19 Best Hostess Gifts for Every Occasion—and Budget
Updated: Sep. 22, 2023
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The best hostess gifts express your gratitude for the amount of work that goes into planning a group get-together. Showing up empty-handed is bad form, but don’t reach for the bottle of wine or flowers just yet. You can get more inventive than that with the help of this comprehensive guide to hostess gifts.
We rounded up hostess gift ideas anyone will love, even those impossible to shop for people. Whether you’re hunting for gifts for her, gifts for him or personalized gifts, you’ll find something that says, “thanks for the invite.”
Bonus: Most double as thoughtful housewarming gifts too. And because you want to show your thanks without breaking the bank, we’ve highlighted gift ideas for any budget, from throw blankets to stylish alternatives to scented candles and beyond.
For happy hour hosts: Bamboo Cheese Board Set
Skip the boring snacks and bring this beautiful bamboo cheese board set. It’s a wow-worthy addition to any wine-and-cheese gathering—and one of the best hostess gifts that’s also budget-friendly. There’s a slide-out tray with slicing tools, and built-in compartments and grooves for pretzels, fruit and other yummies so good, guest may just forget their table manners. It’s a fast-shipping Amazon Prime gift, so scoop this one up for last-minute invitations.
For the aspiring chef: Our Place Always Pan 2.0
The Our Place Always Pan 2.0 is one of the best frying pans we’ve ever met. It’s a do-it-all cookware staple that takes all the best recipes and gives them the TLC of non-toxic stick-free ceramic and high style. We think it makes one of the best hostess gifts ever thanks to the expanded color range and easy cleanup. The likelihood that any good host will proudly use it for years to come makes it a shoo-in for best-gift-ever territory.
For brunch buffs: Wildgrain Baked Goods Box
If fresh, hot bread and pastries sound appealing, this mouth-watering Wildgrain box is sure to be a hit. Brimming with patisserie-quality items like croissants and sourdough loaves, it’s hard to decide which item is best. Each no-commitment subscription box contains enough baked joy to feed a crowd.
These freezer-to-table wonders are ready in just 25 minutes. No thawing necessary—just unwrap, pop them in the oven and serve. They take the guesswork out of the next morning’s breakfast for overnight guests too. Just don’t forget table etiquette before chowing down.
For the mixologist: “Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist”
If making drinks is the host’s specialty, they’ll truly appreciate the literary wordplay of this cocktail recipe book. With unique names such as “Drankenstein”, “Lord of the Mai-Tais” and “The Last of the Mojitos”, this would be an excellent book to serve up a couple of fun drinks at their next party or to keep on the bar cart on display so they feel like a real bartender.
For luxury lovers: Quince Ribbed Cashmere Throw
This ultra-soft Quince cashmere throw is one of the best throw blanket options ever thanks to its 100% real cashmere. The budget-friendly price makes it one of the best hostess gifts, and a front-runner for everyone’s holiday wish lists. While you’re shopping, pick up the brand’s top-selling, affordable cashmere sweater.
For the one who needs a break: Brooklyn Candle Studio Catskills Reed Diffuser
Escape the chaos and noise of being the hostess with the mostest—even if just for a few minutes—with this diffuser. The uplifting, vacation-worthy scent of this Brooklyn Candle Studio diffuser is enough to set anyone’s mind at ease. It strikes the right balance between minimalist design and fancy room perfume. If you really want to soothe the host’s soul, try adding a best-selling scented candle to the gift package.
For anyone who needs help winding down: Cleverfy Shower Steamers
Hey, being a dinner party host is a lot of work. These aromatherapy-focused Cleverfy shower steamers come as a packaged gift set perfect for encouraging a little bit of zen. Available in sets of six, 12 or 18 steamers, these soothing home spa products are fun to give on their own or bundled with other self-care gifts.
I got this one year for Christmas and I wish I’d get it every year. I don’t have a bathtub, sadly, so I haven’t been able to use bath bombs. Having an option for showers has immediately improved my shower experience to nothing short of a luxurious spa visit.
For florals fans: The Bouqs French Linen Bouquet
Crispy, neutral hues make this appealing bouquet from The Bouqs a popular hit. You’ll love it for the classic, luxurious-looking punch that it packs for an under-$60 price. It delivers right to their door to lighten your load and comes with gorgeous white and cream shades guaranteed to make the host feel fancy.
The company made our list of the best online flower delivery services, so you know these blooms will arrive in tip-top shape. These gorgeous flowers are almost guaranteed to produce an invitation to their next get-together.
For the long-term hostess: Brooklinen Towel Bundle
If the hostess is taking you in as a houseguest for more than a few days, a bigger gift is certainly necessary. This Brooklinen towel bundle is a perfect way to lighten their laundry load, restock a favorite household item and leave something valuable behind. Made of ultra-soft Turkish cotton, this set will be put to good use over and over again, even when the house is empty. These plush bathroom essentials are sure to be well-received, especially if you gift them to college students.
For the olive oil aficionado: The Artist Capsule
Some people just really love olive oil, and if the host is one of them, the Artist Capsule from Brightland is the perfect gift. This set includes four artisanal, infused, cold-pressed olive oils. Included are the Ardor Chili Olive Oil, Rosette Garlic Olive Oil, Lucid Lemon Olive Oil and Arise Basil Olive Oil. Dinners at their house are about to get more delicious and fancier, making you want to take an etiquette class just to play the part.
For anyone standing on their feet all day: Mise Standard Kitchen Shoes
These gender-neutral, supportive Mise shoes were designed with pro chefs in mind to offer cushioned comfort that feels more like a slipper than anything else. They’re the best hostess gifts for anyone who stands for hours on end preparing meals and hosting loved ones. A unique, removable insole makes them easy to clean. Plus, durable bottoms make them ideal walking shoes too.
For the one with nice furniture: Gilded Agate Coaster
These gorgeous coasters will not only make a statement in their home but will keep their beautiful furniture safe from water rings when people come over for dinner and drinks. There are six stunning colors to choose from, each one a different gemstone such as Rose Quartz, Aventurine, Amethyst and Agate. Now the host won’t count down the minutes until everyone leaves the party so they can clean their coffee table.
For women who prize self-care: Cozy Earth Bamboo Kimono Robe
Whether you’re encouraging her to wake up late on the weekend or just hoping she’ll make time to cozy up in peace, this Cozy Earth robe is an absolute dream. She’ll love wearing it over her best pajamas and settling down next to the fireplace. It features stretch-knit bamboo viscose that makes sizing easy to decipher and machine-washing a cinch.
For home chefs: Room Essentials Kitchen Textile Set
If you’re working with a tight budget but still want to bring something incredibly useful, gift-giving doesn’t have to be difficult. This seven-piece kitchen set from Target’s in-house Room Essentials brand is sure to please. It rings in at just $12 and boasts two matching kitchen towels, two dishcloths, two pot holders and one oven mitt.
For microwave mavens: Anyday The Starter Set
Not every host is a master chef at a restaurant. Show appreciation for your microwave-loving hostess with this beautiful Anyday dish set made of frosted borosilicate glass. It comes with the perfect deep and shallow dishes to cover all cooking and reheating needs. Consider this one of the best hostess gifts for anyone who wants to make delicious food for guests, but is still learning.
For the one whose heart is in France: Williams Sonoma Tour de France Gift Crate
Take a tour around France with this Williams Sonoma Gift Crate. Your host will appreciate the high-quality items such as silky, delicate fruitwood-smoked salmon, Brillat Savarin cheese, pork paté, trout roe and French blinis so good, you may forget to keep your elbows off the table while devouring this treat. The second the host sees this gift, they’ll be shouting “ooh-la-la, c’est magnifique.” This is also a fantastic choice for the next potluck party.
For winos: PureWine The Wand Purifier
Hostesses who are prone to overindulging will love these handy PureWine sticks, which may lessen next-day hangovers. They’re one of the best gifts for wine lovers who get headaches from wine. The company claims the sticks remove histamines and sulfites, which prompt brain aches. They’re cheap, only require a quick stir and come eight to a pack for parties.
For chocoholics: Seattle Chocolate Jcoco Tasting Experience Box
This brightly-hued Seattle Chocolate Jcoco gift box of high-end chocolates is sure to get you invited back. It features five 3-ounce chocolate bars, plus a flavor wheel to guide tasters through each bite with all five senses. Even though it makes for one of the best hostess gifts, it also makes one of the sweetest teacher gifts for educators putting in overtime.
For the hostess sending you home with leftovers: Member’s Mark Food Storage Set
This Member’s Mark 24-piece glass food storage set is one of the best hostess gifts any practical person will appreciate, and it’s just polite for a guest to do considering all the work the host puts into making dinner. The all-natural, durable glass construction is leakproof and dishwasher-safe. It also comes with BPA-free plastic snap lids that venture between the freezer and oven with ease. Shatter-resistant glass at such an affordable price is hard to come by, so you should probably pick up an extra set for yourself while you’re at it.
Additional reporting by Bryce Gruber.
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