The interior decorator Mark Hampton liked to present a weekend host with one of his small watercolors. Martha loves to show up with an armful of peonies or a basket of freshly harvested asparagus. I have neither a painter's talents nor a garden, but I've come up with my own tried-and-true tokens of thanks: easy-to-assemble packages that are designed to entertain not only those opening their homes but their houseguests, too. Personally, I prefer giving (and getting!) gifts that are useful and fun — classic board games, a cocktail kit, dominoes. And I always put as much thought into wrapping as I do into choosing them. An over-the-top bow is my favorite crowning touch; it’s a gesture the host is sure to remember.

Who doesn't love a cocktail party? It's especially fun when you bring it yourself. I pack the essentials -- a shaker, coasters, straws, umbrellas (we all secretly love them), napkins, a recipe book, plus a can of mixed nuts -- on a bright lacquered tray. (This orange one is perfect for summer.) Then I wrap it all up in cellophane and top it with a colorful bow. It's my way of playing host on one night of my stay.

Lacquered wooden tray, 12" by 12", $22, westelm.com

Sailor Knots paper cocktail napkins, $5 for 20, casparionline.com

Umbrella picks (similar to shown), $4 for a set of 24, crateandbarrel.com

White Lacquer coasters, $14 of 6, westelm.com

Paper straws, in Gray, $7 for 144, kikkerland.com

Recipe cocktail shaker, $30, by Martha Stewart Collection, from macys.com

Bazzini Salted Competition mixed nuts, $32.50 for 4 lb., bazzininuts.com

The Savoy Cocktail Book (Anova Books, 2007), by Harry Craddock, Amazon.com

For a barbecue or a dinner party, Kevin pares the extraavagant weekend gift to a few beautiful pieces: a big stack of napkins, coasters, and festive swizzle sticks.

Stirrers, $1.96 for a set of 6, crateandbarrel.com

Pedra coasters, in Azure, $65 for 4, rablabs.com

Sailor Knots paper cocktail napkins, $5 for 20, casparionline.com

If the occasion calls for a lavish gift, make it one that will last. Handsome playing cards and dominoes, with a smart score pad and pencils, are indulgent but tasteful -- and your host will think of you with every game.

Individual house tablets, $28.50 each, mrsstrong.com

Les 4 Mondes oversize playing cards, $130, hermes.com

Boneyard dominoes, $20, bn.com

Twister, $17, hasbro.com

Scrabble, $15, hasbro.com

Butterfly Collection jigsaw puzzle, $11, springbok-puzzles.com

Checkers, $5, shop.pressmantoy.com

Classic Parcheesi, $15, toysrus.com