Whether you’re looking for a simple hostess gift, or a trying to shop for someone on your list that lives to entertain guests, you’ll find the perfect option in our 2023 Gift Guide for Host or Hostess.
From simple tokens to whimsical games and beautiful additions to their party-throwing collection, you’re sure to find the right gift for your host or hostess at any budget.
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We love to party. We really do! One of my favorite things about adulthood is that I can throw a party anytime I want for any reason I wish. DO I throw a party whenever? No. Because ya know, kids and responsibilities and such. But I’d like to.
I love parties so much that I was a professional event planner or over a decade before hanging up my heels in favor of yoga pants on the daily. But that party planner instinct runs deep.
Those of us who love to party generally love the feel of an event. If you’ve created the right menu, the right drinks, the right ambiance, and the right conversation starters, you know that the group you’ve gathered is going to eat, drink, and be merry with little prodding from you – and that’s a satisfying feeling for any host!
To that end, we’ve rounded up our favorite gift ideas for the entertainers in your life. Our 2023 Gift Guide for the Host or Hostess includes ideas we’ve gifted, gifts we’ve received and adored, and purchases we’ve made for ourselves that we’re certain other hosts will love and cherish!
Shopping for other foodies? We’ve got you covered! Check out our other holiday shopping guides:
✔️ Gift Guide for Coffee and Tea Lovers
✔️ Gift Guide for Bakers
✔️ Gift Guide for Wine, Beer, and Cocktail Enthusiasts
✔️ Gift Guide for Grillers
✔️ Gift Guide for the Colorful Home Cook
Price Disclaimer: prices noted are as of the publish date for this post; current prices may vary.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we truly love!
Little Luxuries for the Host or Hostess (Under $25)
Slate Round Cheese Board ($12): we love slate boards because neutral-toned white and yellow cheeses really pop against the dark background. The slightly rough surfaces also keeps the cheeses stable while cutting. This brand also makes a larger, rectangular board ($19).
Small charcuterie board ($17): what good is a cheese board without fruits and charcuterie to pair with it? This paddle-style board is made of acacia wood, and it’s lovely. It’s perfect for a smaller gathering of 8-10 guests.
Conversation Starters: I really love card games for smaller gatherings, especially if many of the guests are only acquaintances. Monikers ($25) describes itself as “a dumb party game that respects your intelligence” while Tabletopics ($23) is “a little bit racy, but a whole lot of fun”.
Lenox Naomi Bay Chip and Dip Tray ($22): stylish, affordable, and endlessly useful, this chip and dip tray is actually on my wish list this year. With its beautiful pink hue and casual vibe, this is the sort of piece every entertainer wants in their collection.
Trio of Bud Vases ($17): for the entertainer who’s a little bit extra (hi! it’s me!), consider gifting bud vases. You only need a few stems to create a beautiful but classic centerpiece. For someone on your list who’s extra-extra, this set of 10 assorted bud vases ($40) is a great addition to their entertaining collection.
Muse Bath Apothecary Hand Ritual ($13): if you have a host or hostess on your list with every entertaining essential they could ever want or need, luxury hand soap is a great choice. We love this brand because of the quality (both aroma and effectiveness), but also because the packaging doesn’t feel gendered, making great for hosts and hostesses alike.
Modern Serving Spoons ($20): for the price, you cannot beat the look, feel, and quality of these serving spoons. They’re incredibly fresh and modern, and come in ten beautiful color combinations.
Splurges for the Host or Hostess (Up to $100)
Sur La Table Olivewood Cheese Knives ($40): a host can never have too many cheese knifes (and you can quote me on that!). I absolutely love this set from Sur La Table. Not only are they beautiful and functional (these guys are sharp!), they come with a lovely wood storage board.
Extra Long Charcuterie Board ($46): for big events and spreads, this extra long acacia wood board is both perfect, and stylish. With over two feet of length to play with, your host or hostess will have so much fun filling it with cured meats, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, and other small nibbles.
Zwillilng Double Wall Carafe ($35): whether it be juice for brunch or large batch-cocktails, keeping a pitcher of drinks cold long enough for your guests to enjoy it can be a headache. The double-walled design keeps drinks cool. The carafe isn’t huge – it holds about the equivalent of a bottle of wine – so it’s best suited for smaller gatherings.
Lenox Glass pitcher ($42): if you have a host that prefers form over function (I’ve been guilty of that a time or two!) this Lenox pitcher is absolutely beautiful. With clean lines and an ergonomic design, it also fits a variety of home decor tastes.
French Flax Linen Napkins ($35): I can say with some authority that there is no such thing as too many linen napkins. We love the feel of flax linen, and it washes beautifully. These napkins come in a range of modern, vibrant colors.
Lenox Blue Bay Appetizer Tray ($31): y’all this tray is gorgeous, and the perfect size for serving small batch appetizers. We prefer smaller appetizer trays for serving warm appetizers like stuffed mushrooms – limited portions encourage quicker nibbles, making it so much easier to keep refreshing at the perfect temperature. It’s a big bonus that this piece is also microwave and dishwasher safe.
Mora Ceramic Serving Bowls ($35): this set of low serving bowls is stylish, but timeless. These are a great size for passed salads or side dishes around a large, festive table. The ceramic design is sturdy, but not too heavy. I absolutely love that their ceramics are dishwasher safe for easy breezy cleanup!
Lenox Indigo Watercolor Serving Platter ($100): yes yes, Lenox again – I can’t help it, their quality is incredibly outstanding and they’ve added some incredibly chic and modern designs to their collections. This serving tray is a timeless piece with so many uses, from plating a whole pot roast with fixings to serving room temperature appetizers for a crowd.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Camera ($70): help your host or hostess hold onto all of those memories they’re making! The Instax prints 2″x3″ mini polaroids. We love having one around at parties to both cherish the memories, and hand out “favors”. It comes in a variety of colors, but don’t forget the film ($23) which is sold separately!
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