27 Unique Hostess Gift Ideas from Our Editors

Updated October 06, 2020
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Peter Ardito

Giving one of these great gifts essentially makes you the guest of honor.

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Peter Ardito

It's an age-old adage: Attending a party? You bring your hostess a gift. The tenet even holds true this year, which has brought entertaining to a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic—small, immediate family-only gatherings have become the norm. Here's the thing: Even a tiny gathering has a hostess, and it is still important to treat her to an item (or two) that she'll actually like. While her go-to bottle of wine will definitely be appreciated, we think you could do even better—that's exactly where we come in.

Ahead, you'll find a roster of curated selections chosen with your hostess in mind: She's a natural entertainer, one who is not just the source of the party, but the heartbeat of it, too. To show your gratitude—and guarantee an invite back to next year's celebration—present her with one of these thoughtful gifts. From entertaining-centric options, like cake and cookie books (courtesy of Martha, of course!), the best-possible chef's knife, and a chestnut roasting pan (so seasonal!), to elevated just-for-her presents (think hand-cut soaps from Marseille, France, or a chic, modern vase), there are plenty of guaranteed winners in the slides ahead.

We're particularly fond of the gifts that err on the side of the unexpected. She likely didn't know that she needed a candle snuffer, for example, but she won't know how or why she lived without one before you introduced her to the handy object. As for our other favorite didn't-see-that-coming options? Date nectar (a vegan option to honey!) and delicious caramels are all fun and unique ideas (ones she and her family will definitely enjoy). Ahead, more inspired, elevated, and delicious gifts for your very own hostess.

Art direction by Laura Lutz; Prop Styling by Tanya Graff; Soft Styling by Claire Tedaldi at Halley Resources.

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Cake Perfection

Courtesy of Amazon

She's already mastered the art of cake baking—but keep her inspired with plenty of confection recipes, courtesy of Martha's newest book.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart's Cake Perfection, $25.99, amazon.com.

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Roasting Pan

Courtesy of Terrain

This carbon steel chestnut roasting pan has an extra-long handle that can be held over a roaring fire or her stovetop.

Shop Now: Terrain Chestnut Roasting Pan, $46, shopterrain.com.

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Stone Moisturizier

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

She's never seen a moisturizer quite like this. All she needs to do is glide this package-free "stone" formula over her skin post-shower for immediate hydration.

Shop Now: Kate McLeod Sleep Stone Moisturizer, $45, saksfifthavenue.com.

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Entertaining Beautifully

Courtesy of Amazon

Inspire the celebrations she'll plan when she's able to with this new entertaining guide, courtesy of Aerin Lauder.

Shop Now: Entertaining Beautifully by Aerin Lauder, $49.50, amazon.com.

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Chef's Knife

Kirsten Francis

Anyone can cut, dice, and slice like a pro with Thomas Keller's powdered-steel chef's knife.

Shop Now: Cangshan Thomas Keller Chef's Knife, from $199.95, williams-sonoma.com.

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Elevated Hand Wash and Lotion

Peter Ardito

This luxurious handwash and lotion duo will transport a lucky someone to a vibrant spring garden, whatever the season.

Shop Now: Byredo "Tulipmania" Hand Wash, $65, www.nordstrom.com; and Hand Lotion, $70, www.nordstrom.com.

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Cote d'Azur Incense

Courtesy of Amazon

Obsessed with Oribe's signature fragrance? Now the same scent is infused in these chic incense sticks crafted by renowned incense makers in Japan.

Shop Now: Oribe Cote D'Azur Incense, $65 for 50 sticks, amazon.com.

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Candle Snuffer

Peter Ardito

This handy tool extinguishes candles with ease (no flying wax!) and will have your host asking, "How did I live without this?"

Shop Now: West Elm Brass Finished Snuffer, $11.20, westelm.com.

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Unique Pillow

Courtesy of Bolé Road

Is her home filled with neutrals? Gift her a pillow, like one of these from Bolé Road, that walks the line between organic and statement-making for balance.

Shop Now: Bolé Road Aman Pillow in Dusty Rose, $325, boleroadtextiles.com.

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Amber Carafe

Courtesy of H&M

This handsome carafe—which she'll use on any and every occasion—plays double duty as a vase.

Shop Now: H&M Home Glass Carafe in Brown, $7.99, hm.com.

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Ultimate Apron

Courtesy of Food52

Tricked out with built-in pot holders, pockets to spare, and a handy conversion chart tucked into one style, this apron has it all. Your resident chef will never have to scramble to look up how many fluid ounces are in a pint.

Shop Now: Five Two Ultimate Apron, $45, food52.com.

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Martha's Cookie Book

Courtesy of Amazon

Gift her all the holiday cookie—and beyond—inspiration she needs with this beloved Martha recipe collection.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart's Cookie Perfection: 100+ Recipes to Take Your Sweet Treats to the Next Level, $18.29, amazon.com.

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Martha-Approved Gift Baskets

Courtesy of iGourmet

Martha personally curated each gift basket in her iGourmet collection, sourcing high-quality food items and ingredients from her favorite purveyors. Luckily, there are a myriad of options to choose from, from Italian themed boxes to a Spanish tapas collection.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart iGourmet Gift Baskets, from $49.99, igourmet.com.

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Round Vase

Courtesy of Hidden Gem NY

Add a modern touch to her floral arrangements with these footed, orb-like vases.

Shop Now: Hidden Gem NY Aspire Round Vase, $65, hiddengemny.com.

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Rosy Glassware

Courtesy of At Land

She'll enjoy sipping natural wine out of these handblown glasses.

Shop Now: R+D.Lab Luisa Tinto Aqua Glass in Cameo Pink, $112, at.land.

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Infused Honeys

Kirsten Francis

Nicolas Vahé honeys, infused with orange peel or walnuts, take her yogurt, toast, and cheese trays to euphoric levels.

Shop Now: Nicolas Vahe Honeys, $22 each, shopterrain.com.

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Footed Bowls

Peter Ardito

Ceramist Marcie McGoldrick's footed bowls are delicate and drop-dead gorgeous—gift her one or a trio in coordinating colors.

Shop Now: Marci McGoldrick Small Footed Bowls, from $58, marcimcgoldrick.com.

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Artisanal Soaps

Kirsten Francis

Crafted by one of Marseille's oldest soap workshops, Christophe Pourny bars smell subtly of grapefruit, apricot, fig, and green tea.

Shop Now: Christophe Pourny Marseille Soaps, $30 for four, christophepourny.com.

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Chic Vases

Peter Ardito

These chic vessels have removable toppers that cradle a bulb above water, letting its roots dip elegantly beneath.

Shop Now: Kinto Aqua Culture Vases, from $18.80, kinto-usa.com.

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Date Nectar

Peter Ardito

Delicious over waffles or swirled into marinades, this mild syrup is a vegan substitute for honey, with 25 percent less sugar.

Shop Now: D'Vash Date Nectar, from $6.99, dvashorganics.com.

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Soap and Body Butter

Peter Ardito

Gentle and rich, these soaps and body butters are handmade in Charleston, South Carolina, and come in an array of lovely scents (plus fragrance-free, for purists).

Shop Now: Old Whaling Co. Soap $6, oldwhalingcompany.com; and Body Butter $12, oldwhalingcompany.com.

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Linen Toiletry Bags

Peter Ardito

For the weekend jaunter or global jetsetter: These waterproof linen wash bags keep toiletries and makeup beautifully contained.

Shop Now: Utopia Goods Linen Wash Bags, $55 each, utopiagoods.com.

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Caramels

Courtesy of Big Picture Farm

Rich and creamy, with just a hint of vanilla, Big Picture Farm's award-winning caramels are made with fresh milk from goats raised on their pastoral Vermont farm.

Shop Now: Big Picture Farm Caramels, from $12, bigpicturefarm.com.

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Single-Origin Spices

Peter Ardito

Beloved by chefs at top restaurants like Eleven Madison Park, Blue Hill, and Quince in San Francisco, Burlap and Barrel works directly with small farmers and cooperatives in 10 countries to source exceptional single-origin spices like cinnamon from Tanzania and smoked paprika from Spain.

Shop Now: Burlap and Barrel Spices, from $6 for one jar, burlapandbarrel.com.

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Danica Taper Candles

Courtesy of Hawkins New York

These gorgeous candles, hand dipped in Maine, are unscented and won't take away from the gorgeous appetizers she's put out.

Shop Now: Hawkins New York "Danica" 13" Taper Candles, $8 for set of two, hawkinsnewyork.com.

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Striped Apron

Courtesy of Heather Taylor Home

There's no cuter way to bake up a storm this holiday than in these darling aprons. Available in blue-and-white gingham, black, or juniper pink, each apron is handwoven out of 100% cotton by artisans in Mexico.

Shop Now: Heather Taylor Home Apron in Juniper, $98, heathertaylorhome.com.

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Pedestal Bowl

Courtesy of CB2

Talk about stylish serveware. This contemporary bowl looks just as sleek on her holiday table as it does on her coffee table, all year round.

Shop Now: CB2 Black Pedestal Bowl, $59.95, cb2.com.

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