Food and Recipes Holiday and Occasion Food The 50 Best Host And Hostess Gift Ideas To Show Your Gratitude A thoughtful gift shows our friends and family that we appreciate them opening their homes to visitors. By Southern Living Editors Updated on January 23, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Williams Sonoma From a young age, our mothers taught us the value of Southern hospitality. Whether it's sending a thank you note to a grandparent for a birthday gift or keeping our elbows off the table, our Southern manners are encouraged from the beginning. So, it's only natural that when we go into another's home for a dinner, a party, or even an overnight stay, that we choose to bring a host or hostess gift. A thoughtful gift shows our friends and family that we appreciate them opening their homes to visitors. Whether you are looking for food hostess gift ideas or host gifts that a couple would enjoy, we've pulled together our best hostess gift ideas in a wide range of categories. Host and hostess gifts don't need to be expensive or elaborate; some of the most thoughtful gift ideas are under $25, which you'll find as some of our top picks. These gifts—everything from charming serving pieces to tasty boxes of chocolate to fun party games—will be loved by any hostess. Our Top Picks Williams Sonoma Dried Pink Strawflower Bouquet, Set of 2 at Williams-Sonoma Jump to Review Calary Candle Accessory Set at Amazon Jump to Review Weezie Tissue Box Cover at Weezietowels.com Jump to Review Uncommon Goods Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio at Uncommon Goods Jump to Review How to Cook Without a Book at Amazon Jump to Review Uncommon Goods Traditional Bread Warming Set at Uncommon Goods Jump to Review Capri Blue Volcano Multi-Surface Cleaner at Amazon Jump to Review Williams Sonoma Infused Olive Oil Gift Set at Williams-Sonoma Jump to Review Juliet Meeks Birth Month Flower Tea Towels at Uncommon Goods Jump to Review Williams Sonoma Woodford Reserve X Williams Sonoma Cocktail Mix, Old Fashioned at Williams-Sonoma Jump to Review Williams Sonoma Dried Pink Strawflower Bouquet, Set of 2 Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma While fresh flowers are nice, we love this pretty dried bouquet that can be enjoyed year-round. Price at time of publish: $25 Calary Candle Accessory Set Candle Accessory Set. Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon A candle-loving hostess will appreciate this gift set so she can care for and prolong the life of her favorite scents.Price at time of publish: $13 Weezie Tissue Box Cover Weezie View On Weezietowels.com Available in four patterns, this tissue box will keep tissues accessible for guests and act as a decoration instead of an eyesore. Price at time of publish: $40 Uncommon Goods Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods She can use these sugar cubes to almost instantly transform a class of bubbly into a mimosa. Price at time of publish: $30 How to Cook Without a Book Amazon View On Amazon The updated version of the classic cookbook aims to help readers learn the techniques and variations needed to be able to cook without looking at a book.Price at time of publish: $23 Uncommon Goods Traditional Bread Warming Set Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Deliver warm bread to dinner in this warming set and leave it for your host as a thank you for a wonderful evening.Price at time of publish: $48 Capri Blue Volcano Multi-Surface Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon View On The Container Store She'll look forward to cleaning after the party is over because she'll get to use this cleaner from Capri Blue that will fill her home with their signature Volcano scent.Price at time of publish: $15 Williams Sonoma Infused Olive Oil Gift Set Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma This gift set includes olive oil in four infused flavors: Blood Orange, Roasted Garlic, Aromatic Basil, and White Truffle. Price at time of publish: $40 Juliet Meeks Birth Month Flower Tea Towels Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods An entertainer can never have too many tea towels. Personalize your pick to her favorite flower, birth month, or what's in bloom this season. Price at time of publish: $16 Williams Sonoma Woodford Reserve X Williams Sonoma Cocktail Mix, Old Fashioned Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Williams Sonoma worked with Kentucky-based Woodford Reserve to create this cocktail tasting set that includes three mixers: Mint Julep Syrup, Old-Fashioned Syrup, and Whiskey Sour Mix. Price at time of publish: $40 CB Station Multi Bottle Wine Tote Tuckernuck View On Tnuck.com This gift was made for a hostess who can never have enough wine. The cheeky "BYO" monogram is sure to give everyone a laugh when they realize what it stands for (Bring Your Own). Price at time of publish: $32 MaxMark Custom Monogram Return Address Stamp Amazon View On Amazon The best thing about this personalized gift is that it comes with free monogramming.Price at time of publish: $25 Bella Cucina Herb Infused Salt Gift Set Food52 View On Food52 Upgrade your friend's spice cabinet with a collection of jarred salts accented with herbs such as Calendula & Chive, Rose & Peppercorn, Citrus & Fennel, and Rosemary & Lavender. The assortment can be used to flavor fish, meats, and more. Price at time of publish: $54 World Market Glass Flared Wine Decanter World Market View On World Market Serving wine just got prettier with this simple yet elegant glass decanter.Price at time of publish: $10 Deco Himalayan Salt Shot Glasses, Set of Four Amazon View On Amazon This set of tequila shot glasses is guaranteed to get any party started. Price at time of publish: $20 Anthropologie USB Candle Lighter Anthropologie View On Anthropologie This lighter is designed to last forever, so she'll always be able to light her favorite candles. Price at time of publish: $30 Sur La Table Small Tile Oven Gloves Sur La Table View On Sur La Table Heat-resistant gloves will help her safely move heavy casserole dishes in and out of the oven.Price at time of publish: $28 Sweet Water Decor Thank You Candle Amazon View On Amazon Essential oils, a soy wax blend, and 100% cotton wick help this candle (with notes of sugared fruits) burn cleanly and evenly. Price at time of publish: $20 AudreyDurdenCo Monogrammed Acrylic Napkin Holder Etsy View On Etsy Pair this personalized napkin holder with a pack of seasonal napkins for a complete gift that she can put to use right away.Price at time of publish: $10 Kelly Kalus Ceramic Herb Trimmer & Bowl Set Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Using and prepping fresh herbs from her garden just got easier, and more elegant. Price at time of publish: $32 Ticket Chocolate Chocolate On A Stick Anthropologie View On Anthropologie These sticks are a fun and unique way for your hostess to enjoy a warm holiday drink Price at time of publish: $17 Red Clay Spicy Margarita Salt Gift Box Red Clay Hot Sauce View On Redclayhotsauce.com Have a friend who loves margaritas? This duo of Southern-make salts will be a welcome (and much-used) addition to her bar. Price at time of publish: $18 ShopAnnaGrams A Toast to the Host Wine Hang Tag Etsy View On Etsy Keep some of these personalized wine tags on hand so you'll always be prepared, even at the last minute.Price at time of publish: from $8 for 6 Oliver Pluff & Co. Mulled Apple Cider Spice Kit Amazon View On Amazon Mulling spices will not only add delicious flavor to cider, but it'll make her home smell delightful.Price at time of publish: $20 Williams Sonoma Lavender Cedarwood Guest Set Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma This trio of a votive, hand soap, and hand lotion will be a welcome addition to any guest bathroom.Price at time of publish: $35 Southern Living Blue & White Chinoiserie Collection Trivet Dillard's View On Dillards.com Help your hostess protect her countertops and table in style with this decorative trivet.Price at time of publish: $12 Punch The Mini Bar Cocktail Recipe Book Collection The Mini Bar: 100 Essential Cocktail Recipes. Punch View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Urban Outfitters Organized by the base ingredient, eight small books share 100 classic cocktail recipes any hostess will love having on hand. Included bases are whisky, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, champagne, sherry, and amaro.Price at time of publish: $20 Gather by Anthropologie Streamlined Cake Serving Set Anthropologie View On Anthropologie This charming knife set is best gifted along with your favorite cake. Be sure to include a recipe card as the perfect finishing touch.Price at time of publish: $34 1-800 Flowers Simply Chocolate Thank You Personalized Box 1-800-Flowers View On 1800flowers.com We'd like to argue that the next best thing to giving your hostess a homemade dessert is a box of chocolates. Inside, you'll find a mix of dark chocolates, milk chocolates, brittles, and caramels.Price at time of publish: $47 Totally Bamboo Pineapple Serving Board Amazon View On Amazon A charming pineapple-shaped cutting board serves double-duty as an adorable serving plate for party appetizers.Price at time of publish: $20 Tocca Wonders Mini Hand Cream Set Nordstrom View On Nordstrom These luxurious hand creams come in sets of three so she can keep one in her purse, one on her vanity, and one in the kitchen.Price at time of publish: $24 World Market Clear Beaded Glass Cake Stand World Market View On World Market A pretty cake plate will serve as the best place to showcase her finest confectionaries.Price at time of publish: from $7 Southern Living Acacia Wood 3-Piece Cheese Tool Set Dillard's View On Dillards.com Every hostess needs a beautiful cheese serving set, like this one from The Southern Living Collection at Dillard's.Price at time of publish: $14 Mark and Graham Ceramic Catchall Mark & Graham View On Markandgraham.com A monogrammed catchall is a gender-neutral gift that anyone can use for keys, jewelry, and other odds and ends.Price at time of publish: from $35 Eppicotispai Fettuccine Pasta Cutter Photo: Caitlin Bensel View On Sur La Table Just like Mom's—except smaller. A mini (13" x 1 1/2") beechwood rolling pin that'll cut fresh sheets of pasta dough into tender strands of her favorite noodle. Choose between spaghetti, fettuccine, or tagliatelle. Price at time of publish: $8 Nifty Jacquard Pot Holder Anthropologie View On Anthropologie If she's always busy in the kitchen, it's probably time to replace her well-loved pot holders with a new machine-washable one that's just as decorative as it is useful.Price at time of publish: $14 Daysie The Trio - Organic Syrups Daysie View On Enjoydaysie.com This trio of simple syrups is sure to delight any coffee-loving hostess. The organic syrups have a short and clean ingredient list while still delivering plenty of flavor. Plus, you can break this set into three gifts or give it as one.Price at time of publish: $42 Games Room After Dinner Trivia Anthropologie View On Anthropologie If she's constantly throwing dinner parties, this game will be the perfect addition to her game collection. You can break it in by playing in the first round.Price at time of publish: $12 Vin Fresco Electric Wine Opener Amazon View On Amazon Opening wine is made easy with this electric opener that opens a bottle with just one button. The rechargeable tool can open up to 30 bottles of wine per charge.Price at time of publish: $30 Vino Marker Wine Glass Pens Washable Drink Markers Vino Marker View On Amazon These glass markers can be used on wine bottles, wine glasses, mason jars, and the list goes on.Price at time of publish: $11 Capri Blue Volcano Room Spray Amazon View On Amazon Any hostess will love being able to instantly fill her home with Capri Blue's iconic Volcano scent. Price at time of publish: $28 Mud Pie Dip Bowl Set Amaz View On Amazon Because it's not a party unless there's at least one dip involved.Price at time of publish: $19 Le Creuset Pie Bird Le Creuset View On Lecreuset.com We think it's time to bring this old-fashioned tool back to the kitchen to help bake the perfect pie.Price at time of publish: $16 Anthropologie Marais Taper Candles, Set of 2 Anthropologie View On Anthropologie If you're attending a dinner party, chances are the hostess will light a candle or two. Refresh her stash as your gift—this set of two taper candles comes wrapped and ready to deliver. Price at time of publish: $17 Williams Sonoma Linen Double Hemstitch Coasters, Set of 6 Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Linen coasters can be both practical and personal. You can get them monogrammed and choose a color you know will match the décor of your hostess's home. Price at time of publish: $25 for 6 Melville Candy Lemon Honey Tea Spoons Amazon View On Amazon Pair with a delicious herbal tea so the hostess can relax after the party is over.Price at time of publish: $17 TableTopics Dinner Party Edition Amazon View On Amazon Each Tabletopics cube includes 135 questions, so there will never be a lull in conversation. This version was created specifically for dinner parties.Price at time of publish: $25 Brumate Winesulator Wine Canteen Brumate View On Brumate.com Brumate's Winesulator will keep a full bottle of wine chilled for hours.Price at time of publish: $25 Anthropologie Nadya Ribbed Watering Can Anthropologie View On Anthropologie Watering her plants will become something she looks forward to because she'll get to use this handcrafted glass vessel, which comes in three colors. Price at time of publish: $32 Rifle Paper Co. Garden Party Fabric Journal Rifle Paper Co. View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com View On Riflepaperco.com We all need somewhere to jot down to-dos, and this cute notepad is just the right spot.Price at time of publish: $10 Terrain Orchid in Pot Glass Ornament Anthropologie View On Anthropologie No matter if she has a green thumb or not, she'll be able to keep this orchid alive for years to come.Price at time of publish: $44 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit