50 Unique Host and Hostess Gifts to Commemorate Any Occasion
Show your appreciation, whether you're attending a dinner party, Christmas celebration or baby shower.
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No matter the occasion, it's never ideal to show up to someone's house empty-handed — even if your party host swears they've got everything covered. Providing your host or hostess with a small token of appreciation goes a long way (and likely ensures you'll score an invite next year, too). To help you impress your favorite host or hostess, we've compiled this roundup of the best hostess gifts you can give in 2023.
From dinner parties, game nights and housewarmings to annual holidays (think Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas breakfast), it's difficult to find an appropriate gift to say thank you. Luckily, we've included ideas for every budget and plenty of last-minute finds. Keep it simple with an inexpensive gift under $20 — think candles, coasters or recipe books, or splurge on a luxury find — hint: colorful glassware sets that elevate their tabletop.
As you scroll, shop creative finds that make cooking, decorating and cleaning much easier for them — think a cake stand, oven mitts and bread warming blanket — all of which double as brilliant housewarming gifts. Other gift ideas, like a luxury scented candle or monogrammed napkin rings (for $1!), easily add a special touch to any gathering. And if your hostess put you charge of appetizers, desserts or charcuterie, we've sprinkled in a few food gift ideas the whole party will love.
She'll think you picked up this multi-colored olive oil or vinegar pourer on your latest trip to Greece ... until she realizes that you never went in the first place. Either way, she'll think of you each time she dresses her meats, veggies and salads.
Even the best party hosts can find themselves scrambling to get their home in order before guests arrive — and that includes stocking up on soap in the bathroom. Help them out by gifting them this set of beautiful soaps in the shape of flowers.
Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
If your hostess has a knack for bartending, Tequlia Mockingbird will add a few literary-themed cocktails to their repetitore. The book includes 65 drink recipes, plus bar bites, drinking games and whimsical illustrations throughout.
To pair with that bottle of bubbly, gift her this elegant white marble wine chiller. Advise her to stick it in the fridge a few hours before party time, and guests will never complain about room temp wine.
This minimalist candle melter — available in white, black and pink — provides all the function of a wicked candle, without the smoky smell. It includes a built-in dimmer switch to adjust the brightness and is large enough to fit most candles (even Yankee Candle's large jar).
RELATED: Best Candle Warmers for a Cozy Feel Without the Flame
Allowing them to cook with ease, this convenient stand will prop up cookbooks, tablets or magazines (like the latest issue of Good Housekeeping). It's designed to resemble a stylish cutting board, so it'll pair seamlessly with their modern kitchen aesthetic.
Turn your next dinner party into a lively game night by gifting the hostess an addicting and easy-to-learn game. Up to eight players can get involved by filling in the blanks on a dry-erase slate, trying their best to match other players.
Just one of these quartz, amethyst or colored agate coasters will dress up her space. And since it'll prevent dreaded water rings and stains, they're every party host's dream.
Bee Harmony Mini Honey Gift Set
These honey varieties — American clover, wildflower, orange blossom and berry — are a winning combo with tea, cheese and toast.
La Chatelaine Hand Cream Trio Tin Gift Set
After all the cooking and cleaning, she deserves some quality R&R. All three of these creams are made with a high concentration of shea butter, vitamin E and argan oil, which means they'll rejuvenate dry, tired hands.
Available in small and medium sizes, these ceramic vases showcase a dainty floral motif. They can fill one of with their favorite blooms to give the tablescape an extra pop of color.
You know how when you try to slice the gouda on your own, you end up with 20 different sizes — some thick, some thin? This real marble slicer will cut the same size time and time again.
If she's always got a collection of scented candles burning, this rechargeable electric lighter will make her party prep easier. The affordable tool has over 30,000 five-star reviews and is available in a variety of colors.
This oven mitt, featuring a field of flowers, makes a gorgeous addition to her kitchen, plus it's incredibly functional. Designed by French artist Nathalie Lete, this floral collection also includes an apron and dish towels in a matching print.
Imagine how much your favorite host will love setting the dinner table with these personalized wooden napkin rings. While you can obviously opt to use their family name, feel free to have fun with the text you choose, too. Go with their nickname, an inside joke, a word that's appropriate for the season, you name it.
There's nothing like serving warm, freshly baked bread at a dinner party. This nifty blanket has a removable pack, which is designed to be heated in the microwave to keep her loaf at just the right temperature. Guests will never know the bread didn't just come right out of the oven!
The only thing better than vanilla-flavored shortbread cookies are made-to-order ones customized with a sweet message for your host.
Cozier than your average throw, this machine washable blanket is reversible and available in over two dozen colors. GH testers raved about Bedsure's fleece material saying it was "impressively soft" and our textile experts point out that the huge 108" x 90" size is ideal for sharing.
Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment
Arrive with delicious treats in hand, or more specifically this set of assorted cookies from Levain Bakery. Your host will love sampling all the flavors: Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip.
Rated the best overall French press by The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, this budget-friendly pick brews a well-rounded cup of coffee. Its chrome frame looks modern and stylish, plus provides an insulation layer to keep coffee warm.
RELATED: Best French Press Coffee Makers, According to Testing
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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