Holidays & Entertaining Gift Guide 2023: 101+ Best Gift Ideas 35 Gifts for Hosts That Actually Feel Special Present them with one of these treasures, and there's no doubt you'll get invited back. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Morgan Noll Morgan Noll Instagram Morgan Noll is a digital associate editor for Real Simple covering home, finance, career, and travel. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 23, 2022 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. anthropologie.com Whether you're thanking your favorite party host—or the kind friend who let you play houseguest for a vacation—finding the right host or hostess gift can be challenging. But these unique gifts for hosts are handpicked to cover pretty much any host personality. From party games to candlesticks, show up to your next soirée or visit with one of these gifts to guarantee a future invite. 7 Magic Phrases Every Host Should Know to Make Guests More Comfortable Our Top Picks Food52 Essential Cotton Table Linens at Food52 Jump to Review Etsy Colorful Glass Candlestick Holders at Etsy Jump to Review Hay Check Hand Towel at Hay.com Jump to Review West Elm Keraclay Speckled Napkin Rings at West Elm Jump to Review Design Within Reach Herman Miller - A Way of Living at Design Within Reach Jump to Review MacKenzie-Childs Royal Check Salt and Pepper Shakers at Bergdorfgoodman.com Jump to Review Jiggy Picnic a la Plage Puzzle at Jiggypuzzles.com Jump to Review Fredericks and Mae Multicolor Large Cutting Board at Ssense.com Jump to Review Anthropologie Morgan Flutes, Set of 4 at Anthropologie Jump to Review Anthropologie Match Cloche at Anthropologie Jump to Review Food52 Hawkins New York Essential Cotton Table Linens Courtesy of Food52 View On Food52 If dinner parties are where your host excels, then these placemats are a perfect way to elevate their tablescape. They come in six different colors, from the mustard yellow shown above, to a neutral olive-tinted brown, and they're machine-washable, making for easy cleanup when the guests leave. Etsy Colourful glass tall candlestick holders Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy These glass candlestick holders are a joy to look at, and with six different colors and styles to choose from, you can mix and match to create a perfectly eclectic set—though they're special enough to stand on their own, too. To complete the gift, throw in a pair of taper candles. Hay CHECK HAND TOWEL Courtesy of Hay View On Hay.com Hand towels can be rather utilitarian, but these colorful check-print towels can add a lot of visual interest to any kitchen or bathroom. They're great for a host who loves bright, playful design. West Elm Keraclay Speckled Napkin Rings Courtesy of West Elm View On West Elm If your host loves minimal yet elevated style, then these clay napkin rings are the perfect choice. The set of four is handmade and features a speckled design with a natural, unglazed finish. Design Within Reach Herman Miller - A Way of Living Design Within Reach View On Design Within Reach A nice coffee table book can add the perfect finishing touch or dash of sophistication to a room that feels like its missing something. If your host is in a new home or apartment, this gift is a great way to help them settle in and fill up their space. MacKenzie-Childs Royal Check Salt and Pepper Shakers Courtesy of Neiman Marcus View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Horchow.com View On Mackenzie-childs.com Small design items can make a big impact—and these salt and pepper shakers are proof of that. Gift your host this set to help them add extra charm to their dining table or kitchen counter. Jiggy Picnic a la Plage, Anthropologie Courtesy of Jiggy View On Jiggypuzzles.com This puzzle is a fun activity and a piece of art in one. Each puzzle comes with special glue and a scraper, so that the completed puzzle can be transformed into wall art. Not to mention, a percentage of every Jiggy Puzzle purchase goes directly to the artist behind the design. Fredericks and Mae Multicolor Large Cutting Board Courtesy of Fredericks and Mae View On Ssense.com If your host likes bold and playful design, they’ll be thrilled about this colorful cutting board. In a multicolor, heavy-duty plastic, this board has form and function, making it great for both food prep and presentation. Anthropologie Morgan Flutes, Set of 4 Courtesy of Anthropologie View On Anthropologie Give your host a toast! These champagne flutes as just as much decor as they are functional glassware, and your host will definitely be excited to use and display them. (If you feel like going the extra mile, a bottle of champagne pairs perfectly with this gift.) Anthropologie Match Cloche Courtesy of Anthropologie View On Anthropologie Lighting a candle will feel even more luxurious with these fancy matches. The hand-blown glass container comes filled with four-inch matches and has a flint on the side for striking. Plus, it’s an object that can live proudly on a display shelf, and not in a messy junk drawer. Uber Eats Gift Card Amazon View On Amazon Hosting is hard work. This convenient gift card is a great way to thank your gracious host, while also encouraging them to take it easy and order in a delicious meal once they’ve worked through any party leftovers. ElementalDesignStore Minimal Concrete Bud Vases Etsy View On Etsy These sleek vases are perfect for dried floral arrangements—and their simple, sculptural lines are gorgeous on their own. Vosges Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection 5 Vosges View On Goldbelly.com View On Vosgeschocolate.com Few hosts or hostesses would turn down a box of chocolates—and they're a perfect treat to enjoy during the post-party cleanup. Vosges dark chocolate collection features unique (and super-delicious) flavor combinations like ginger, wasabi, and matcha in the Black Pearl truffle, or cask-aged balsamic vinegar with hazelnuts in the Balsamico. The 10 Best Gift Baskets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Easyplant Green Snake Plant Easyplant View On Easyplant.com Rather than flowers that will wilt, consider a host gift that's made to last. This sansevieria is hardy and comes potted in a planter that only needs to be refilled every few months to provide the perfect amount of water. Anthropologie Garden Tile Pitcher Anthropologie View On Anthropologie This pretty pitcher will brighten your host's party bar—and can serve double duty as a vessel for flowers, too. La Chatelaine Sulfate-Free Orange Blossom Hand Wash La Chatelaine View On Lachatelainebeauty.com If you're looking for a gift that's both utilitarian and luxe, you can't go wrong with gorgeous hand wash for their guest bathroom. This beloved French soap is infused with organic argan oil and vitamin E that helps keep hands soft—even with frequent washing. (You can pair it with a matching hand lotion if you're feeling extra luxe.) Tea Forte Soleil Presentation Box Tea Forte View On Teaforte.com This special tea collection features teas with a floral, fruit, and botanical bent—in flavors like Darjeeling Quince, Cherry Blossom, Wildflower Honey Citrus, and Wild Berry Hibiscus. It's a special collaboration with the New York Botanical garden, dressed in artwork from its botanical illustration collection—so it'll be worthy of a special place on the counter. Jonathan Adler Basil Pop Candle Jonathan Adler View On Jonathanadler.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue This chic host gift will help clear the air (literally) post party with the fresh, green notes of lime zest, basil fig, and tarragon. The 37 Best Candles of 2023 for Every Scent Preference Frank Lloyd Wright Playing Cards Room and Board View On Roomandboard.com Make their next round of poker or solitaire a little more stylish with these hostess gift-worthy playing cards decked in Frank Lloyd Wright's inimitable designs. French Home 3-Piece Laguiole Cheese Knife Set Sur La Table View On Wayfair View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Home Depot Brighten up your host's charcuterie tray with this charming knife set, which comes in several different color options and is built to last by one of France's most beloved flatware makers. Jeff Nolt Scatter Lawn Game Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Bring this fun Danish game, played with wooden pegs, to the next cookout or picnic, and it'll likely get put to use before the day is done. The 8 Best Picnic Blankets for Every Occasion, According to Our Testing Crate & Barrel Bash Copper Beverage Tub Crate and Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Class up their outdoor bar with a sleek hammered copper beverage tub that'll help chill plenty of beverages. (It comes in other metal finishes, too, for a host who prefers another look.) Subu Indoor/Outdoor Slippers MoMA Design Store View On Moma.org Make the next-day cleanup extra comfy with these puffy, cloudlike slippers that feature durable soles so they can slip them on for trips outside with the trash, too. Julie Pedersen Dessert and Baking Salts Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Any cook worth their salt knows that salt is essential to elevating every dish—even the sweet ones. This set of intriguing flavored dessert salts—from vanilla cardamom to hibiscus—will add an extra oomph of flavor to their dessert. CELIYAHOME Moroccan Patterned Coasters Etsy View On Etsy This set of six brightly colored coasters will help keep party cocktails from messing up their coffee table—and are pretty enough to keep out on display. Hygge Games The Hygge Game Hygge Games View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart For an antidote to party games that create rivalries, the Hygge Game is all about conviviality and connection. With conversation starters that help guests feel closer and more connected, this is the ideal game to break out as guests linger over a candlelit dinner or drink hot cocoa beside the fire. 9 Easy Ways to Cozy Up Your Home The Golden Book of Fortune Telling Jayson Home View On Jaysonhome.com This little golden book not only adds some metallic sparkle to a coffee table, but it doubles as entertainment. Based on their star signs, favorite colors, or a recount of their most recent dreams, guests will get personalized predictions about their futures. Crafthouse Stainless Steel Cocktail Set Food52 View On Food52 For the host who's upped their cocktail game over the past couple years, this sleek set of tools will look stylish set up on their home bar. Uncommon Goods Accordion Paper Vase Light Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Add a warm glow to your host's home with this gorgeous foldable vase with an LED light tucked inside. Le Marais Parisian Croissants and Jam Box Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Give your host a decadent breakfast to enjoy post-party with this set, featuring croissants they can bake themselves from the famed Parisian bakery, French butter, and fresh jam. Rifle Paper Co. Medium Rectangle Serving Tray Rifle Paper Co. View On Riflepaperco.com Pair this festive floral tray with a few muffins or fresh-baked cookies for a special gift that your hostess or host can enjoy after the party. Anthropologie Composite Agate Cheese Board Anthropologie View On Anthropologie There are cheese boards, then there are natural agate cheese boards. Gift the party thrower in your life with a gorgeous handcrafted serving board made out of multi-colored agate. The bright colors will help show off all the delicious hors d'oeuvres you'll soon be devouring. Chronicle Books After Dinner Amusements: Which Would You Choose? Chronicle Books View On Chroniclebooks.com Make sure every party you attend this holiday season is the best time ever by giving the gift of laughter. The game "Which Would You Choose" offers up 50 hilarious and family-friendly questions that ask players to choose between two absurd scenarios that will surely keep you laughing. Pink House Alchemy Dark Cherry Grenadine Syrup Pink House Alchemy View On Pinkhousealchemy.com Everybody wins with this small batch simple syrup: Use it to flavor Shirley Temples for the kiddos and Pink Ladies for the grown-ups. Unlike most grenadine syrups, this one is made with real pomegranates. Five Two Ultimate Apron With Built-In Pot Holders 5 Courtesy of Food52 View On Food52 At any dinner party or cocktail get-together, there's bound to be some running back and forth between the kitchen and the party. Carrying trays of food may be involved and spills may happen—but your host's fantastic party outfit will be saved, thanks to this sturdy (and stylish!) apron. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit