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These hostess gift ideas are a nice, simple way to show you appreciate your hostess’ hospitality and care when you’re a guest in their home. Here are some ideas for little luxuries they’re sure to appreciate when the party is over.
With the festive season just getting underway and many people gearing up to host and attend holiday season gatherings of all types and sizes, now is a great time to get your thank you gifts and hostess gift ideas in order. For most casual events, a little something special is all that’s needed to show your appreciation for the time and effort that your host or hostess has put into preparing for everyone to have an enjoyable time. If you plan ahead, you can ensure that you’ll have a few little things ready and won’t be left scrambling at the last minute. Try to think of little luxuries that your host might not usually buy for themselves, something that will be a nice little treat for them to enjoy after all the hustle and bustle of the event is over. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for any occasion.
Read next: 5 Semi-Sneaky Secrets of People Who Are Really Good at Christmas
Gentle Reminders for Hostess Gifts
- It’s best not to bring something with the expectation that the items be used immediately, either as food or decor. Think instead about something they can enjoy while cleaning up after an event or the next day. While many hosts will be quite casual about their plans for a gathering or event, some will have gone to a great deal of effort to plan menus and drink selections, and bringing something that needs to be served immediately may put a kink in their plans, or at least make things a bit awkward. A food item for breakfast or a treat the next day is a safer bet if you want to bring something edible.
- If you know your hosts love antiques, consider pairing a find from your favorite antique market with your gift, like some antique stemmed glassware with a bottle of champagne in a vintage basket or a pair of vintage brass candlesticks with a cute bottle of matches and a beautiful pair of taper candles. This would make a really thoughtful, sustainable gift idea.
- Flowers or a plant are a lovely choice to tuck in with other items or as stand-alone, unique gift ideas for any hostess, but make sure they’re in a pre-made arrangement so your recipient doesn’t have to rush around looking for a vase and pruning shears to make the arrangement themselves.
- Any gift is better with homemade treats to be enjoyed at the end of the evening or with afternoon tea the next day: Pair your gift with easy homemade peppermint bark or ritz bark for a personal, handmade touch.
- Don’t forget the thank you note! We don’t write enough thank you notes in our world today, and we all know how much they’re truly cherished for Christmas and at any time of year. The best gift of appreciation is taking a moment to write out your thanks in a beautiful little note card or greeting card that they can display and enjoy along with their other holiday cards.
Favorite Little Gifts for Holiday Hosts
Pictured above: Fig jam | Christmas in NYC mug | Bright red tote bag | Bottle of matches | Winter art thank you cards | Call it Home book | Bordeaux Fig reeded glass candle | Watercolor kit | Red plaid tea towels
You can’t go wrong with a few special gourmet treats for an easy but special breakfast the day after a big party. Tuck freshly baked local croissants into a useful boat and tote bag along with a beautiful jar of jam, a holiday mug, and some pretty plaid tea towels to make your host feel very well taken care of when they wake up the next day.
Maybe they would enjoy an afternoon of relaxing with an inspiring design book, a delicious-smelling candle, and some fancy matches to light it. Choose a popular book or cookbook title in an area of their interest, like home decor, baking, gardening, or travel, so that they’ll be sure to enjoy adding it to their collection.
What could be more luxurious than taking the time to play at a new hobby during the busy Christmas season? I love this cute watercolor set that serves as an invitation to slow down and enjoy.
Any thank you card will be well-appreciative, but my favorites are the ones that are so beautiful that you almost want to frame them and use them as art. I love this set of winter-themed art cards that your host will want to display all season long.
More easy Christmas ideas: Simple Christmas Decor Ideas Using Things You Already Have
Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.