When someone hosts you for a weekend or a dinner party, it feels like a BIG deal. As someone who enjoys hosting, I’m also fully aware of just how much work goes into it. Hosts typically don’t expect you to bring anything, but a small gesture of gratitude is one of the easy ways to make a host or hostess feel special and appreciated.
My go to hostess gift is simply a nice bottle of wine. It’s pretty much always a safe bet unless your hosts do not drink. If you want to get a bit more creative with a thoughtful gift that they’ll really remember, these are the best hostess gifts out there! Whether it’s a housewarming party, a big party, an intimate evening or you’re being hosted for a trip, this list has you covered.
Before buying something random, consider the gift recipient. Do they host often? Do they love to cook? Do they hate cooking? Are cozy nights in one of their favorites or do they love going out? What’s something you know they’d appreciate, but not expect?
36 Best Hostess Gift Ideas Under $100
1. A Really Good Candle
Right now this is my go-to gift! The Heirloom Tomato candle is the one I burn constantly. It’s earthy, grounded, herby and smells so calming. It makes me feel like I’ve been plopped down into my own Nancy Meyers film. It’s also the candle I burn while I sit at my desk working most days.
Other candles I absolutely love that aren’t quite as pricy are the LaVune Fig candle and La Jolie Muse Sahara Amber & Trapp’s Orange Vanilla—my mom used to burn this one all the time and it takes me right back home.
2. Nice Dish Towel Set
Is it just me or are all of your dish towels basically nasty rags? This is such an easy and affordable gift and one that people will think, “omg, I didn’t know I NEEDED this”. Instead of kitschy ones, aim for something that matches the recipient’s personal style or home decor. When in doubt, a simple striped towel is classic and feels a bit French!
3. Good Olive Oil
If your hostess loves to cook and entertain, you can’t go wrong with a lovely bottle of olive oil. This is one of those things that I appreciate, but don’t always want to buy for myself. I always love that Ina’s ingredient list includes items like “good olive oil” because there’s a huge difference in truly good olive oil and that big jug you buy at Costco. My go-to brand is Graza—this set has the best two—and Brightland for their beautiful packaging, great taste and unique flavors and gift ideas.
4. Cheese Board or Cutting Board
Another great one for any hostess—beautiful cheese boards or cutting boards are such a special piece to have. The older I get, the more I love collecting fun serving pieces for when we host random parties or for the holidays. This green marble cheese board is a nice break from white marble. These scalloped cutting boards are great for everyday use AND entertaining—I love that!
5. Nice Bottle of Wine
Instead of opting for a generic bottle of wine, grab a nice bottle instead! Recently a friend gave me a really nice bottle of wine that had a special story to it. It was one they had tried and loved while wine tasting in France and brought a case home. What would normally have been just a good gift became a great one because of the story and meaning behind it. For great online options, check out Sophie James.
6. Cheese Knife Set
If your hostess loves a good happy hour and charcuterie board, a beautiful cheese knife set is such a good idea! It’s fun and there are so many really cool and unique ones out there that fit different styles. I also love this tortoise shell set.
7. Serving Platter
A pretty serving platter always feels like a special treat as well! I personally love my enamel-coated serving trays. They’re lightweight, durable and come in lots of different patterns. I love this speckled version so much because it’s fun and playful, but can be mixed with funky plates or even more traditional ones. If you want to spend a little more for a nicer gift, MacKenzie-Child’s floral or checkered platters are my all-time favorties!
8. Coasters
This is easy, simple and something that will definitely get used. I never realized I needed coasters until we got an antique coffee table that gets stained if a water glass sits for too long. This coaster set absorbs water so you don’t have to worry about damaging your table.
9. Wine Coaster
This is another gift that people will think, “I had no idea I needed this until now!” Simple, effective and will get tons of use as it protects the table or countertop underneath from drips and condensation. Perfect for marble or quartzite counters that get water rings or wooden tables you want to protect. I love this striped ceramic wine coaster and this chic metallic gold one.
10. Vase
As someone who absolutely loves having fresh flowers around the house whenever possible, a really beautiful vase in a timeless design or a unique and funky design like this one or this striped one is always a great gift. Sure, a simple glass vase is fine, but ceramic or colored glass vases feel extra special and add some personality to someone’s home. Again, make sure to buy something that fits your hostess’ style.
11. Fancy Handsoap
We just got this beautiful glass bottle of hand soap in the same heirloom tomato scent as that candle and I absolutely adore it. This is a great hostess gift because most people aren’t going to go out and buy the fancy soap, but what a treat it is to have it and use it!
12. Salad Serving Spoons
I brought these colorful salad serving spoons to a favorite things party last year and they were a big hit! I think this can be such a fun time to go bold with something colorful or funky because it’s such a small part of someone’e hosting collection. If your guest loves neutral colors, stick with some cool metal ones or something more toned down.
13. Cloth Napkins
Some beautiful cloth napkins can be another good hostess gift. This is such a fun way to add color and interest to a tablescape and unexpected fun gift for someone who loves hosting friends and family!
14. Cool Taper Candles
Setting the mood at the table is a big part of hosting and having some unique and funky taper candles on hand is any hostess’ dream! I love these colorful striped candles and these fun twisted candles.
15. Rechargeable Tap Lamps
One of the best things for any hostess is good lighting. A set of rechargeable and dimmable tap lamps is perfect for home decor or lighting a table. Take their personal taste into consideration when picking a style. A classic and simple modern look like these (comes in a bunch of colors) is great! These can be great for game nights too to add some extra light to the table. We use them for mahjong often!
16. Salt and Pepper Grinders
I ADORE these salt and pepper grinders and actually bought them for my sisters and mom as a fun gift one year. They are super high quality, come in multiple sizes and colors! We all have the sage green ones and they are beautiful. The small ones are great for tabletop too!
17. Fancy Salt
If your hostess loves cooking, some fancy Maldon salt and smoked finishing salt is such a fun and thoughtful gift they will get plenty of use from. I always love a gift that you can eat or drink! This is super affordable and so fun!
18. Wine or Champagne Bucket
For anyone who LOVES a good chilled glass of wine or champagne, this is the perfect gift! There are so many fun ones out there to choose from from colorful to classic stainless steel, find something that fits your hostess’ taste!
19. Glass Match Cloche
I’ve given glass match cloche as a gift multiple times and I love that it’s not only functional, but also looks beautiful sat on your shelf or table. There’s two different sizes to choose from, but the medium one always feels right to me as I don’t need extra long matches…ever. They also come in different glass sizes and match colors!
20. Cute Glassware
When in doubt a cute set of glasses, juice glasses, cocktail glasses or wine glasses—whatever suits the host—is a fun gift they’ll always use. These striped glasses come in a bunch of different colors and would be perfect for juice, iced coffee or a cocktail!
21. Cute Mug
This mug is a gift that will get worked into your host’s daily routine. A beautiful latte mug or travel mug depending on the person is always thoughtful and useful. This isn’t too expensive and such a fun little keepsake they will get plenty of use from! My go-to spot to look for cute mugs is always Anthropologie.
22. Custom Matchbooks
This is one of the best housewarming gifts. You can order custom matchbooks in sets of 50 (or more). It’s such a thoughtful and fun gift and something that they can continue to use and gift to people who visit!
23. Specialty Honey
As someone who loves to cook, and artisan food type is always a welcome gift! Again, I love an edible gift and a honey set—something that’s got unique flavor like lavender or orange blossom, or even a local honey from a small manufacturer is truly such a special host gift.
24. Apron
A beautiful apron for a host that loves to cook is thoughtful and fun! Make sure to choose something that’s actually useful—personally those aprons that only go around your waist always seemed pointless to me!
25. Cookbook
A classic cookbook is always a great gift for a hostess who loves cooking. For a traditional friend who loves entertaining, any of Ina Garten’s books are amazing. For a friend who has more unique funky taste and loves trying out new flavors, try this book, Lugma, that features unique Middle Eastern flavors that are all so delicious (the roast chicken and cake are so yummy!)
26. Fancy Hand Lotion
Another one of those things you may not buy for yourself, but feels extra luxurious is a good hand lotion. I like to choose ones that not only smell good, but also look beautiful on a countertop or sink.
27. Specialty Pasta
For any Italian lovers out there, some fancy pasta in a hard-to-find shape is SO fun! When I visited Rome years ago, I brought back colorful striped bowtie pasta that my friends and family adored. It’s low-cost and a great idea for anyone who loves eating pasta! In a pinch, you can run to a local specialty foods store and grab some fun items!
28. Mini Serving Spoons
Every time I cook dinner for a group and I’m making something with lots of toppings, I always think about how I have no good tiny serving spoons! This is a gift that will get tons of use and is really unique, because it’s not something you’d typically think of, but will absolutely use!
29. Picture Frame
A beautiful picture frame that matches the style of your hostess’ home is thoughtful and something they will use for years to come to highlight their most special moments.
30. Throw Blanket
Another great housewarming gift is a beautiful and soft throw blanket. Again, opt for the style of your hostess—if they love neutral colors, stick with that? Color, go wild!
31. Butter Dish
This is one of those overlooked items in a lot of houses. A beautiful butter dish feels elevated and special.
32. Napkin Rings
This is such a fun and unique gift for anyone who loves to host dinner parties! There are so many options out there for colors, woven, leather, metal—just about any theme you can imagine, it exists. These make for a small and lovely gifts that feels so fun!
33. Tablecloth
One of my favorite tablecloths came from Amazon and it was an amazing price. This is a great gift for anyone who loves dinner parties, small gatherings or even a good game nights (a smaller or round size would be great for a mahjong table!). It’s the perfect way to add some color and personality to your hostess’ table.
34. Steak Knife Set
These steak knife sets are beautiful and feel elevated! Great for a Christmas party or any time of year! They come in beautiful designs like bone or tortoise handles that fit a wide variety of styles.
35. Oven Mit & Pot Holder Set
Another fun and useful gift. Avoid the more boring styles and grab something in a fun pattern or your hostess’ favorite color so it feels more special and fun than utilitarian, even though it is super useful! These are another affordable gift that works for just about anyone, but especially a friend who loves to host or bake!
36. Olive Boat
Admittedly, I don’t like olives—don’t hate me! But I do think they add such a chic, elevated feel to any charcuterie board or grazing table and this olive boat is so dang cute! Even if you don’t like olives, you could find something fun to pop in this olive boat, like nuts, dried fruit or even spreads or butter!
There you have it! These are the 36 best gifts for a hostess! They don’t require any extra work, maybe a cute bag or wrapping paper, but honestly a simply ribbon usually does the trick.
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