Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Best Hostess Gifts

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The links in this Best Hostess Gifts post are affiliate links which means I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Some items below were provided for review purposes.

My mom taught me it was rude to show up empty-handed but what do you do if your host or hostess insists you don’t need to bring anything? My list of Best Hostess Gifts is here to help!

Best Hostess Gifts

This new gift guide features a curated list of products you can bring so you don’t arrive empty handed or can order to arrive after your departure. They’re thoughtful, range from affordable to extravagant, and don’t require any extra care and feeding by your hostess on the day of their event. Pair any of these best hostess gifts with a hand-written thank you card and you’ll definitely be invited back!

Monogrammed Cocktail Napkins ($16.99 for 100)

Nothing says you’re at a classy get together than monogrammed cocktail napkins! These premium beverage napkins look and feel more like cloth napkins so they’re more luxurious and your host will love you more if you just set out a stack by the bar areas. Bonus points if you level up your gift of monogrammed cocktail napkins by doing a cocktail napkin spiral!

Burts Bees Hand Cream Trio Set ($12.99)

Burt’s Bees Hand Cream Trio is the perfect gift for the host or hostess who insists you don’t need to bring anything. This thoughtful but affordably priced gift will help rejuvenate hands that have been working hard to put on a festive get together. Each hand cream is made of shea butter, baobab oil, and pumpkin seed oil to create a rich, buttery texture that goes on smoothly for all-day moisture. Lavender and Honey, Wild Rose and Berry, and Watermelon and Mint hand creams are lightly scented and ready to gift in festive holiday packaging. Plus this set is TSA friendly if you’re traveling carry-on only to your holiday gathering.

Air Wine Bottle Chiller from Corkcicle ($15 from Amazon, regularly $24.95)

Forgetting to put the white in the fridge ahead of time is something that happens to the best of us so give your host one less thing to worry about by popping the Air Wine Bottle Chiller in the freezer upon your arrival. This freezable wine chiller ice mold will bring your wine to the ideal temperature every time. Just insert your frozen Air into a wine bottle and the cooling stick will cool down your room temperature red wines to cellar temperature in 15 minutes and will keep your chilled white wines at the perfect temperature for up to an hour.

Holiday Conversation Pack from TableTopics ($25 from Amazon)

If you’re trying to avoid discussing sensitive subjects with family around the holidays, bring the Holiday Conversation Pack from TableTopics along! Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, they’ll add a new layer of excitement to your festivities thanks to carefully crafted questions for everyone at the table. These questions are carefully crafted to spark laughter, memories, and resolutions for the holiday season and beyond for young and old. This set includes cards perfect for the upcoming holidays:

  • Thanksgiving With Family: Add a special ingredient to your traditional Thanksgiving with this set of conversation starters. Discover what foods hold sacred places on your Thanksgiving table.
  • A Very Merry Christmas: Bring the joy of Christmas to life with questions that encompass the spirit of the season. Explore holiday traditions, cherished moments, and the magic of this special time of year.
  • New Year’s Eve Revelry: Pop the champagne and ring in the New Year with these conversation starters. Inspire humor, reminiscence, and resolutions with your guests, be they old acquaintances or new friends.

Formulary 55 Soap Set ($31)

*Woman owned small business

Looking for the perfect gift to pack in your carry-on or checked luggage to gift upon arrival? You won’t have to worry about staying under 3 ounces or liquids spilling in your checked bag with this luxurious soap set from Formulary 55. This Colorado-based luxe bath and body line is known for their shea butter-based, vegan handcrafted bar soap that features sophisticated botanical scent blends. They’ve partnered with Cincinnati-based SKT, a local ceramics brand, to offer a soap and soap dish set in two scent/design options. One features a petite guest soap in Formulary 55’s popular unisex Apiary No. 55, a milk and honey scent, and SKT’s Bumble Bee Everything Plate.  The other features a petite guest soap in Honeycomb & Neroli (a fresh, floral and warm scent) and SKT’s Swallowtail Everything Plate. After the soap is gone, the plate is a perfect trinket dish for jewelry and other small objects. If you’re looking to send something after your stay, I recommend Formulary 55’s Bourbon & Vanilla Botanical Bath & Body Gift Set.

Moosa Dried Fruit Infusions ($19.99)

*Fair Trade product that creates meaningful jobs for women in need

 

I love gifting unique items that can be enjoyed after my stay and Moosa Dried Fruit Infusions is a new favorite. Developed in the Andes Mountains of South America by three friends from Ecuador, Moosa is a tea made from South American dried fruits that can be eaten after it has been steeped. Developed. Moosa allows you to sip a hot cup of tea, then eat the fruit afterward with a spoon which is an already popular way of enjoying tea in other parts of the world.  It can be enjoyed hot, iced, or in a cocktail or mocktail.

With no preservatives, added sugars, herbs, caffeine, or additives, Moosa is thoughtfully created using regenerative farming practices that restores soil health and promotes biodiversity. The fruit is hand-selected from local farms then dried —with oven and sun dehydration processes resulting in exceptional taste and nutrition.

Moosa comes in the following blends:

  • Immune Citric (Ginger, Pineapple, Orange, Tamarillo) 
  • Tropical Medley (Pineapple, the infusion of the dried fruit gives the tea a burst of tropical flavors with immune system support, vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberry, Hibiscus)
  • Mixed Berries (Strawberry, Blackberry, Hibiscus, Blueberry)
  • Passion (Passion Fruit and Pineapple)

Puffer Hug 418 ($68.88)

*Part of the purchase price supports improving children’s mental health, wellness, and educational programs

I have been a fan of the original Puffer Hug for years and now the Puffer Hug 418 is my new favorite puffer. Named from the latitudinal position of Chicago (41.8° N) that is home of the Puffer Hug, this lightweight and versatile piece transforms from a cozy scarf to an elevated vest in a snap. I love it because it’s perfect by itself or under a coat for a cozy extra layer of warmth whether you’re commuting, at an outdoor sporting event, walking the dog, trying to stay warm in a chilly office, need an extra layer you can throw on when traveling, and more. The pockets are extra-deep so you won’t need to carry a bag for your phone, keys, dog treats, etc. It makes a great hostess gift because it’s one size fits all, comes in seven different colors, and is an excellent versatile piece that can be used for multiple seasons.

Charcuterie Board and Platter Set ($64.99 from Amazon, on sale from $81.99)

For hostesses that love charcuterie, you can’t go wrong with this amazing 13” charcuterie board and platter set. Made from acacia wood in Germany, this set includes 4 ceramic bowls and 4 stainless steel cheese knives to hold and slice all kinds of cheese types and charcuterie. With all the room you’ll need for crackers, serving utensils, and cutlery for cheese and meat along with side dishes, fruits, crackers, and nuts, it’s perfect for entertaining or for a family charcuterie night.

Gift Box of Spices from Penzey’s (from $14.95)


Penzey’s has the best spices and a gift box of spices makes a fantastic gift for any host or hostess. The Baking Mini is perfect for any baker, you can’t go wrong with the Grill & Broil Box for guys who love to grill, friends hosting Friendsgiving would appreciate the Original Mini Gift Box, and families with hot cocoa loving kids will delight in having the Cocoa CuddleGift Box for the winter season.

Fall Flannels Lip Balm Set from Delight Naturals Lip Balm ($13.99)

Give your host or hostess the gift of smooth lips for the season thanks to the Fall Flannels Lip Balm Set from Delight Naturals Lip Balm. This woman-owned company makes their natural, simple ingredient lip balms are handcrafted in small batches out of beeswax and coconut oil in Idaho. This gives them an incredibly smooth texture, best quality, and flavor. This set includes Kettle Corn, Vanilla Chai, Spiced Pear and Butter Toffee. If you’re not sure your host or hostess will like this set, there are a variety to choose from! Visit the Lip Balm Sets part of the site and check out ones like Harvest Pies, Holiday Treats, Mint Kisses, Cuppa Tea, Sweet Bouquet, Bakery Sweets, Caffeine Rush, and more!

Cheeky Cocktails 9 Bottle Kit ($91)

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I love good mixers that can be used for cocktails and mocktails and Cheeky Cocktails are a delicious gift for any hostess’s holiday gathering. Cheeky is made with 100% real ingredients and never uses artificial flavors, colors, or nasty preservatives in their premium natural syrups and juices. Their 9 Bottle Kit features syrups that can add creativity to daily routines or turn ordinary moments into memorable experiences and gives you the ability to make over 50 different kinds of cocktails. This complete set of Cheeky products makes a great gift for any gathering or to help your host or hostess replenish their bar after your stay. Order now to enjoy for Thanksgiving, holidays, or New Years Eve get togethers.

Thrive Journal ($48)

*Woman owned small business

Image courtesy of Elena Sonnino via Instagram

Staying with someone provides an opportunity to connect, have meaningful conversations, and reflect in a way that can’t happen over texts and social media. But how do you keep that momentum going to stay inspired? Meet the Thrive Journal, a wonderful way to say thank you to a hostess after a stay because it feels like a warm hug. Developed by longtime friend, Elena Sonnino, the Thrive Journal is a hybrid planner and journal designed to help users embrace a life of intentional, embodied, and unapologetic living.

This beautiful champagne colored journal features Thrive in gorgeous script across the front. Since there are no dates on pages, Elena encourages users to start using their Thrive Journal right away. The core values can be used to identify a vision of what “being” looks like and go from there. The monthly pages and prompts aid in reflection, brainstorming, setting monthly intentions, and accountability. The weekly pages are intended to clear away the clutter that accumulates in one’s mind to live with purpose, guided by your values. The best part is there isn’t a right or wrong way to use this journal, other than not using it at all. To learn more about using the Thrive Journal, watch Elena’s Meet Your Thrive Journal video.

Movie Night Popcorn Set ($22 on Amazon)

If you’re planning a movie night or a marathon watch session of a favorite series with your hosts over Thanksgiving or the holidays, Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn Set is a perfect gift to bring along. This five-spice set includes White Cheddar, Sweet & Salty Kettlecorn, Chili Lime, Buttery Caramel and Sizzling Sriracha gourmet popcorn seasoning that can be used on potatoes, nuts, and chips too. If you prefer your popcorn sweet, Urban Accent also offers a Sweet Shoppe Popcorn Set ($22) with Sweet Cinnamon Toast, Confetti Birthday Cake, Cozy Pumpkin Spice, Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn and Buttery Caramel Corn seasonings.

Fireplace Matches ($34.99 for a set of 2 from Amazon)

You can’t underestimate the gift of good matches in a home. These 10” long matches are perfect for lighting candles or fires. Each tube comes with 75 which means there are plenty for gatherings and cozy evenings around a fire. A built-in striker can be found at the end of the tube for easy lighting. This set of two can be paired with a candle snuffer for a thoughtful thank you gift that can be used well after you leave.

Lavazza Holiday Blend ($6.79 from Amazon)

Coffee drinkers who are particular about their beans can give the gift of good coffee by bringing your own or have some sent ahead of time. If you’re planning on ordering some to have it there when you arrive, you can’t go wrong with Lavazza Holiday Blend. The bag features a beautiful design by Rifle Paper Co. and it’s already ground so you don’t have to worry if your host has a coffee grinder or not.

Insulated Wine Cooler Bag ($20.99 from Amazon, regularly $29.99)

Planning on bringing wine to your host or hostess? Gift it in this stylish insulated wine tote cooler bag. It holds 3 bottles and includes a corkscrew so it’s perfect for keeping bottles safe in transit and gifting to your host upon arrival. Or if you’re flying, order and pack the Insulated Wine Cooler Bag in your luggage and purchase bottles when you reach your final destination.

Thank You Candle from Copper Fox Co Candles ($24.99 from Amazon)

*Family owned and operated business in Utah

Candle lovers will love a thank you in the form of a candle. These large 14 oz natural soy wax candles are hand poured and burn for over 60 hours. Copper Fox Co thank you candles come in three designs and two different scents: Sea Salt & Orchid and Warm Sugar Vanilla. The elegant, frosted glass and wood lid are a classy and affordable way to say thank you beyond a card.

AquaSprouts Fountain ($155.95, regularly $169.95)

A thoughtful way to say thank you is by sending a beautiful gift that can be enjoyed indoors and out like AquaSprouts Fountain. AquaSprouts Fountain adds a touch of beauty and a splash of life to any room or outdoor space with since it’s an eye-catching piece that has a water feature and a planter.  The fountain can be used as an aquaponic or hydroponic system, or a simple water garden to create a serene office space or add a splash of color to a patio in the warmer months. I love how versatile this kit is and the recipient will too!  

Hot Toddy Gift Basket ($120)

For hot toddy loving hosts and hostesses, send the Hot Toddy Gift Basket to arrive after your departure. Packed in a wooden keepsake crate, this hot toddy gift set for two comes with everything they’ll need for a quiet relaxing evening in after their host duties are over. Just add hot water and enjoy!

Includes:

  • 2 Glass Hot Toddy Mugs
  • 5 Ernest Hemingway Highland Select Tea Bags
  • 2 Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey minis
  • 2 100% Pure Raw Honey Packs
  • Dardiman’s Crispy Orange Slices
  • Lark Cranberry Oat Chip Cookies
  • Lark Salted Caramel Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • toffee Milk Chocolate Toffee with Nuts
  • Wooden Crate

The Relaxing Candle & Gourmet Tea Gift Set ($80)

If hot toddies aren’t your host’s thing, order and pack The Relaxing Candle & Gourmet Tea Gift Set. This gift box makes a lovely thank you gift for anyone who loves and appreciates burning beautiful, scented candles and relaxing with a hot (or cold) cup of delicious tea. The gift set includes a 7oz scented candle of your choice, a gourmet tea of your choice, and set of 4 spoons packaged in a beautiful premium matte black gift box. Every gift box includes a blank note card so you can write an expression of thanks with your gift.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

Below is the entire list of what you can look forward to this year. These links will go live as guides are published so bookmark or pin this post now so you can come back to it as you do your holiday shopping since I’ll be updating it often!

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at last year’s gift guides that are full of great ideas:

Note to PR: I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides which will publish through December. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and if you’re able to offer a reader giveaway. Giveaway items will be directly shipped to readers upon conclusion of the giveaway. Thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to publish gift guides and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year or send links once posts are live.