20 Fabulously Thoughtful Host Gifts
by Becky Harris · 20 photos · 10 comments
Boxwood Tree - $24.00 [ Link ]
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 West Elm
Croissants, Set of 15 - $39.95 [ Link ]
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.
by Williams-Sonoma
Illume Mini Holiday Tin - $25.00 [ Link ]
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.
by birchbox.com
Fatwood Sack of Kindling Sticks, 15 Pounds - $24.95 [ Link ]
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 L.L. Bean
Deluxe Mistletoe Spray - $14.99 [ Link ]
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.
by mistletoe.com
2013 Calendar - $30.00 [ Link ]
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 snowandgraham.com
Brilliant Ideas Large Notepad - $10.00 [ Link ]
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 kate spade
Mixit CD Envelope - $7.50 [ Link ]
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 See Jane Work
Indoor Herb Kit - $19.95 [ Link ]
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.
by Urban Farmer
Wine Stopper, Monogrammed - $22.00 [ Link ]
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 C. Wonder
Peppermint Bark - $26.95 [ Link ]
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.
by Williams-Sonoma
Ariel Paperwhite Kit in Basket - $49.00 [ Link ]
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 White Flower Farm
Gratitude Journal - $14.95 [ Link ]
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 Paper Source
Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share - $15.98 [ Link ]
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.
by Martha Stewart
Apothecary Jars - $24.95 [ Link ]
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).
by Stonewall Kitchen
Perky-Pet Sunflower Lantern Wild Bird Feeder - $19.39 [ Link ]
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 Target
Felted Polar Bear Ornament - $20.00 [ Link ]
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
Backyard Bocce Set - $14.95 [ Link ]
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.
by Anthropologie
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.
Fabric-Wrapped Soap [ Link ]
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.
by Anthropologie
Butterfly Notecards, Set of 8 - $100.00 [ Link ]
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.
by Horchow
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
· 
1
1
appytrails Eight notecards for $100? REALLY?
6 months ago · Like
· 13
13
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
· 3
3
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
· 9
9
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
· 3
3
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
· 1
1
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
· 4
4
Emery & Associates Interior Design Thank you, Becky, for jump-starting my holiday shopping! Great ideas!
6 months ago · Like
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Find Local Pros by Category:
Architects & Designers · Carpet and Flooring · Closet & Home Storage Designers · Design-build Firms · Fireplaces · General Contractors · Home Media Design & Installation · Interior Designers & Decorators · Kitchen & Bath Designers · Landscape Architects & Designers · Landscape Contractors · Specialty Contractors · Tile, Stone & Countertops
Find Local Pros by Metro Area:
Atlanta · Austin · Baltimore · Boston · Chicago · Dallas · Dc Metro · Denver · Detroit · Hawaii · Houston · Las Vegas · Los Angeles · Miami · Minneapolis · Nashville · New Orleans · New York · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Portland · Salt Lake City · San Diego · San Francisco · Seattle · St Louis
