Is it just us, or is everyone in their hosting 🌼era?
Whether it’s for this holiday season or a festive and spontaneous dinner party, gathering loved ones and coordinating everything — from table to decor to a delectable dinner menu — is a large feat.
So, it’s important to show your appreciation to the host or hostess doing the absolute “mostest.” That’s why the New York Post Shopping team put together one of our most heartwarming gift guides yet: the 43 best host or hostess gift ideas for the holidays. (Related: Best housewarming gifts).
Our sworn-in favorite picks are perfect for men hosts and women hostesses alike, ideal for upcoming holidays (*cough cough*, ♋Thanksgiving and Christmas) and — yes — we even have sections of this roundup dedicated to both budget-conscious and last-minute shoppers alike.
Read on to pick up something special and personal for the person or family welcoming you into their home. You’re bound to make memories to last a lifetime, so adding one of these thoughtful purchases to your shopping cart will serve as a token of your appreciation.
Click to jump to a specific category:
- Best Holiday Hostess Gifts
- Best Last-Minute Hostess Gifts
- Best Host Gifts for Men
- Best Budget Hostess Gifts
Best Holiday Hostess Gifts
Harry & David is known for its exemplary hostess gifts, espꦓecially its Holiday Signature Tower which is fairly priced and makes a wonderful treat for the holidays this year.
The Godiva 24-Piece Cherry Cordial Gift Box is one of the packaged-pretty gifts you can present to the hostess this holiday season. With individually wrapped delectable delicacies, rest assured you’ll win gift-giving this year with this ready-to-go, bow-topped “party in a box.”
Add a Grecian-inspired touch to your host’s home with the Anthropologie Grecian Bust Pot that comes in two size options, both of which are less than $50. Accentuating indoor and outdoor plantings alike, it’ll add some sophistication, classic style and grandeur to any space.
For more options, check out our guide to the best Anthropologie gifts.
The Bona Fortuna Taste of Trapani Pasta Kit isa luxury treat for the hostess in your life, complete with a collection of high-quality ingredients like busiate ancient grain pasta, Sicilian sea salt and organic herb blend, marinara pasta sauce and organic dried basil. Delicioso!
Oh, and it’s a no-brainer for the foodie you know.
For a lovely decor accent your hostess will love, you can’t go wrong with an elegant vase. Shop the Grayson Lane White Stone Modern Vase, a stoneware-crafted option that’s clad with a glossy eggshell finish. It makes a lovely centerpiece, too.
As one of the most luxurious options to buy for your hostess, the Jo Malone London Scented Home Candle is a treat they may not pick up themselves. Its English Pear & Freesia scent has a base note of patchouli, too, creating a luscious scent that’s perfectly packaged in a bow-topped gift box upon purchase.
For more options, check out our guide to the best Nordstrom gifts.
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with an elegant serving platter for your hostess. The Juliska Jardins du Monde Hostess Tray is something she’ll cherish for years, thanks to its scalloped edge and neutral glossy finish. Not to mention, it makes a lovely presentation for less than $100.
We’ve had our eyes on the Kate Spade New York Grace Avenue 2-Piece Dessert Set for a while (*cough cough*, great wedding registry a🅷dd). For a stunning gift for your hostess — especially for the hostess who loves all things bows and feminine flair — this dining room essential also services as a decor piece. Check yes, Juliet.
Tapping into the “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired checkerboard print, the Mackenzie-Childs Courtly Check Cookie Jar is too precious to pass up. Ideal for the baker and lover of all the unique trinkets, this cookie display is one of our ultimate favorite recommendations.
We’re not going to lie — we own the Uncommon Goods Pistachio Pedestal and it’s a game-changer. Growing up with our families putting out mixed nuts before dessert-time, it’s both chic and practical: pick up nuts off the top tray and place empty shells on the bottom. Genius!
For more options, check out our guide to the best Uncommon Goods gifts.
If you’re looking to treat your hostess to something sweet, Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection is next-level. It’s a premium-grade option she likely won’t snag for herself and you’ll enjoy the freshness and decadence each flavor brings, like Tanzanian dark chocolate with pumpkin seeds to Vermont Creamery cultured butter ganache and cacao dark chocolate.
For more options, check out our guide to the best places to order chocolate online.
For months, we’ve had our eyes on the Williams Sonoma Glass Domed Cake Plate/Punch Bowl. It simply screams ‘ultimate hostess gift,’ thanks to its best-of-both-worlds nature. Hosting a holiday or dinner party? Its cake plate is the elegant display piece. How about drinks and a game night? You’ll find great use for its punch bowl. Not to mention, it’s a great find for less than $75.
More wine glasses are rarely a bad thing, and if you think you have the hang of your host’s style, unique pieces are something that will be used and appreciated for (hopefully) years to come. These iridescent angular glasses are modern in style but just classic enough to go with their current collection.
Best Last-Minute Hostess Gifts
When it comes to ordering fresh flowers online, 1-800-Flowers is one of the best services we reviewed and consistently turn to for all events — from simple ‘just because’ gifts to Mother’s Day. Brighten up your hostess’ day with any of the brand’s blossoming options, one of our favorites being the Vibrant Floral Medley.
Making a stunning last-minute gift, keep in mind that 1-800-Flowers can typically deliver your bouquet on the that you ordered from Monday through Friday, so long as you order by 2:00 p.m. in the recipient’s time zone. It doesn’t get much better than that!
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For the hostess who loves to show off the mostest with cocktails, present to them “The Art of Mixology: Classic Cocktails & Curious Concoctions.” Serving as a bar cart decor piece and an inspiration flip-through, it also pairs well with one of the best cocktail shaker sets we rounded up.
Yes, Amazon delivers fresh plants right to your door — and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Specifically, the Costa Farms Flowering Bromeliad Live Indoor Plant is just $20 and looks great within any space. It’s 12 inches tall, comes with a planter and even have natural purifying benefits that add beauty and cleanliness to your space.
Plus, thi🌄s gif෴t is Prime-eligible, shipping within two days, on average.
We’ve tried Junior’s Cheesecake via Goldbelly (aka, one of the best food delivery services), and it truly, ahem, takes the cake. For the hostess who loves trying new sweet treats, try the top-rated Junior’s Favorites Mini Cheesecake Sampler (18-Pack).
Upon purchase, you’ll receive raspberry swirl cheesecake, red velvet cheesecake and devil’s food cheesecake. You can also schedule your delivery date — and, the best part – each sampler is individually sized so you don’t have to cut a cake and make a mess.
For more made-to-order options, check out our guide to the best cake and cupcake delivery services.
Grab an easy-to-order Amazon hostess gift — and one that’s super on trend, too — with the D’Eco Wine Tasting Flight Sampler Set. We’ve been seeing flights everywhere, from brunch spots in Scottsdale to wineries in New Jersey — and this a♎ffordable option even comes with a chalkboard sectio🌊n (with ) for your hostess to use at her dinner party for a unique addition to the day.
We’re not huge wine drinkers but we trust Firstleaf the most out of many other ready-to-order wine delivery services on the market. Why? After taking a quiz (if you know your hostess well, you can take the quiz for them), you’ll be presented with options that suit your style, along with cards describing each wine and what they pair well with in each box.
However, the brand also offers a 3-Bottle Mixed Bundle for $60 to order ASAP that includes a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi, California; a 2020 Pinot Gris from Columbia Valley, Washington; and a 2020 Vino Rosso from Terre Siciliane, Italy. It’s a wonderful way to try wines hailing from different regions, too.
The Ghirardelli Pick & Mix Premium Chocolate Gift Box is perfectly packaged, comes with 75 chocolate squares and is less than $50 — what’s not to love? What’s great about this hostess gift is the ability to select which flavors you’d like in your box. It’s like trick-or-treating, but better.
As one of the best places to order gift baskets online, Harry & David has a Rolodex of well-bundled options to present to your hostess on your next occasion together. Fitting for any celebration, the brand’s “So Very Thankful” Gift Basket is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for less than $100.
Inside, you’ll find Moose Munch Premium Popcorn, Three-seed crackers, Pepper & Onion Relish, sesame sticks, a Chocolate Decadence Cake, raspberry galettes, a double chocolate chunk cookies and Paradise dried fruit mix [raisins, golden raisins, apricots, cranberries, pineapple, papaya and banana chips].
Present your hostess with gorgeous, match-all serving bowls that will ship in two days’ time, thanks to Amazon. For less than $60, the Le Tauci Ceramic Bowls is a supreme four-pack that will seamlessly blend with any tablescape and will last for years.
Recently (and, fittingly: last minute), we brought the Cameron Hughes Wine Lot 905 2020 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to a family dinner and by the end of the night, the guests kept saying how much they loved the wine. It’s less than $20, comes in a beautiful bottle and is sure to be a delight — especially for red wine lovers.
Pro tip: pick up some wine glasses for a hostess gift upgrade.
Best Host Gifts for Men
Raise the bar at his next soirée with the Crate & Barrel Cocktail Hour Gift Bundle, a refined collection tailored for the dis💫cerning male host. From sleek barware to top-shelf spirits, this ensemble promises to infuse his gatherings with a dash of style and a splash of distinction.
The Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer is easily one of the best gifts to give the host this year (especially if they need a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cut chops every time). Not only that, but this one is smartphone-compatible🐻 and compact enough to fit in your kitchen drawer.
For more options, check out our guide to the best kitchen gadgets.
Top the charts with your next host gift by ordering the BEY-BERK Wine Caddy. When in doubt, this is one of our favorite gifts to recommend (and one we’ve given to a loved one last Christmas), allowing a safe haven for your favorite wine to live when on the go.
We reviewed the Instagram-famous olive oil brand, Brightland, and yes — it’s absolutely worth the hype. Not only are its bottles wonderful to display in the kitchen, but it’s an elevated cooking essential that’ll make your host feel like a million bucks. What’s more, its best-selling duo adds much flavor to any meal.
For more options, check out our expert-backed guide to the best olive oil brands.
We love chips, we love dips and we love The Cellar Chip ‘N Dip Bowl that simply makes us want to entertain a houseful of guests. On a wonderful discount right now, we love its wide capacity and ergonomic tray handles that makes it easy to transport to and from the kitchen.
Upgrade your host’s wine game with the Cuisinart Cordless Wine Opener. It also doubles as a vacuum sealer, is clad with nearly 3,000 rave reviews on Amazon and uncorks 80 bottles on one charge. Even better, its vacuum sealer component will preserve the freshness and flavor of unfinished wines.
Elegant and designed with a modern flair, the Godinger Wine Decanter Carafe is less than $30 right now and ideal to buy for your host — peꦺrhaps even with 💃a bottle of wine. Its simplistic yet useful make is applauded by nearly 3,000 satisfied reviewers, too.
Not to mention, decant🃏ers are some of our favoꦦrite and most-recommended gifts for any type of host.
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Looking for a personalized host gift that’s of the finest quality and ultra-practical for entertaining? The Mark & Graham Wood & Marble Beveled Cheese Board checks all of our boxes: it’s made of marble, looks chic, is great for appetizers and desserts alike, flaunts your host’s initial and is fairly priced.
Personalization is also available, should you choose to add a more✃ cust🧜om touch.
For the plant dad you know, the Rejuvenation Watering Can will surely match his aesthetic and make caring for Monsteras and Philodendrons even more fun. We love its touch of modernity and brass-c🍸oated designꩲ, too.
If the host you’re seeing is obsessed with hot sauce, look no further than TRUFF. The brand’s top-rated Hot Sauce Bundle Pack is just shy of $35 and contains its signature flavor of the brand’s original black truffle formula paired with its hotter offering designed for those who enjoy kicking things up a notch. It’s a must-try brand, for sure.
Best Budget Hostess Gifts
One of our favorite candle brands, hands-down, is Anecdote Candles. Its rich scents all come personalized to a particular recipient or vibe, like this Rooftop Soirée option that’s ideal for your next alfresco dinner moment. After all, it “smells like night air and brut rosé, peony and suede.”
For another favorite, we recommend its candle (well, because hosting is for the adults in the room, anyway). It’s described as smelling “like early nights and steady paychecks” (ha!), with scent notes of fig and cashmere.
For less than $50, treat your host or hostess to the Baked by Melissa Thank You Gift Box 25-Pack to take your appreciation to tasty heights. We can’t get enough of these bite-sized delicacies that comes with a unique flavor selection — from tie-dye and cookies and cream to cookie dough and red velvet (our personal favorite), among others.
We couldn’t resist — the Pottery Barn Gingerbread Handcrafted Napkin Rings (Set of 4) are just too darn cute (and, perfect for the host or hostess’ dinner table this December). Not to mention, you’re snagging a great bundle — thanks to the four pack — and can always add another one to your cart to accommodate additional guests.
Don’t want to pick up a serving tray or food option? For less than $15, we’re enchanted by the Games Room After Dinner Trivia. It’s the perfect post-meal bonding activity that’s sure to spark meaningful and humorous conversations around the table.
For more options, check out our guide to the best adult party games.
Add a natural-looking element to your host or hostess’ home with the JABIHOME 4-Pack Wooden Spoons & Forks Set. We love the botanical-inspired, wooden design they encapsulate and were carefully carved by skilled artisans before being available on the market. Oh, and they’re less than $30 (#score!)
We can’t believe this Lenox platter is just $25 on Amazon (and, with a lovely springtime option that we’re all about using year-round). For a sweet touch your host or hostess will enjoy, we recommend picking it up ASAP before it’s gone.
Yes, we’re recommending hand wash. But not any hand wash — the Moroccanoil Hand Wash. Just like its shampoo and conditioners, the brand specially curates each scent w🅠ith a nod toward ultimate R&R (as you would expect from a top-rated spa). For just $20, select the scent of your c𒉰hoosing. Our favorite is Italian Bergamot, Peppermint and Lemon Oil.
Whenever someone personally asks for a unique gift idea, we always turn to the Personalization Mall Personalized Beverage Tub. Whether you inscribe their last name or write something meaningful (“good times, good friends”), it’s one of the best gifts we’ve given that’s used for many parties and entertaining-filled weekends.
Add a touch of feminine flair to your hostess’ home with the Seliem Anemone Flower Hummingbird Kitchen Dish Towel Set. Who wouldn’t love something as lovely as this two-pack hanging from their wall oven? Even better, it’s a bundle that’s less than $20.
Coasters make a useful and sophisticated gift, with plenty of styles on the market. Above all else, we can’t stop glossing over the West Elm Clouded Agate Coasters — a perfect set of four that’s less than $50. Not to mention, their durable design will last for years of entertaining.
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.