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f 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 because it’s how we show love.
When I open my home to friends and family, I never expect a host gift. But as a guest, I know how much work goes into making a night feel warm and welcoming, so I like to bring something thoughtful and practical to show my appreciation.
It’s also worth remembering that there’s a difference between bringing a contribution, like a bottle of wine or a dish to share, and a gift that’s just for the host. A host gift is a small gesture that simply says, thank you for having us.
It never needs to be extravagant. A pretty grocery store bouquet or a great candle is always appreciated. But during the holidays, when hosting takes even more time, energy, and planning, I like to get a little more creative.
So whether you’re heading to a casual night of snacks around the kitchen island, a formal holiday dinner, or a weekend stay with friends, I have ideas that will feel special without being over the top.
I’ve been publishing these gift guides for years, and I truly think this is my best one yet.
Thoughtful Hosting Gifts Starting at Under $20
Ice Bucket
This ice bucket from Mark and Graham is such a good find. It’s on sale, made of a heavy, durable plastic you can use indoors or outside, and you can personalize it, which makes the whole gift feel thoughtful without spending a lot.
I love giving this filled with a little cellophane, a bottle of champagne or your host’s favorite wine, and a simple ribbon. It looks more expensive than it is, it’s practical, and they’ll use it all season long.
Available at Mark and Graham, $29
Cheese Board an Knife Set
This Boska Amigo cheese board and knife set is a fantastic find and currently on clearance for about twenty-nine dollars. As someone known for her cheese boards, I can tell you that you can never have too many. This smaller size is perfect for an intimate gathering or a cozy date night on the sofa with some wine and a good movie.
I first found this at Crate and Barrel last year while browsing host gifts, and then discovered it for even less at Walmart. It’s a good reminder that doing a quick Google search before you check out can save you a few dollars, especially during the holidays.
Aged Balsamic Vinegar
For a true foodie host, a beautiful bottle of aged balsamic is an incredible gesture. They can drizzle it over salads, pair it with cheese, or serve it with warm bread at the table. It’s one of those gifts that feels special and gets used over and over.
I recently picked up this bottle from Williams Sonoma and it is delicious. I like to wrap bottles like this in a simple tea towel. I keep a stack of neutral towels in our gift wrap closet and reach for one anytime I need to wrap a bottle. Add a ribbon and a small ornament and it looks like you went all out.
Available at Williams Sonoma, $32.00
Good Olive Oil
Another great option for a foodie host is a really good olive oil. Not the everyday bottle from the grocery store, but something special they can use all season long.
One of my favorite brands is Brightland, a California-based company that makes clean, delicious oils and vinegars. Their olive oil tastes incredible, and the packaging is so beautiful it feels like a gift the moment you hand it over.
Brightland ALIVE Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $37
Peppermint Bark
I buy my bodyweight in Peppermint Bark from Williams Sonoma every year. It’s so delicious and perfect to keep on hand for quick gifts.
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 once everyone has gone home. Either way, it’s festive, thoughtful, and always a hit.
Available at Williams Sonoma, $34.95 – 1lb
Thymes Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle
The Thymes Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle is on all of my gift guides because it is that good and everyone goes nuts over it. The scent is classic, clean, and instantly makes a home feel festive.
Bring it to any gathering this season and your host will be genuinely delighted. Most people end up lighting it every day until it burns down, even if that’s a little after the New Year.
Available at Thymes.
Brass Monkey Misunderstood Movies
Having a few conversation starters out is such a fun way to get things going, especially when you’re mixing different groups of friends. I love this game from Brass Monkey. It’s a box of “poorly explained” movie descriptions, and you compete to guess the film based on the most hilariously incorrect clues possible.
It’s easy to play, great for a crowd, and always gets people laughing. Plus, it’s under twenty dollars, which makes it an easy, low-pressure host gift.
Aesop Aromatique Hand Wash
Listen, I know forty dollars is an absurd amount of money to spend on hand soap, but the scent is divine. I keep this in our guest bathroom, and even my kids’ friends comment on how good it smells.
It’s a thoughtful host gift when you want something a little bougie but still practical. Just be sure to order the version with the pump. The packaging is chic on its own and looks beautiful next to any sink.
Vase (and Flowers)
Grocery store flowers, especially from Trader Joe’s, are always a lovely and thoughtful gift. But try not to hand your host a bunch of stems still wrapped in plastic. It’s a lot of work for them to stop what they’re doing, unwrap everything, and arrange flowers while guests are arriving.
Instead, pick up an inexpensive but pretty vase and do it for them. I love this one from Rifle Paper Co., but you can find beautiful options at HomeGoods or even a thrift store. It turns a simple gesture into something that feels intentional and polished.
Market Tote
I find this Market Tote from Williams Sonoma to be so stinking chic I can’t stand it. It’s fifty dollars, which is definitely spendy, I know. I did find a similar style on Amazon for much less, so do with that information what you like.
What I love about gifting a tote is filling it with a few breakfast essentials for the next morning. Think good orange juice, fresh muffins, fancy jam, or whatever the hosting family would enjoy. After a long night of hosting, it’s such a treat to wake up and not have to lift a finger.
Cuisinart Vacuum Sealer Cordless Wine Opener
This cordless wine opener from Cuisinart is my new favorite gadget. It sits out on my bar cart and makes it so easy for guests to open a new bottle as the night goes on. And if there happens to be any wine left over, you can seal it right back up.
It’s a helpful and generous gift for any host, especially during the holidays when there is always another bottle to open.
A DoorDash Dinner
This might be my favorite idea ever.
Pick up a DoorDash gift card and pair it with some pretty paper products for a “Dinner on Us” gift.
I actually did this for Viv’s preschool teachers last year. I gave each of them a DoorDash gift card with enough for at least one really nice dinner for their family, a pretty paper plate and napkin set, and a bottle of bubbly. I knew they were fine with alcohol, and they loved it.
Steal this idea for those hardworking teachers in your life or for anyone doing a big hosting job this season. After a full day of cooking for everyone else, giving them the night off is a gift they will truly appreciate.
Available at DoorDash and most major retailers.
Related: Great Gifts for the Office Under $50
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