Looking for hostess gift ideas that are unique and special? Want to gift your host something that will have her smiling from ear to ear? Then read on!
You show up to a dinner party and bring the host a bottle of wine to show your appreciation.
You hand over the bottle and the host sets it down …..next to a giant sea of bottles…yup, looks like everyone had the same idea.
Now, to be clear – I will never complain if someone is thoughtful enough to bring a bottle of wine. I love wine -it’s a perfectly acceptable gift – and I myself, have brought a wine offering to a dinner party.
BUT – if you want to present a hostess gift that’s special and will stand out, here’s a few ideas.
Gourmet Food
This category offers endless options for you to surprise your host and introduce them to something new! (just be sure that your items aren’t about to expire or *gasp…have already expired)
Last year, a friend of mine brought a 3 pack of gourmet maple syrup as a hostess gift. The whole family loved it and every time we pulled those syrups out, I thought about her and her sweet gesture.
Another friend brought Robert Rothschild Raspberry Wasabi Dipping Mustard. Seriously, it’s so good with pretzels, salmon, chicken – and in a vinaigrette….fuggetaboutit! This gourmet mustard is the BOMB and I never would have found it if she hadn’t been so thoughtful!
Here’s a few other ideas:
- Unique or Local honey
- Specialty coffee or tea
- Selection of gourmet popcorn or nuts
- Flavoured vinegars or olive oils
- Hot sauces
- Flavoured Sea Salts
Joyful Hostess Tip: Don’t bring something that has to be refrigerated right away. It’s no fun watching your host stop what she’s doing to re-arrange her fridge to find room for your gift.
Monogrammed Gifts
It’s human nature to like seeing your name or at the very least your initials. It’s mean, haven’t we all stopped to search for our names in a pile of merchandise? BTW – never found “Mara”…ever – I know you people with unique names/spelling feel me on this!
Again, this is another category where you can be creative and there are sooooo many vendors on Etsy who customize beautiful products.
How about looking for monogrammed:
- Bar shaker or bar ware (corkscrew, wine topper etc.)
- Cutting boards
- Kitchen towels, napkins
- Drinking glasses
- Picture frames, ornaments
- Pillows, blankets
- Stationery
Pretty Dishtowels
I think this is an ideal gift because it’s practical and pretty at the same time. It’s something that your host will actually use – and they’ll remember you each time they use it! My fave find was a dishtowel that read “Sweet dreams are made of cheese…who am I to ‘dis a Brie? (hilarious, right?!)
Candles
Nowadays there are so many cute candles to chose from whether you choose to purchase from a big box store or from a local candle artist. Perhaps you choose a seasonal or holiday scented candle, or one that matches your host’s decorating colours or maybe even a candle that has a clever quote.
Worried about allergies? I find that battery operated candles also make a wonderful hostess gift (and mom’s with little curious ones will appreciate the safety of these over traditional flame candles)
Books
If you know your host well enough, books make a great gift – especially if you pick a topic or author that speaks to her interests.
And if I may be so bold as to mention the Joyful Hostess Party Planner Keepsake. It’s a fantastic hostess gift and checks all the boxes: thoughtful, beautiful, unique AND it’s something your hostess will definitely remember!
Flowers
If you’re bringing flowers – please, please, please be sure you bring them already set up in a vase! It’s such bad etiquette to bring your host flowers that aren’t already arranged because it creates extra work. You really just want her to be able to set them down and admire them vs. spending time digging out a vase, cutting the stems and arranging them in water.
Hope this inspires you to shake things up and shop more than the wine aisle for your next hostess gift! And hey, if you’re coming to my house…wine is fine 🙂
🚩🚩Wanna see what the 10 WORST hostess gifts are?! Take a peek here for what NOT to bring!
