We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Holidays & Occasions Gifts The 31 Best Host and Hostess Gifts Of 2024 Always have a thoughtful present at the ready. By Carrie Honaker Carrie Honaker Carrie Honaker is a freelance writer and pastry chef specializing in food, wine, and travel. Using her background working in and owning restaurants, she provides insight into products and practices for the home cook. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 27, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews Questions And Answers Why Trust Southern Living Southern Living A tenet of Southern hospitality is to never show up to somebody’s house empty-handed. Every time an invite arrives, that etiquette our parents taught us about thoughtful host gifts kicks in. It doesn't need to be elaborate, sometimes a simple heartfelt thank you card suffices, and other times an elaborately planned occasion dictates something a little more grand. With all the housewarmings, game nights, murder mystery dinners, wine tastings, and soirees happening, it’s hard to figure out the appropriate gesture and how much to spend. For insight we turned to the original source of etiquette, the Emily Post Institute, specifically Emily’s great-great-granddaughter, Lizzie Post, co-president of the Institute and co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette, The Centennial Edition. Post believes there is no hard and fast rule about host gifts. “They occupy a strange space. Some people bring them every time they go to each other's houses, some people only the first time or to a new home, others it depends on the occasion. Our big thing is to not feel a ton of pressure—that host has invited you for your company, not for your ability to bring them a small token gift.” To come up with our list of the best host gifts, we spent hours researching products and considered factors like budget, occasion, and the range of gifts available from handmade to luxury to whimsical to personalized. In addition to Post, we received expert insight on the etiquette surrounding host gifts from Brent Ellis, founder of stationery design and print studio Dear Elouise, as well as Buckhead Printery. Cocktail Kits 2 Go Cocktail Set Amazon View On Amazon $18 View On Walmart $13 View On Cocktailkits2go.com Inspired by travels along the Alaskan Highway where the founder carried pocket-sized tins filled with fishing tackle, fire starter, and survival gear, Cocktail Kits 2 Go features all the essentials for a craft cocktail in one small, in-case-of-emergency package. Eight classic flavors are available in vintage-style tins. Choose from Southern favorites like Mint Julep, Mojito, and Old Fashioned. If they love bubbles (and who doesn’t?), the Champagne Cocktail Kit includes aromatic bitters, sugar cubes, a flute charm, and instructions for making the drink as it has been made since the late 1800s. All it’s missing is their favorite sparkling wine. Amelie Latte Cereal Bowls Anthropologie View On Anthropologie $32 A sweet set of small bowls fulfill so many functions on a host’s list—they make great dip vessels, hold the perfect amount of snacking nuts, and can be used as receptacles for homemade potpourri. This set of four is crafted from durable glazed stoneware and is available in six fun colors to liven up any space. They are microwave safe if you need to zap your dip and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. What host wouldn't love another set of small bowls for all their entertaining needs? Souper Cubes Silicone Ice Cube Tray Amazon View On Amazon $35 View On Williams-Sonoma $20 View On Food52 $40 These look like ice cube trays, but they are so much more. They come in three sizes that offer a solution for leftover chicken stock, batches of homemade marinara, buttermilk, and more. The food-grade silicone containers are freezer safe and can withstand oven temperatures up to 415 degrees Fahrenheit (hello, individual cheesecakes). The clear lids allow you to see what’s inside, and provide a secure cover that prevents odors from escaping. Bonus, they stack and are dishwasher safe. Imagine how grateful your host will feel if, at the end of the night, they have a ready-made storage container for all that leftover butternut squash soup. Southern Living Acacia Wood 3-Piece Cheese Tool Set Dillard's View On Dillards.com Anyone who loves to entertain knows the importance of a quality set of cheese knives. This set includes three acacia wood knives—a flat knife for cutting soft cheese, a spade for cutting wedges of hard cheese, and a cheese fork to hold the block in place. If you're wanting to go a bit bigger, considering pairing them with a homemade charcuterie board. Wedding Homes Hand Block Printed Cocktail Napkins Etsy View On Etsy $20 These block-printed cotton napkins crafted in India using traditional techniques will dress up any table. The floral-patterned pieces are hand-printed textiles so no two are alike—the variations make each one unique. Each is made of cotton, so they can be washed and reused. Ellis often turns to napkins as a go-to gift. “A set of cocktail napkins tied up with a cocktail stir or knife is a fun gift. I usually have a few sets of cocktail napkins on hand for gifting so I'm ready to go whenever I need a hostess gift.” Slow North Neck Wrap Amazon View On Amazon $55 View On Etsy $58 View On Nyandcompany.com Planning an event, no matter how adept your host is, can be stressful. They will appreciate this thoughtful neck wrap from Slow North, made by hand in Austin. They are constructed from fabric that comes from a heritage mill in Japan, which is then filled by hand with natural, unscented lentils in the Texas studio. They can be used for hot or cold therapy to soothe aches and pains. Savannah Bee Company Beeswax Salve Amazon View On Amazon $10 View On Savannahbee.com The hours spent prepping food, cleaning the house, and setting up for a dinner party take a toll on a host's hands. Savannah Bee Company’s Beeswax Salve delivers heavy moisture with a light, calming scent that leaves those hard-working hands soft. Each batch is certified organic and created from a blend of nourishing ingredients like pure beeswax, vitamin E, and olive oil. We love the original spearmint scent, but the salve also comes in cedar and rosemary and lavender scents. After a heavy round of dishes, your host will appreciate this self-care gift. Pirani Insulated Stackable Tumbler Pirani View On Pirani.life View On Campingworld.com A red Solo cup, but better. The Pirani Insulated Stackable Tumbler eliminates plastic waste. Southerners love a pre-game tailgate and this stylish cup will make them the envy of the crowd. It comes in eight different colors and keep drinks cold for 12 hours and hot for six hours. And when the party's over, the cups are dishwasher safe and stack together for compact storage. Le Creuset Heritage Stoneware Covered Baker Sur La Table View On Amazon $135 View On Wayfair $135 View On Williams-Sonoma $135 Le Creuset, known for its durable bakeware, is a household staple. Any piece from the collection would be a welcome gift, but for somebody who entertains, the Heritage Rectangular Casserole baking dish offers a versatile vessel for pans of bread pudding, comforting chicken-and-biscuit pot pie, marinating steaks, and more. The stoneware lid keeps your food moist while baking and facilitates easy transport for potlucks and picnics. One of the best things about this casserole dish is the virtually nonstick interior that makes cleanup a breeze. It’s safe for the freezer, oven, microwave, broiler, dishwasher, and even metal utensils. Plus, the kaleidoscope of colors guarantees your host's favorite color is available. Oliver Pluff & Co. Hot Toddy Gift Set Oliver Pluff & Co. View On Oliverpluff.com Hot toddies have a reputation for being the best thing to wind down with after a long day of hosting. They also have been known to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu, as well as warming a body up on a cold, wet night or welcoming the Christmas season. Oliver Pluff & Company in Charleston has hand-packaged that remedy and now you can gift it to your host. This kit comes with sachets to brew 3 gallons of toddies, just add honey and whiskey. Southern Living White Square Coasters Dillard's View On Dillards.com Every host needs a set of coasters to protect their furniture from unsightly water marks. This set from the Southern Living Collection at Dillard's is surprisingly affordable and features half white marble and half acacia wood. The neutral color scheme will blend seamlessly with any decor and add a touch of sophistication to their home. Ranger Station Hinoki Rituals Candle Ranger Station View On Rangerstation.co These candles, which are poured and packaged by Nashville fragrance house Ranger Station, have long-lasting scents that may remind you of familiar experiences, like saddling up a horse and riding off into the sunset. They seek to capture those moments in time and deliver them through the sensory experience of lighting a candle. Post loves to gift a candle. “It may sound cliche, but I think that's a gift that will get well used.” Ranger Station’s soy wax blend candles come in sturdy, reusable cocktail glasses with an artisan cocktail recipe to make in that glass. Each candle boasts a 30-hour burn time, and if you visit the Ranger Candles website, you can take a quiz to find your host’s candle personality, and maybe yours because who doesn't love a quiz? Mud Pie Oyster Tray and Dip Set Dillards View On Dillards.com View On Mudpie.com $44 Oysters in the South are kind of a big deal and oyster-themed serveware is always a good choice. This three-piece set comes with an oyster-textured stoneware serving tray, an oyster-shaped dip cup, and a driftwood and metal shell spoon. The stoneware pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe, taking the burden of heavy cleanup off their shoulders. For something a little extra, make a batch of your favorite dip and show up with the tray ready to serve. Happy Daisies Personalized Stationery Minted View On Minted The art of letter writing still figures strongly in Southern sensibilities. There is nothing more personal than a handwritten card, no matter the occasion. This set of personalized stationery by graphic designers Robert and Stella from Salt Lake City features friendly daisies on velvety cotton, heavy-weight paper. Minted also offers free recipient addressing. Ellis, who specializes in printing and paper, has a soft spot for this type of gift. “For friends who have hosted me at their house or vacation spot, I like to send a set of personalized stationery with a custom illustration,” she says. “This is personal and also says how much I enjoyed their special home!” The 40 Best Easter Host Gifts Of 2024 Tiff’s Treats Cookie Truffles Tiffâs Treats View On Cookiedelivery.com If you’ve visited a neighborhood with a Tiff’s Treats shop, you’ve seen the line. Their warm cookies, which started as an apology for a missed date, have garnered a loyal following. What started as a small Austin, Texas, operation has grown to over 90 retail bakeries across seven states. And if you have a shop close, a platter of warm cookies can be delivered to your host fresh from the oven. But, if there isn’t a Tiff’s Treats in the vicinity, they have shipping nationwide for their take-and-bake dough and gift packages (there are even gift packages with Kendra Scott jewelry), including the cookie truffles. Four balls of chocolate chip cookie dough are rolled in chocolate and topped with petite sprinkles—it’s a sweet treat your hardworking host can enjoy while relaxing after the guests leave. Cavallini & Co. Vintage Travel Poster Puzzle Amazon View On Amazon $24 View On Uncommon Goods $22 View On Barnesandnoble.com $25 We all love a girls' trip, and now your host can relive some of those travel moments with this Vintage Travel Poster Puzzle. It also makes an entertaining conversation starter at any soiree. The 1,000-piece puzzle features the volcanic slopes of Chile, cherry blossoms at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, and sunny Monte Carlo as you travel the globe through each section completed. The brightly colored images capture that vintage travel poster look while supplying plenty of inspiration to plan that next big trip. Spicewalla Kitchen Essentials Collection Spicewalla View On Amazon $60 View On Spicewallabrand.com $85 View On Lordandtaylor.com Spices are such a foundational part of any entertainer’s kitchen, and this collection from award-winning Southern chef Meherwan Irani features classics like garlic powder and crushed red pepper alongside special blends like Sicilian sea salt and Mediterranean oregano. Spices are sourced in small quantities, and roasted, ground, and packed in small batches to ensure freshness. The 10-pack comes in sealed baggies inside adorable spice tins that stack—so functional and cute that you’ll want to gift these over and over, and probably buy a set for yourself. King Arthur Bread Baking Bowl King Arthur View On Kingarthurbaking.com Bread baking seized the nation during the pandemic, and it’s not letting go. As busy hosts across the South hone their skills with sourdough and banana bread, products like this Bread Baking Bowl from trusted brand King Arthur level up their loaves. This custom-made, clay vessel is versatile enough for any type of dough, from wet doughs like rye to classics like peasant bread. The porous clay traps steam while the bread is baking, yielding a crispy crust in a beautiful round shape. For an extra thoughtful touch, include a card that lets your host know if they coat the inside of the pan with neutral oil before each use, a pretty patina will develop with each bake. Bloomscape Mini Money Tree Bloomscape View On Bloomscape.com A pet-friendly and air-purifying plant is a welcome addition to any home. The money tree has large, star-shaped leaves and a braided trunk that will lend a tropical feel with the proper care. Bloomscapes offers a wide variety of houseplants delivered to your door, but the money tree is thought to bring positive energy and good luck (they also say it relieves stress and anxiety), a lovely way to say thank you to your favorite host. It comes in five different pot colors, and if for some reason it dies within 30 days, Bloomscape will replace it for free. Messina Hof Wine Messina Hof View On Orderport.net View On Vinoshipper.com A bottle of wine checks so many boxes: The range of prices is wide, it’s a fast solution to a last-minute invitation, and it can help a host out when more people than expected show up to their event. It’s even better when that bottle comes from a family-owned winery where the grapes are grown and wine is produced right here in the South. Messina Hof's legacy began with one Texas acre, and now spans four locations across the state cared for with generations of family experience. They are the leading producer of 100 percent Texas wines and have garnered the most awards of any winery in the state. Their Father & Son Riesling is a bargain at $15 per bottle and delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that pairs with spicy food and hot summer nights. Or opt for one of their reds like the GSM, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre that’s great at barbecues, but is versatile enough for a posh dessert gathering. And, if you order ahead, they offer personalization on the labels. Just think, a label that already says thank you with your name on it so you can just grab it from your rack and go, no card required. Barista Warrior Pour Over Coffee Maker Set Amazon View On Amazon $25 View On Baristawarrior.com If getting together over coffee is your connection to your host, the Barista Warrior Pour Over Coffee Maker Set is a thoughtful choice as a gift. The 7-cup heat-resistant borosilicate glass coffee carafe offers a sturdy and elegant solution for barista-level at-home coffee. The reusable stainless steel filter not only saves paper from the landfill, but also provides dual filtration for richer flavor. Plus, the included acacia wood coffee scoop is adorable. I Am From Here: Stories and Recipes from a Southern Chef Cookbook Amazon View On Amazon $19 View On Barnesandnoble.com $38 Winner of the 2023 James Beard Award for U.S. Foodways Cookbook, I Am From Here by celebrated Southern Chef Vishwesh Bhatt delivers reliable recipes alongside stories of growing up watching his mother and grandmother cook, and the evolving culinary narrative of the South. The 130 recipes are organized by ingredient and many are stars on the menu at Snackbar in Oxford, Mississippi, where Bhatt has served as the executive chef since 2009. This will become a staple for any host as they plan future dinner parties, trying out dishes like Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Tandoori Spices or Collard-Wrapped Catfish with a spicy Peanut Pesto. The dishes adorning the pages represent the best Southern ingredients that are easily accessible, and the meal-planning guide will help you navigate pairing dishes for different occasions. But even better, the narrative this cookbook weaves reminds us all what it is to be a Southerner. H3irloom H3 HotSauce Trio H3irloom View On H3irloom.com If your host likes hot sauce, and let’s be real who doesn’t in the South, they will appreciate you introducing them to this chef-created line. Like so many Southerners, Chef David Thomas grew up watching his grandmother cook delicious meals from scratch. She taught him the importance of quality ingredients which has carried through to Thomas’ approach to soul food. H3irloom Food Group, owned in partnership by Thomas, his wife Tonya, and close friends and partners Linda and Floyd Taliaferro, produces this pack of three hot sauces that along with other products and experiences“...uplift the Black food narrative and provide a deeply personal approach to the Black food experience that’s rooted in history and culture.” In the beautifully packaged box, you will find the award-winning Sweat, Sosu, and Smok’d hot sauces. The Sweat formula offers a vinegar base with preserved heirloom tomatoes and Thai chile. Sosu is a West African-inspired "peppa" sauce, and the Smok’d is an earthy hot sauce with Mbongo spice and natural charcoal. Uncommon Goods Ceramic Bee Drinking Cup Set of 5 Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods $35 View On Bee-cups.com Gardening serves as a therapeutic hobby for many people, and you know how much we pride ourselves on a beautiful garden in the South. Pollinators are the key to bountiful hydrangea and delicate roses. Vision Bee Cups are porcelain flower-shaped vessels that attract native bees and honey bees to get the vital water they need to do their jobs. Created by eco-artist Jen Rose, the delicate handmade cups have an ultraviolet ceramic glaze that mimics the way flowers attract bees, but can only be seen by bees. Rose makes these unique cups in Texas with locally-sourced materials, and in keeping with their sustainable product, “Bee Cups LLC commits to using zero plastic in its packaging and production, recycles all the unusable bee cups, and strives to be zero waste.” It’s the perfect gift to bring plenty of color into your host’s garden while helping save the bees. Lola Blankets Blanket Lola Blankets View On Lolablankets.com A luxurious, comforting blanket is like offering your host a warm hug long after you depart. The Lola Blanket’s double-sided construction keeps soft, comforting fabric on top at all times, plus the chunky knit adds a textural statement to any room. The combination of the “...faux-fur/minky fabric and elastic creates a blanket that stretches and hugs you back.” Lola founded a program specifically for breast cancer survivors, Blankets for the Brave. They donate soft Lola Blankets to women living with breast cancer and 10 percent of all proceeds from all Rosewater Lola Blankets goes to the Huntsman Cancer Institute to fund research and treatments. The blankets are available in 14 colors and three sizes, and you can know your purchase furthers the fight against this deadly disease. Lynn & Liana Designs Medium Acacia Cheese Boards Lynn & Liana Designs View On Amazon $90 View On Lynnliana.com You may have seen these stunning cheese boards on TikTok when singer Meghan Trainor went viral sharing her love for them. Lynn & Liana, a small Manitoba family business, went from producing just 100 boards in 2018 to over 100,000 in 2022, but they still are handcrafted with an eco-friendly resin that ensures no two boards are alike. The boards come in 10 colors and make an elegant, unique gift for any host. For an extra charge, you can also get them engraved. Croghan's Jewel Box Charleston Camellia Bowl Croghan's Jewel Box View On Croghansjewelbox.com Camellias have a storied history in the South and are even Alabama’s state flower. They’ve been a traditional Charleston garden plant since they were first introduced in the 1700s. This crystal bowl from Croghan’s Jewel Box (they opened over 100 years ago in an 18th-century Charleston single house on King Street) celebrates the graceful shape of the camellia with its fluted shallow serving surface, and would make an elegant addition to any host's collection. In fact, we’ve suggested this beautiful piece before because we love it that much. Dri/kit Cocktail Kits Dri/kit View On Shopdrikit.com A bottle of wine is great, but what about the host who doesn’t imbibe? Enter the Dri/kit. The high-quality, non-alcoholic cocktail kits incorporate the best alcohol-free wine and spirits available, and feature women-owned brands on three of their four options. The Spicy Piña delivers the dancing-on-tables tequila experience without the next-day consequences through its Spiritless Jalisco 55, 2 De La Calle Pineapple Spice cans, Root 23 Sweet & Salty Citrus Cocktail Salt, and dehydrated pineapple slices with tajin. Plus it comes with an attractive beechwood muddler to complete the mixology foray. Or opt for the Sunset Spritz to tap into the Aeperol trend without the booze. The Blue Butterfly and Botanist round out the choices, and if you want to go one step further, the Good Guest Gift Set features a mini bottle of alcohol-free Prima Pave Blanc de Blancs, Brightland Awake olive oil, Flouwer Co. artisanal crackers, and dairy-free Mast oat milk chocolate bar all wrapped in a pretty box with the brand’s signature ribbon. Kitchen Papers Hester & Cook Marbled Placemat Pack Amazon View On Amazon $40 View On Swoozies.com View On Hesterandcook.com Entertaining goods are one of Post’s favorite host gifts and these Hester & Cook hand-crafted, marbled placemats will make a welcome addition to any home. The Tennessee shop partners with artisans in India to create these 100 percent cotton paper placemats utilizing the centuries-old technique of hand-marbling—no two are exactly alike. Your host will appreciate the versatility as well. They can be used as tray liners to elevate service, unique gift wrap, and a variety of craft projects. Snowfox Stainless Steel Rocks Glass Set Amazon View On Amazon $100 Unbreakable and barware seldom occupy the same space, but Snowfox’s stainless steel ice bucket with a lid, tongs, and four rocks glasses checks both of those categories. The stainless steel set has a double-wall design for durability and temperature control—your ice stays solid and bottles stay chilled even with the lid off. The chic design comes in seven wrap colors to match any host's taste. This thoughtful choice will amp up any occasion from a housewarming to a Sunday supper. Heather Peel National Parks Travel Cribbage Set Uncommon goods View On Uncommon Goods $45 As board game nights become more popular, cool options like this National Parks Travel Cribbage Set join the scene. If your host loves the national parks, this is a great gift that is customized to feature their favorite one—there are 63 choices from Acadia to Zion. You also get to select a nature-themed shape for the two included sets of playing pegs. They'll appreciate that this cribbage set is ready to go on their next camping trip or family vacation with its stylish cotton drawstring pouch, an opportunity to bring more people to the classic game. Questions And Answers How much should you spend on a host gift? So, you’ve decided to give a host gift, now comes the puzzle of what price range to shop in. Ellis bases her gift amount on the level of hosting involved. “If a friend has me over for dinner, I like to bring a cute set of napkins or a bottle of wine, which usually runs about $20-$25. If I'm being hosted for an entire weekend stay, I'll splurge a little more on something special and personal that costs around $150-$250.” Post thinks it’s about you and your budget. She loves quality homemade items and remembers fondly her mother’s go-to holiday host gift growing up, a mason jar of her homemade Hard Sauce. “It was something she could afford to do, and she felt good about giving it as a special treat at the holidays.” Do you have to give a host gift? This is a tricky question. Ellis, who often finds herself on the hosting side because she enjoys throwing a party, says, “I know how much effort goes into getting the house ready for a dinner party or hosting a beach weekend for friends. That being said, when the tables are turned and I'm being hosted, I want to make sure my gift says how much I appreciate the effort and thought to include me.” Post says to go with your gut. “You know the people that you're going to visit and the events that you're visiting them for. If it feels like it'd be nice to show up with something, great. If it feels like this is not the person or the event where you need to worry about it, don't. It's amazing how much your own common sense will get you there if you take a minute to think about it.” What are some last-minute host gift ideas? We always hope to get an invitation far enough out to be thoughtful and strategic about what we gift, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes an invite comes up the day of and you are scrambling to find a suitable gift. Post shared this advice, “Flowers in some kind of a container, ready to go is my go-to. Consumables are also really great—you can even think small like a small jar of a special flavor of jam. If you know people drink, a bottle of wine is a great last-minute choice.” Ellis also likes fresh flowers, but she skips the store and harvests a bouquet straight from his hydrangea bushes in his backyard. She adds, “I keep an assortment of vases in my basement that I can pull from and leave with the host.” Why Trust Southern Living Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who loves to bring a mason jar full of homemade treats or thoughtfully-chosen pieces of local art whenever she’s invited over. As an avid traveler who relishes time with friends when she’s home, she knows the value of keeping a stock of wine and a stash of her signature stationery for those last-minute get-togethers. To compile this list, Carrie spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for host gifts, including budget, occasion, availability of items, and functionality. For expert tips on what to look for in host gifts and the etiquette surrounding giving them, she spoke to Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute and co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette, The Centennial Edition, and Brent Ellis, founder of Dear Elouise and Buckhead Printery. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit