The Best Hostess Gift Ideas

Ever pull up to a friend’s dinner party only to realize you forgot to bring a gift for the host? We’ve been there. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite tried-and-true hostess gifts for every occasion from dinner parties to informal gatherings and weekend stays. Some presents are traditional and some aren’t, but each gift is sure to score you points and earn big smiles.

What Is a Hostess Gift?

While it doesn’t have to be large or extravagant, a hostess gift is an opportunity to thank the person who’s welcoming you into their home or event space. This can be as simple as a bottle of wine or flowers, or can be more specific depending on the event. A hostess gift is not always obligatory, but taking a moment to honor the organizer of your event is always a good idea.

When to Bring a Hostess Gift

It’s unlikely that a present for the host will ever be an unwelcome gesture, but some occasions are more gift-appropriate than others. It’s customary to bring a gift to dinner parties, housewarmings, and weekend visits while more casual events or large, formal gatherings don’t always require a hostess gift.

How to Personalize a Hostess Gift

Make your hostess gift extra special by adding a personal touch. Include a thank you card with a handwritten message, consider bringing a homemade gift (more on that below), or add a monogrammed element to your gift where possible in the form of embroidery, engraving, or simply a DIY monogrammed card.

Types of Hostess Gifts

Whether you’re attending a holiday party, a dinner party, or a long weekend with friends, acknowledging the host with a heartfelt gift is always a good idea. But knowing exactly what to gift can depend on the occasion. We’ve rounded up our favorite tokens of gratitude for each respective social event.

Housewarming Hostess Gifts

Help your hosts embrace their new space with these housewarming gift ideas.

Greenair Portable USB Ultrasonic Diffuser

Give the gift of aromatherapy with this compact diffuser that creates a relaxing, calming environment by gently dispersing your favorite essential oils throughout the room.

Evolution Salt Co. Natural Crystal Salt Lamp

This Himalayan salt lamp works to purify and clean air by emitting negative ions that can help neutralize allergens, dust, pollen, mold, fungus, pet dander, and odors.

Bambu Undercut Series Cutting Board

This sleek, handcrafted cutting board is a cut above thanks to sustainably harvested bamboo that’s both beautiful and durable.

Party Hostess Gifts

These party presents are perfect for mixing and mingling.

Hic Harold Import Co. Copper Bar Cocktail Shaker

Shake things up and add a touch of old school glamour to your hostess’ bar setup with a lead-free, copper-finished cocktail shaker.

Thrive Market Paleo Snack Mix

This Paleo-friendly snack mix is downright addictive thanks to savory green banana chips, cashews, and pecans, and a zesty seasoning of turmeric, garlic powder, and sea salt.

Unique Hostess Gifts

Think outside the gift box with these non-traditional finds.

Stainless Steel Straws

These reusable straws help eliminate the 500 million plastic straws Americans use every day. Plus, they’re BPA-, phthalate-, and lead-free. Not to mention, they look super cool in beverages.

Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey KFactor 16

This sweet gift boasts 100% raw organic manuka honey sourced from New Zealand and is known for its wellness boosting and antimicrobial properties.

Back to the Roots Kitchen Herb Garden in a Can

Now you can gift an organic herb garden with everything you need to grow fresh mint, basil, and cilantro using biochar technology that lets you use cans that don’t require draining.

Weekend Hostess Gifts

Spending a weekend with friends or mom and dad? Show some gratitude with these thoughtful contributions.

Eugenys Glass French Coffee Press

Im-press your host with this eco-friendly glass coffee press that brews up to eight cups of rich, full-bodied java.

Level Naturals Soak + Scrub Box

This organic, cruelty-free, bath-and-body set treats your generous host to some much-needed pampering with coffee and sugar body polish, lavender shower bombs, and assorted bath bombs.

Pure Plant Home Lavender Coconut Wax Candle

This soothing, hand-poured, coconut wax candle infuses spaces with a lavender aroma thanks to real, sustainably farmed essential oil.

Dinner Hostess Gifts

These dinner-friendly gifts will be the toast of the party (and if you need ideas for icebreakers, find them here).

Thrive Market Clean Wine

Choose from a wide selection of low-impact, high-quality wines that are hand-selected by master sommeliers and undeniably exceptional from grapes to glass.

Thrive Market Stainless Steel Nesting Trio

Anyone who’s hosted a dinner party knows the chance of leftovers is high. These sustainable food storage containers come in three different sizes made from high-grade stainless steel and BPA-free lids.

Goodbites Truffle Jar

These raw, organic, vegan, and gluten-free truffles include cacao, hemp seeds, coconut oil, honey, goji berries, and Himalayan pink salt for a satisfying superfood boost.

Homemade Hostess Gift Recipes

Give a gift from the heart with these DIY hostess gift ideas.

Salted Caramel Power Muffins

Here’s a genius hostess gift: Bring breakfast for the next morning. These vegan, gluten-free muffins are loaded with superfoods, including a mix of gluten-free flours, almond milk, apple sauce, banana, spinach, and salted caramel protein.

Paleo Pumpkin Bread

This spiced loaf is totally Paleo-friendly thanks to organic pumpkin, maple syrup, coconut oil, and crunchy pumpkin seeds.

Chocolate Almond Butter Raw Crunch Bars

Rich, decadent, and surprisingly easy to whip together, these bars combine chocolate almond butter with maple syrup, coconut oil, raw cacao powder, and brown rice cereal.

DIY Soap Jellies

These jiggly jelly soaps make for a thoughtful hostess gift and come together with just gelatin, essential oils, sea salt, and organic rose soap.

DIY Floral Bath Bombs

These fizzy floral bombs infuse baths with essential oil and soothing Epsom salt for a luxurious, spa-like experience.