20 Fabulously Thoughtful Host Gifts
Convey your gratitude (and maybe earn repeat invitations) with these useful gifts that show your host you care
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
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It's that time of year — you'll be party hopping like crazy, and you'll need to bring a gift for the host. As long as your host enjoys wine, you can always stop on the way there for a bottle, but you'll make a more memorable impression with something that you've put some thought into. This can be tricky, as the trend today is to simplify and cut down on clutter. Try to find something your host will actually use and enjoy. As a bonus, one of the best gifts you can give your host is a last-minute text asking if a bag of ice is needed or if you can pick up any other last-minute items on the way.
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This little boxwood tree is a charming and useful gift that will first serve as a holiday decoration and can then be put out on a porch in its pot or transplanted in the garden.
by Williams-Sonoma
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One of the nicest things you can do for a dinner party host is help out with breakfast the next day. Bring a basket of muffins or these delicious croissants, or perhaps a gift certificate to a favorite breakfast joint.
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by birchbox.com
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| A scented candle is a time-tested gift. I chose this one because of its holiday look and its woodsy, wintery balsam and cedar scent. It lends a yummy fragrance to a home. |
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If your hosts have a wood-burning fireplace or an outdoor fire pit, they'll appreciate this premium kindling, which ignites a fire without paper.
by mistletoe.com
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You'll need to know your hosts well enough to know if they will think a festive sprig of mistletoe is a fun idea. While it's not an appropriate choice for a company party, it can add some smoochy fun to a casual neighborhood get-together.
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While it's presumptuous to buy a planner for an individual (it's a rather personal choice), a desktop calendar from Snow & Graham will help someone look forward to the first of each month, with its new illustration.
by kate spade
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Everyone could use a little inspiration. Give someone a nudge with a stylish notebook or journal to scribble ideas, to-dos or memories in.
by See Jane Work
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Ever since the launch of iTunes, personalized mix CDs have become a dying breed. It's ironic, because iTunes makes them such a snap to put together. Create a personalized mix for your party hosts and deliver it in this clear envelope.
by Urban Farmer
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If your hosts love to cook, provide fresh herbs for their recipes. Get them started by setting up the kit so that all they'll need to do is provide sunlight and water.
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One really cannot have too many wine stoppers, because when you have just one, you can't find it when you need it, or it's not enough when you've got more than one bottle going. Add a personal touch with a monogram.
by Williams-Sonoma
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Peppermint bark is one of those decadent treats most people won't splurge on for themselves; they'll simply hope someone will think to give it to them as a gift.
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One of the best ways for a gardener to get through the winter is by forcing bulbs indoors. Paperwhites are a holiday favorite, and this kit contains everything to get started.
by Paper Source
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Oprah says you should write down five things you are grateful for every night. Pass this tidbit along to your host when you pass him or her this gratitude journal.
by Martha Stewart
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It's hard to find the time for holiday baking. Provide your host with a recipe, cookbook or gift certificate for the appropriate baking app. Put that together with the ingredients and wrap everything in a pretty piece of fabric. If your hosts don't like to bake, make something yourself and give it as the gift.
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Buy some useful food containers the recipients will use every day. Fill the containers with snacks and treats your host can put out for family and guests over the holidays, like nuts, Chex Mix and coconut-covered bonbons (you can scoop these up at Trader Joe's for a song).
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If your hosts are bird lovers, give them a feeder and a bag of seeds. Another part of your gift should be helping them set it up and hang it in a good spot where they can view it from indoors.
by Anthropologie
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Bring a fun ornament to help your hosts trim the tree. If you're having trouble finding one, check out this list of ornaments for every type.
by Anthropologie
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You'll need to do a little recon for this next suggestion, a game. Whether it's bocce, cornhole, Scrabble, backgammon or Yahtzee, you'll need to pick a game your hosts don't already have and will enjoy.
If you're going to be a houseguest, be sneaky. Call first and say something like, "Hey, I thought it would be fun to bring some games for us to play together. Do you already have Monopoly? How do you feel about Yahtzee?" Then you can pick up the game that's missing from their collection.
If you're going to be a houseguest, be sneaky. Call first and say something like, "Hey, I thought it would be fun to bring some games for us to play together. Do you already have Monopoly? How do you feel about Yahtzee?" Then you can pick up the game that's missing from their collection.
by Anthropologie
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Soap is an old standby, but here's the thing: It's something most people don't tend to treat themselves to. Another gift-soap hurdle is that sometimes the wrapping is so beautiful that people don't want to actually tear it apart and use the soap itself. This floral soap comes wrapped in a lovely reusable fabric that takes care of that problem.
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This is a time of year when people send lots of thank-you notes. Choose or make cards you think will suit your host and, as a bonus, throw in a sheet of stamps.
Comments
Lanie Brown Okay, writing a gratitude list is not really Oprah's idea, but I'm grateful if she's making the practice popular. I also appreciate this idea book, Becky. Among many sweet suggestions, I like the thoughtful idea to include a sheet of stamps with personalized thank you notes. Happy Thanksgiving!
6 months ago · Like
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appytrails Eight notecards for $100? REALLY?
6 months ago · Like
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ce56385 The price on the notecards went up. According to the website, they're now $120. Doesn't include the paperweight.
6 months ago · Like
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tcufrog Hostess gifts don't have to be expensive. I like to buy cut glass plates on clearance (I just picked up a lot of them at Tuesday Morning for only $2.49 each) and put baked goods such as muffins or cookies on them. I keep a roll of clear cellophane gift basket wrap at home along with a couple of different wired ribbons for gift wrapping the plate. It all costs less than $5 since I usually bake using ingredients I have on hand, looks nice and they have a serving dish to use at their next event. I often do the same thing for secretaries and extra teachers such as art and music teachers at my sons' schools. If I want to add a little extra I include a $5-10 Starbucks gift card.
6 months ago · Like
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remodelyarrow Here is a question that is a variation on the above. I am in the middle of a large remodel with lots of different workers in and out. We are living in a small part of the house so I see people daily. I would love to hand out small gifts to everyone, but I have no good ideas of what to give these guys. I am without kitchen so my usualy fallback of baking is not an option.
6 months ago · Like
lkeh Take note of their choice of break food or morning coffee. Gift card them frequent stops
6 months ago · Like
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lkeh Better idea find out something about them and get something for their someones special (kids, girlfriend , etc.) Workers are people too !
6 months ago · Like
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Becky Harris I love the idea of baking - a friend of mine makes all kinds of fun goodies and bags them up for Christmas - I don't know if your kitchen is a mess from the remodel but I think taking the time to whip up something deelish for all the workers is a great gesture, no matter the time of year.
6 months ago · Like
gowharr32 You'll look at some of these sugestions differently after you read this blog about the Williams-Sonoma catalog. Very funny. The croissant were featured, but they were also praised in the comments as extraordinarily good. http://deadspin.com/5959212
6 months ago · Like
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Emery & Associates Interior Design Thank you, Becky, for jump-starting my holiday shopping! Great ideas!
6 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Nov. 19, 2012.
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