light is every day until it burns out even if that is a little after the New Year.
Brass Monkey Misunderstood Songs
Brass Monkey Misunderstood Songs
Amazon
$18.50Having a stack of conversation starters out can be a fun way to get things going when you’re bringing different groups of friends together. And I love this box set from Brass Monkey of “Misunderstood Songs” which makes you compete with your friends to identify popular songs from the most entertainingly incorrect lyrics possible. And it’s under $20.
Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
Aesop
$41.00Listen, I know $40 is an absurd amount of money to spend on hand soap, but the scent is divine.
I have this in my guest bathroom, and even my kid’s friends comment on how wonderful it smells.
It’s a thoughtful hostess gift if you’re looking for something a bit bougie.
Be sure to order the version with the pump since the packaging is chic on it’s own.
Vase (and Flowers)
Rifle Paper Co. Estee Porcelain Vase
The Container Store
$29.99Grocery store flowers, especially from Trader Joes are lovely and thoughtful. But don’t give your host stems still wrapped in plastic, it’s too much work to have to stop as guests are arriving and arrange flowers.
Instead, pick up an inexpensive but pretty vase and do it for them. I love this one from Rifle Paper Co. on sale at The Container Store. But you can find beautiful options at Home Goods or even thrift stores.
Market Tote
I find this Market Tote from William Sonoma to be so stinking chic I can’t stand it. It’s $50 – which is spendy. I know. I did find similar style on Amazon for $25. Do with this information what you like.
I would get a tote and make a breakfast the next day gift, good orange juice, some muffins, fancy jam – whatever the hosting family would enjoy so they don’t have to lift a finger the next day.
Market Tote
William Sonoma
$49.00Cuisinart Vacuum Sealer Cordless Wine Opener
This Vacuum Sealer Cordless Wine Opener from Cuisinart is my new favorite gadget.
It sits out on my bar cart and makes it super easy for guests to open a new bottle as the night goes on. Plus, IF there is any wine left over you can seal it back up.
Makes a help and generous gift for a host.
Cuisinart Vacuum Sealer Cordless Wine Opener
Wayfair
$39.99A DoorDash Dinner
This is my favorite idea, maybe ever.
Pick up a DoorDash Gift Card and some pretty paper products for a “Dinner on Us” gift.
I actually did this for Viv’s preschool teachers last year, I gave them each gift card to DoorDash (enough for at least one really nice dinner for their family) a pretty paper plate and napkin set and bottle of bubbly (I knew it was ok to give them alcohol) and they LOVED it.
So steal this idea for those hard working teachers or for whoever is doing a big hosting job this season.
DoorDash Dinner
William Sonoma
NARelated: Great Gifts for the Office Under $50
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