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If you’ve ever hosted a holiday dinner or get-together, you know just how exhausting it can be to plan, prep, and keep the party going. While exhilarating and exciting once all is said and done, playing the role of hostess can also be — OK, is most definitely — stressful. That’s why the concept of a hostess gift is so genius; it both shows guests’ appreciation for you opening your home up to them (and, most importantly, feeding them), but it’s also the easiest and the most thoughtful way to say “thank you” — even more so when you give anything but wine, the most basic hostess gift of them all.
When picking out a hostess gift, ask yourself two things: Is it functional? And, of course, will she/he like it? You know your friend best, so keep her/his style and aesthetic in mind, and think about what might be the most useful to her/him. Is it another throw pillow or a spa product to help her/him relax? Is it luxurious utensils for the kitchen? Or maybe it’s a bottle of whiskey (because you know a bottle of wine just won’t do once the last guest walks out the front door)?
Ahead, we’ve gathered 30 hostess gifts sure to please the hostess in your life.
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A unique humidifier
No home can ever have too many humidifiers come wintertime (seriously—the cold, dry air is no joke for your skin and sinuses!), and this one is unique enough to make for an A+ hostess gift. LED lights create a flame effect on the opaque mist, which makes it look like an itty-bitty fireplace—without the extra dryness and heat.
Charcuterie Board
Made of natural bamboo wood, this serving board is the perfect canvas for a charcuterie work of art. Display an appetizing variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, jams, and more. SMIRLY’s cheese board comes with serving utensils and an additional fruit tray to make them the ultimate hostess.
Originally $49.87
Funny Coasters
Functional and downright funny, these whimsical coasters are perfect for the hostess who is too shy to end the night.
Serving Bowl
This tri-color splatter, porcelain bowl will complement any table setting.
Board games that double as decor
This is one board game that won’t be relegated to the closet—it’s so dang chic that it will become the recipient’s full-time coffee table centerpiece. Better yet? You can personalize it with any name you’d like, which adds an extra element of thoughtfulness to this already-lovely gift.
Succulent
A simple little succulent can add lots of life and warmth to your hostess’ home.
Monogram Mug
Make the hostess feel extra special with this monogram mug. This Parisian bistro-inspired item adds a personalized touch to your gift, especially if your hostess is a Francophile. Hurry, though, because letters are running out of stock!
Aromatherapy Shower Bombs
After an evening or a weekend of hosting guests, your host will thank you for these balancing, calming, and detoxifying shower bombs with essential oils.
Wine-Preserver and Stoppers
If the party goes well, your hosts shouldn’t have any leftover bottles of wine. But, just in case they do, ensure they’re well-equipped to seal ’em up with this wine preserver and these stoppers.
Cocktail kit
Make any night margarita night with this kit, which includes two different flavors of margarita mix (signature and blueberry basil) plus pink Himalayan and sweet orange salt. Just add tequila and the party will officially be started.
Festive Wreath
Seasonal decor is a great option for hostess gifts and this pre-lit wreath on Amazon is downright breathtaking for the holidays. It’s so beautiful that they may just want to leave it up all year long.
Peanut Butter Whiskey
Skip the wine, and go straight for the hard stuff. And by hard stuff, we obviously mean peanut butter-flavored whiskey that’ll turn anyone into a whiskey fan.
Appetizer Plates
This gorgeous appetizer plate set makes a statement in any household. They’re such a perfect size, color, and quality that they’re impossible not to love. Plus, they’re dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe as well as chip-resistant.
New Home Candle
For the hostess who just moved, gift them Homesick’s New Home candle to comfort them. With an aroma that evokes fresh linen and clean air, this candle is as good as it gets.
Electric Wine Opener
An electric wine opener is the perfect companion to every wine night. It pops any cork in seconds, making it a party favorite for any event.
Indoor Herb Garden
Gift your host the ultimate herb garden collection, including cilantro, basil, thyme, wild strawberries, and over 40 other plants. Although this indoor herb garden kit may be a splurge, it’s definitely a keeper that will last them for years to come.
Luxe Cheese Tools
Elevate your host’s cheese night with these three stainless steel, brass-finish cheese knives.
Hi-tech notebook
For the organized — and eco-friendly — hostess, Rocketbook Fusion notebooks come with a reusable pen. The paper notebook also has seven different page templates that connect to the cloud. It’s probably the most hi-tech notebook your hostess will ever own.
Plush blanket
Let’s be honest: how can anyone say no to an ultra-plush blanket? Let them cuddle up with this soft blanket that comes in an array of classic colors.
Spa-inducing scent
This mint-and-eucalyptus scented diffuser will make any bathroom smell like a spa—and in turn, make bathtime (or #everythingshower time) a whole lot more enjoyable.
Coffee table book
Everyone appreciates a good coffee table book, and this wanderlust-inspired option from artist Gray Malin is a great pick that won’t break the bank (that is, until you flip through it and decide to book a luxury vacation to one of the destinations on display…)
Dinner Party Game
Make any dinner party more fun with these conversation starter cards. Each one includes a question that’s designed to get things flowing (think: “What would you like to learn?” and “Are you afraid of aging”) so that all the responsibility of the night doens’t hinge on the “middlers” conversational skills.
Fashion-meets-function jars
There’s no such thing as “too many” decorative jars, and the ones from Jonathan Adler are so much fun (go ahead and take a peek at some of the brand’s other, cheekier options for a nice little lol). They can be used to store literally anything, and make for a great conversation piece any time someone enters the home.
Bar set
Help your host embrace their inner mixologist with this cocktail-making kit, which comes in four colors (brass, stainless steel, gunmetal, and copper) and includes a shaker, a strainer, a dual-sided measuring cup, and a spoon.
A fun menorah
Help your hostess celebrate the festival of lights in style with a fun and funky menorah, like this adorable nail-polish-inspired style that’s the perfect pick for any of your beauty-loving Jewish friends (it me!).
Wine stoppers
Headed to a holiday party? These seasonally-themed wine stoppers will keep every bottle fresh until long after the last Christmas carol has been sung, which is something any good hostess (and, really, any guest) will greatly appreciate.
Fancy olive oil
Not all olive oil is created equally—a lesson you’ll learn firsthand the minute you taste the upscale selections from Brightland (and this kit comes with two of ’em). Your usual grocery store buy doesn’t stand a chance.
Jam basket
This set of six jams includes both sweet (raspberry peach, wild Maine blueberry, and strawberry) and savory (red pepper jelly, blue cheese herb mustard, and maple champagne mustard) options that will make a great compliment to any charcuterie board or breakfast dish.
Ornaments
Add a little glitz and glamour to the process of decking the halls with some fun ornaments—like this party-themed trio that will help get any recipient excited to entertain.
Salt and pepper shakers
The best hostess gifts are often things that someone would never buy for themselves, and a whimsical salt-and-pepper-shaker set most certainly fits the bill. These little llamas are only one example, and are just as much decor as they are a functional addition to any dinner party table.
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