Want a hostess gift that they’ll actually appreciate? Great gifts for a host are thoughtful, useful, and intentional. These are some of the best hostess gifts out there because they are all three of those things – plus they’re all reasonably priced, easy to grab last minute, and perfect for any kind of party!
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The Best Hostess Gifts
As you can probably guess since I own a party planning website, I host a lot of parties, and I get a lot of hostess gifts. I’m here to tell you that most of the time those hostess gifts get put on a shelf somewhere to never be used again or sometimes regifted because they’re cute but just not my thing.
I want to help you give your hostess a gift they’ll actually want because if you’re spending money (or time) on someone, you want it to be something they’re not just going to shelf. We’re curated a list of the great hostess gifts so not only will your money be well spent, but the host will receive a gift they actually appreciate!
Unique Hostess Gifts
If you want to bring something thoughtful but still practical, these are unique enough that your host likely won’t have them already. But they’re also practical, cute, and festive – all things that I would love to get!
All of these are in the $10-$15 range, making them perfect for a hostess gift!
Festive Reusable Dishcloths
These gorgeous dish cloths are perfect because they’re reusable, festive, and just a lot of fun! Your host likely doesn’t have anything like this and they can use them for any occasion or just throughout the holiday season – plus these ones are Swedish and just beautiful!
Forget the normal candle warmer or a candle and get this gorgeous candle warming lamp instead. It can be used in a party, in a bathroom (for relaxing after the party), or even in a bedroom. And it’s way prettier than a standard candle warmer. You could also get a candle, but I don’t recommend it – I feel like candles are a very personal preference thing!
This cute holiday gnome pastry brush is perfect for brushing egg washes, butter coatings, and more on all the holiday treats and eats! And it’s way cuter than a typical one – definitely a fun and festive hostess gift!
This darling mushroom shaped toothpick holder is unique but still practical – and I can almost guarantee your host doesn’t already have something like it! And as someone who loves unique pieces to add to my table, I’m guessing your host does too!
Grab one of these gift card holders and add a small gift card that the host can use to do something for themselves after the party. I’m thinking like a $10 Starbucks gift card or similar. And these Friends themed holders are the perfect way to gift it!
If your host has a sense of humor or likes fun things, this crab utensil holder is cute and a creative yet practical gift! I know I personally would love something practical but still fun like this!
This is one of those gifts that your host didn’t know they needed until you gave it to them. An electric lighter is awesome because they’re no flames, no oil, no smoke involved – it can be used to light all sorts of things just like magic. You could even add a pretty candle with it if you really want or just do the lighter because they likely already have candles!
Grab one of these cute holiday Scrub Daddies (my favorite cleaning tool ever) and add a coupon to help clean up after the party (or another day) with it. I promise it’ll be one of the best gifts your host receives because most people just leave and don’t help clean up!
These are way more fun than Sharpies to write on glasses, especially for hosts who like throwing parties for adults! Write on glasses, dishes, and more with these fun markers! This is another one of those gifts I’d likely not buy for myself, but I’d love to get!
A clever version of a hot chocolate gift basket, this hot cocoa in a jar gift is the perfect cozy gift for a host! And perfect for them to relax once the event is over!
Choose a fun and easy to learn party game that your family loves to gift to your host because let’s be honest, you can never have too many games (as long as they’re different). This is one of our current favorites because it’s a quick 20 minute game that’s easy to learn, good for most ages, and just a lot of fun!
This beautiful cookbook holder would be fun to gift for a host to hold up their favorite cookbooks! Plus, this particular one has kitchen measurements – something I know I’d love to have visible for all those times I forget them!
These beautiful thank you cards would make a great hostess gift who I’m guessing probably writes thank you cards to people. I know I’m always looking for cards to write to people for helping me out with things! And these ones are gorgeous, neutral, and perfect for any occasion. Oh and it’s okay to take one out and write a personalized thank you note to your host!
Some of the best hostess gifts I’ve ever received are things that people made themselves just for the occasion! There’s just something about putting that little bit of extra effort into the gift that makes it even more special!
Pinecone Fire Starters
These gorgeous winter colored pinecone fire starters are easy to make on your own! Put a few in a bag, add a cute little tag (included with the instructions), and these make a great customizable hostess gift!
There’s nothing better than the smell of a simmer pot during the holiday party! Use this recipe to make your own and give them out as hostess gifts throughout the season!
These pretty ornaments are easy to make and give out as hostess gifts during the Christmas holiday! If your host is anything like me, they’ll love having something extra to add to their tree and it’ll make them remember you every time they trim their tree!
This fun tutorial teaches you how to add a custom recipe onto a cutting board! Gift it with one of your favorite recipes for something a host can not only use but also display because it’s just beautiful!
These personalized coasters are one of my favorites on this entire list! Grab pictures from your host’s social media channels and print them out to make these custom coasters! I love how simple these are but so thoughtful!
These photo magnets are another personalized hostess gift that I love so much because of the thought behind them! Grab some fun photos of you with the host or the hosts family and turn them into magnets they can use throughout the house!
These cute engraved wood spoons would be a fun hostess gift when combined with a gorgeous dish towel! You could make them fun words like this creator did or make them ones that signify inside jokes between the two of you!
If you’re not crafty but still want to make your hostess gift, these edible gifts are some of our favorites for gifting to others! They make the best hostess gifts, neighbor gifts, or even teacher gifts!
Christmas Bark
Unlike so many chocolate barks, this one combines the fixings for a s’more in a unique Christmas bark that has gone viral every year for a reason. It’s delicious, easy to make, and makes a great gift!
Fudge is one of those classic holiday treats that makes a great gift because it lasts so long! Wrap up individual pieces, add one of these Christmas gift tags, and it’s the perfect hostess gift!
There’s a reason they sell these at the mall throughout the holiday season – everyone loves them! And this version is one you can make in your slow cooker with very little effort at all. Make a bunch and use them as hostess gifts and neighbor gifts!
Forget the cookies and try this edible peppermint cookie dough instead! Wrap it up so they can enjoy it after the party is over or for the next week! If you don’t want to do peppermint, you could do this edible sugar cookie dough instead!
This cranberry orange bread is one of our highest rated recipe for a reason – everyone loves making it in bulk and giving it out throughout the holiday season for gifts! There are even gift tags to use to turn it into a perfect hostess gift!
I wish I could tell you how much I loved getting homemade hot fudge as a hostess gift one year – it’s so much better than the store bought stuff! If you want to take this up a notch, you could add it to a few ice cream bowls and sprinkles!
This Christmas snack mix is perfect because you can make an entire batch and it lasts for up to two weeks, so you could use it for hostess gifts throughout the holiday season! Plus, they can still enjoy it after all of the party leftovers are gone! Or if you want something not so Christmasy, these hot chocolate muddy buddies are great too!
While these aren’t quite as trendy as they were a few years ago, that doesn’t mean people don’t still enjoy them – especially if they have kids! Make up a batch of these hot chocolate bombs and gift them with a cute holiday mug for a really fun hostess gift idea!
If you don’t want to bring something or make something, this is my favorite hostess gift of all. Seriously, I wish everyone would do this instead of bringing me a gift – or do both!
Offer to help. Forget the gift and give your host something she desperately needs but likely won’t ask for. Sincerely offer to help clean, help setup beforehand, clean up after, watch her kids the morning of, or even just bring a dish to share. The key is to make sure it’s something the host will actually want.
And that’s it – my all-time favorite gift!
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valda
Hi Britni,
I love all your DIY and your helpful hints and crafts.
My name is Valda.
I am making bridal shower gifts for my cousin. Anyway I can change the
wording?
I am making soaps and wanted it to say:
From Mimi’s Shower to Yours
12/5/15
I like the round scallops medium purple tags.
I tried to email you but it was rejected.
I will greatly appreciate if you can help me.
I have wasted so much paper and ink.
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