30 Best Hostess Gifts That Are Cooler Than Wine and Flowers

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The unofficial job of hostess is one of the toughest out there; after all, the setup, the food, the entertainment, and the conversation can’t all flow seamlessly by themselves. So what do you get the woman who generously put her time and money into making sure your friend group has an unforgettable evening (or whole weekend away at the lake house she occasionally lets you stay at without a second thought)?

That’s a tough quandary, but there are lots of special hostess gift options out there that don’t all revolve around a bottle of red, a fancy nuts gift basket, or a bouquet of bodega flowers (although that last one is never a bad add-on). The selections we’ve rounded up here will put an instant smile on her face—and secure you a definite invite to the next fete.

Devon Slippers

Crafted from performance silk and an oh-so-soft faux shearling lining, these might become the best slippers she’s ever owned. The five vibrant and classy colorways will inspire you to get a pair for yourself while you’re at it.

English Lavender & Calendula Hand Wash

Made in collaboration with the fabrics and wallpapers powerhouse Morris & Co. (and inspired specifically by Morris’s 1882 Blackthorn print), this hand wash is not only a beaut but also smells divine. After all, there are 36 whole drops of English lavender essential oil in every bottle. It came highly recommended by our executive editor, Ingrid Abramovitch.

Rosé

We said we’d get more creative on this roundup than wine, but here us out: Avaline organic rosé deserves the exception. Cameron Diaz called it “light” and “delicious,” so this is a truly fail-proof gift option. The hints of melon and zest only add to its case.

1950s Persian Ceramic Serving Bowl

Contributing to a host or hostess’s home decor is a great way to indicate you’ve spent enough time in their abode to perceive their personal style. This vintage bowl—inspired by Persian tiles and made in Iran—will be a showstopper when placed on the kitchen table or windowsill.

Bianco Edition

Let us introduce you to “sexy Scrabble.” This deluxe version boasts elegant turquoise and gold touches, chic faux ivory letter tiles, a foil-stamped scorepad, and other unique elements. Hours-long word battles by the firepit just got better.

Champagne Coupe Dune

This Champagne flute from Serax’s collab with ELLE DECOR Titan Kelly Wearstler is mouth-blown and made from high-quality potassium glass. Get them four to complete the set, or else mix and match with other must-haves from the collection.

Badminton Set

Sure, pickleball’s hot these days, but don’t sleep on its predecessor—badminton. The pictured set will pair well with their favorite Lululemon outfit and comes with two racquets, two shuttlecocks, plus a carry case. If your hostess loves to stay active, this one’s for her.

Palm Tree Scallop Bath Hand Towels

Weezie is an Atlanta-based home goods store that first got famous via their towels. And what better thing to contribute to someone else’s household than a set of beautifully embroidered, plush towels they’ll actually use on a daily basis?

Rivsalt: The Original

This Himalayan salt grater (stainless steel, Japanese-style) from a Swedish designer has a stand made from natural oak. All of these elements taken together make it a practical and attractive gift for the home.

Sylvie Porcelain Vase

A gift close to $400 is best reserved for a hostess who’s gone above and beyond with her hospitality—across the many, many years you’ve known her. She’ll be absolutely delighted with these Eternity Peonies, which are sourced from Japan, come in a stunning porcelain vase, and smell blissful for over a year (sad, drab petals be gone!).

Elevated Complete Set with Mat and Stand

Devoted pet owners swoon when you buy something expressly for their four-legged loved one, bypassing all conventionally human gifts. This set comes with two bowls (water and slow feeder), a mat, an elevated stand, and bowl lids to prevent sloppy-slash-lovable messes. Plus, it perfectly fits into homes that have a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Fido—and Fido’s mom—will thank you.

Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Top + Hub

If you think about it, this is a self-gift. After all, they’ll likely whip it out at the next barbecue gathering you’re invited to, and for good reasons! This Solo Stove cooking system has wide grates for achieving the perfect sear and a hub that heightens (literally) the cooking experience.

Caviar Set

They have high tastes and standards, so leave it up to this Eli Zabar caviar set to deliver. American Osetra caviar, a mother-of-pearl caviar spoon, crème fraîche, and housemade blini will all make them love you forever—after licking the aforementioned spoon clean of the fishy delicacy.

Meyer Lemon Pop-Up Greeting Card

We don’t want you to get the impression that all hostess gifts have to cost an arm and a leg. Something as simple as a thoughtful card could do, but this one is not simple in the least! Just look at those vibrant, graphic Meyer lemons and that ornate paper pot. The pop-up card (so much better than anything 2D) comes with a blank notecard, envelope, and four Forever stamps. Psst... a tree is planted for every purchase!

Where Should We Begin Game

Relationship guru and psychotherapist Esther Perel’s board game features 200 conversation-sparking prompts and a dice to infuse the game with even more layers of emotional depth. It’s the perfect thing to pull out when you’re gathered with friends over glasses of wine. May the fruitful, eye-opening discussions commence!

Refrigerator Magnets

If your hostess loves impractical yet cute trinkets—but adores nigiri even more—look no further than this set of eight bold, high-quality, and well-reviewed magnets!

Napkin Calendula, pack of 4

Esteemed British printmaker Molly Mahon has created the perfect napkin, and it’s this playful, modern darling with a block-printed floral design of calendulas. Made of heavy organic cotton, it will last long and serve as the backdrop to many tableside memories. Get it in a pack of four to really treat the hostess.

Citronnelle (Lemongrass) Classic Candle

Diptyque is a cult-favorite brand when it comes to candles, and this lemongrass one does the double duty of smelling like a zesty herbarium of flowers while keeping mosquitoes at bay. We dig that French Riviera–inspired label design too!

Martini Set

What can get classier than a martini? Only gifting a martini set! This one from New York City’s legendary West Village institution Via Carota lets you have both the signature or espresso options and comes with two elegant glasses. You’ll be everyone’s favorite person when you show up with this gift in hand.

Southern Mangos

Sending over a fruit basket seems predictable, but these mangoes do it differently. They’re hand-selected, ripe, sweet (like you, the gifter), and a tropical delight they won’t forget.

Tofino Botanical Tablecloth

Another pick approved by our executive editor, this tablecloth works just as well for a formal coworker gathering as it does for a casual, unscripted Friendsgiving dinner under some fairy lights. It’s made of 100 percent cotton, hides stains exceptionally well (one of the main reasons Abramovich loves it!), and doesn’t get intimidated by the washing machine.

Furniture Care Kit

This furniture care kit, from Christophe Pourny’s antique restoration and custom finish studio, says: “I appreciate you and your home.” It features the brand’s bestsellers—like the color-reviving furniture tonic and leather serum—that work overtime to ensure home surfaces remain at peak shininess. BTW, you can choose between lavender, rosemary, or bergamot scents for the tonic and paste.

Monstera Deliciosa

Known as the Swiss cheese plant, the Monstera deliciosa is not a high-maintenance plant in the least. This unconventional gift choice will instantly brighten up their home, and each time they water it they’ll think of you!

Round Coasters

Coasters made of recycled acrylic, with a colorful, swirly design? Now that’s something to drink to. If they’re big on hosting cocktail hours, a gift like this will not disappoint. A hostess can never have too many coasters, after all.

Gingham Apron

If she answers the classic dinner party question with “Anthony Bourdain” and cooks a mean feta pasta, she will be thrilled with this apron. The gingham print is adorable, and the center pockets are basically essential.

Personal Embosser with Stand

Per our audience engagement editor, Julia Cancilla, this personalized book embosser is the best housewarming/hostess gift she’s ever received. Good for embellishing pages with your monogram, address, full name, or that of your dog, the chrome-plated steel tool is something that will last a lifetime and look classy doing so.

Hot Cakes Cake Stand

Let them eat cake, and let them have gorgeous cake stands! The scalloped edges, orange gingham coloring, and raspberry trim on this thing are almost too cute to put anything on top of—so you better believe she’l love the made-in-Spain, eco-friendly stand.

Odin Espresso

Any great hostess will tell you that, at the end of the day she’s sooo very sleepy. Help her beat back those z’s with the helpful kick of this espresso blend, featuring notes of baker’s chocolate, ripe berries, and orange.

Rambler Wine Chiller

This Yeti chiller will make wine-fueled beach trips that much more accessible. It’s got double-wall insulation, a silicone landing pad, and other perks that make Yeti a leader in the outdoor goods space. Plus, that Barbiecore aesthetic is a winner.

Zodiac Cocktail Pick Gift Set

Our market editor, Helena Madden, has pointed this out as a fun gift for anyone who knows their rising sign (or simply appreciates pretty cocktail picks!). The set of 12 can be used to adorn drinks and cheese plates both. Bonus points if the hostess matches the guests with the picks in an astrology-adherent way.

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