The Best Host and Hostess Gifts Our Editors Love to Give

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Composite of host gifts — Photo:
Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, The Sill, Crate & Barrel

Whether it's a Friday night dinner or a holiday soirée, it's good etiquette to bring your host a gift. And while his or her go-to bottle of wine is always appreciated, it's fun to get a little creative with your gift selection. Your host is a natural entertainer, one who is not just the source of the party but the heartbeat of it, too.

For example, you could try entertaining-focused gifts they can use at their next event (think embroidered napkins or a stunning cake stand) or elevated presents to pull out after the party has ended (like a sophisticated scented candle or piece of home decor). Any of these thoughtful gifts will delight and serve as a token of your gratitude.

Anthropologie Fluted Taper Candles

multiple colored, fluted tapered candles on a grey background — Courtesy of Anthropologie

Tall, statement-making taper candles add a sophisticated touch to any table or mantel, and your host will love that these candles feature an elegant fluted design.

Buy on Anthropologie $30

Tuckernuck Home Cream and Rattan Beaded Napkin Ring Set

3 Rattan Beaded Napkin Rings on a green background — Courtesy of Tuckernuck

This set of four stylish napkin rings will add an elevated flair to your host's arsenal of entertaining essentials. The neutral colors fit with most aesthetics, and the beading adds a touch of whimsey.

Buy on Tnuck.com $48

Williams-Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark

red tin of peppermint bark on a pink background — Courtesy of

A tin of beautifully packaged peppermint bark is almost always well-received. The popular host gift from Williams-Sonoma is made from custom-blended Guittard chocolate and double-distilled peppermint oil.

Buy on Williams-Sonoma $30

Ten Thousand Villages Bowl of Berries Colander

How darling is this handcrafted colander for berries? Made in Nepal by fairly-paid artisans, it’s the perfect size for cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and more.

Buy on Tenthousandvillages.com $45

Martha Stewart Lots of Lemons Napkin Set

These cheery lemon napkins will bring a smile to any host's face. The durable cotton fabric is colorfast and made to last for years to come.

Buy on Amazon $15

The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Cocktails

With a whopping 10,000 reviews on Amazon and a near-perfect rating, this cocktail book is a safe bet for hosts with home bars. It’s beautifully bound and chock-full of recipes, tips, and more.

Buy on Amazon $15

Misaky Tokyo Gem Box 5-Piece Crystal Candy Gift Box

When trying to decide what gift to get a hostess, you can’t go wrong with a box of gourmet candy. This playful box from Misaky Tokyo features the brand’s famous sugar candies that look like real crystals.

Buy on Amazon $45

Quinn Handcrafted Stoneware Pitcher

One can never have too many pitchers. They’re great for serving beverages, holding flowers, and sitting there pretty, just waiting to be admired. This stoneware design from Quinn fits into many design schemes.

Buy on Pottery Barn $35

Grounds and Hounds Rescue Roast Coffee

The aromatic scent of coffee—and that soft, smooth taste—will definitely be a gift your host appreciates. As a bonus, 100 percent of all profits generated by Rescue Roast Blend are donated to a new pet rescue organization each month.

Buy on Groundsandhoundscoffee.com $16

Food52 Gingham Linen Double Oven Mitt

Arm your host with this double oven mitt, and they'll never experience a sheet-pan-dinner-induced wrist burn ever again. Plus, the yellow gingham piece looks particularly cheerful when hooked over an oven door handle.

Buy on Food52 $30

The Sill Olive Tree

Flowers are a perfect pick when walking into a host’s home, but why not switch things up a bit with a plant? This gorgeous olive tree from The Sill comes in an earthy pot available in black, cream, blue, green, and stone white.

Buy on Thesill.com $68

Uncommon Goods Shortbread Heart Baking Pan

For the host who bakes with their whole heart, this romantic shortbread baking pan is a must. Each slice of dessert is printed with a heart encasing a wildflower.

Buy on Uncommon Goods $36

Hawkins New York Brass Soap Stand

Hawkins New York Soap Stand — Courtesy of Hawkins New York

Take the soap bar in your host's guest bathroom to new heights with this brass holder, which works across multiple design aesthetics.

Buy on Hawkinsnewyork.com $18

Joanna Buchanan Gold Trim Dinner Napkins (2)

This sophisticated duet of hand towels from Joanna Buchanan adds the perfect touch to any dinner for two. Along with duck blue, the brand has many other colors to choose from.

Buy on Joannabuchanan.com $54

Uncommon Goods All About the Sauce Sampler Set

Sauces are a cook’s best friend, and when they’re already whipped up to perfection it makes preparing meals that much easier. This five-piece set includes a hot dijon burger sauce, aji limon pepper sauce, sweet heat BBQ sauce, mango jalapeno sauce, and sweet hot sauce.

Buy on Uncommon Goods $50

Dear Annabelle Superlative Place Cards

At your host's next dinner party, expect to sit down and find "Best Gift Giver" on your superlative place card.

Buy on Dearannabelle.com $60

Boska Amigo Round Wood Cheese Board and Knife Set

Is any house party complete without at least a few choice cheeses to cut into? We argue no, and this beechwood cheese board and knife set from Boska makes for a lovely presentation.

Buy on Crate & Barrel $40

Le Marche Tuscan Salt and Pepper Bowl with Gold Spoon

Pair that fancy salt with a one-of-a-kind cellar—though this marble piece (which comes with a golden spoon for oven- or table-side seasoning) is suited for fresh black pepper, too.

$30, burkedecor.com $32

Williams Sonoma Marble Wine Chiller

Give their bar cart an upgrade with this sleek marble wine chiller that looks as good empty as it does doing its job.

Buy on Williams-Sonoma $68

Aesop Aromatique Room Spray

Infuse your host's home with notes of geranium, incense, and patchouli by way of this room spray; the fragrance lasts for hours.

Buy on Nordstrom $58

Ban.Do Tipsy Turvy Bar Glass Set

These picture-perfect, playful cocktail glasses make imbibing way more fun. they're made from glass and are perfect for everything from mimosas to spritzers.

Buy on Bando.com $33

Brass Monkey Incredibly Pointless Trivia

Show up with this fun trivia game, and you might just be the life of the party. The deck includes 200 trivia questions and is meant to slightly mislead you on the answer.

Buy on Amazon $17

18 Chestnuts Plant Based Soup Trio

No time to whip up some homemade soup to bring to your party host? Opt for the next best thing. This gourmet trio from 18 Chestnuts includes Carrot Ginger Dill, Tuscan Tomato, and Butternut Squash Pear Soup—all packaged in tall slender jars.

Buy on Amazon $44

Skeem Glass Match Cloche with Striker

If your host is a candle lover, there’s a good chance they’ve already got a nice stash to work from. Consider, instead, this gorgeous cloche for their matches.

Buy on Amazon $38

Leaves of Leisure The Four Seasons Tea Bundle

This delicious tea set from Leaves of Leisure includes a batch of teas for every season: Autumn Breeze, Snow Angel, Picnic in the Park, and Sun Soaked. Each includes 15 tea bags housed in a beautifully illustrated, durable paper container.

Buy on Leavesofleisure.com $61

Big Picture Farm Caramels Silver Goat Gift Box

Tasty salted caramels in a lovely box is a great gift for any host. This award-winning set from Big Picture Farm is made in small batches on a family-owned-and-operated goat dairy in Vermont.

Buy on Anthropologie $35

De Soi Golden Hour Sparkling, Alcohol-Free Beverage

A nice bottle of wine is a traditional gift for hosts, but with the rise in the sober-curious trend, more people are enjoying alcohol-free drinks. Consider walking in with this zero-proof, botanical sparkling beverage.

Buy on Amazon $25

Graza Extra Virgin Olive Oil "The Gift Set"

A gorgeous olive oil gift set is one your giftee will reach for over and over again—especially if it’s a high-quality version like this one from Graza. The set comes with a cooking and drizzle-worthy extra virgin olive oil.

Buy on Graza.co $42

Icelandic Elements Sea Salt Collection

Salt is a must for everything you do in the kitchen—eggs, vegetables, meats, casseroles, and even desserts. This beautiful quartet from Icelandic Elements features four salts from the island, including Birch Smoked, Arctic Thyme, Flaky Sea Salt, and Lava Salt.

Buy on Uncommon Goods $44

Harry & David Snack Lovers Gift Box

You’ll be well-greeted when your host opens up the door seeing you holding a yummy snack box. Caramel popcorn, sausages, cheese, nuts, and mixed nuts is included in this set from Harry & David.

Buy on Harry & David $45

FinaMill Battery-Operated Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder

This fancy pepper and spice grinder has been making the waves on social media, largely because it makes cooking and seasoning easier and more fun. It uniquely allows you to swap and grind different spices with just one hand.

Buy on Amazon $53

Hotel Lobby Candle

Candles are a great host gift, but picking the perfect scent can be a little tricky since everyone has their own preferences. One inspired by a high-end hotel lobby, however, is bound to satisfy all tastes.

Buy on Neiman Marcus $56

K+M Extravirgin Milk Chocolate Ecuador, 2 Pack

Gourmet chocolate? It’s a yes no matter who’s hosting. This two-pack from K+M is made with extra virgin olive oil, has a smooth rich flavor, and is packaged beautifully. Just wrap a bow around it, and you’re golden.

Buy on Amazon $35

Pure Enrichment PureGlow Crystal Himalayan Salt Lamp and Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser

Here’s a simple way to add a dollop of ambience to your giftee’s space. This two-in-one diffuser features beautiful himalayan salt at the bottom that softly glows while emitting a fine mist of fragrance.

Buy on Amazon $78

FEBU Swedish Dishcloths

These reusable—and compostable!—dish towels look way nicer than any paper towel roll ever could.

Buy on Amazon $12

Grown Alchemist Hand Wash in Sweet Orange, Cedarwood, Sage

This gentle hand wash is the perfect gift for the host who appreciates
an aesthetically pleasing bathroom. The sleek bottle looks great next to
the sink, and the formula—a blend of sweet orange, cedarwood, and
sage—will have users' hands smelling fresh and feeling clean.

Buy on Grownalchemist.com $39

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