If you had to google “do I need to bring a host gift?” I’m just gonna say that you most definitely should bring a host gift. Yes, the AI overview will absolve you of any obligation by saying it isn’t necessary, but ignore the robot and listen to ME.
It is never a bad idea to bring a host gift.
A host gift is an immediate expression of gratitude. It is a classy way to say, “thank you for putting all this effort into this party you’re throwing; I cannot wait to eat all this free food!” If you aren’t in the habit of bringing a little something to a function, try it out. While it may not be “necessary,” it certainly can’t hurt.
Also, let’s not look too deeply into whether social niceties and gestures of kindness are “necessary,” because the more you think about it, the more absurd it becomes. Is chewing with your mouth closed necessary? Is liking the picture of your recently single friend’s bold new haircut on Instagram necessary? Are hugs necessary?
Some of our favorite host gifts, at a glance
- The perfect pairing with a bottle of vino: Graf Lantz Wine-Ote's Merino Wool Wine Markers
- Very nice olive oil: Flamingo Estate Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- A fancy snack (or martini garnish): The Gilda Company Boquerón Gilda
- A skin-soothing hand scrub: Naomi Wood Yuzu After-Cooking Hand Scrub
- Something to do after dinner: Scattergories Vintage Bookshelf Edition
Anyway, the best host gifts, in my opinion, are things that add a little something to the party. Nothing huge, but gourmet edibles, chic yet practical items, or activity-based gifts are all perfect for ensuring good times and good vibes.
Something for the moment
Bringing a gift that the host and other guests can enjoy in the moment is always a savvy idea, especially if it’s something that makes it all feel a little more special. A black-and-white disposable camera is my go-to host gift, because without fail people get excited about them, and the host gets a stack of photos to enjoy later. Go black and white because it’s unconventional, and more importantly, flattering. For the holidays, party crackers are always delightful, especially these from John Derian. On the more practical side, wool felt wine markers are a great assist, or pick up a fancy bag of coffee to replenish your host’s stash. If a fire pit is in play, a Swedish fire log is the easiest way to get one going.
A unique aperitivi
Provided your host enjoys the hard stuff, a bottle of some sort of aperitivo is always gonna work, and the more unique, the better. At the very worst, it can end up as another bottle on their bar cart; at best, you might introduce them to their new favorite spirit. Some ideas: Veso makes all sorts of interesting vermouths (tomato and anchovy to name a couple), but the fig leaf is a unique but not too challenging choice. Food writer Meredith Erickson’s rhubarb-infused spirit Doladira is a surprising take on a classic Italian aperitivo with an all-season appeal. Giusti’s balsamic vermouth is aged in the company’s centuries-old vinegar barrels, imbuing the fortified wine with a complex fruity depth without any vinegary tang—in a Negroni, it’s simply beyond.
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Small yet gourmet
It’s best not to overshadow the host’s offerings, but bringing some sort of edible accoutrement, perhaps on the spendier side, can add extra oomph to a pre-dinner spread or a cocktail station. Marky’s caviar butter, black truffle pearls, and Big Night’s crunchy “glitter” are snazzy little add-ons to a cheese board. For drinks, Quincy’s olives come with extra juice, and the Gilda Company’s boqueron gildas will furnish brine and pucker for the dirtiest of dirty martinis. On the sweet side, several of our editors adore Coop’s dessert sauces, which far exceed the usual grocery store stuff.
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California's finest
The best olive oil is actually going to be the olive oil sourced closest to where you live. You could take the most incredible olive oil—I’m talking first press, sourced from ancient trees on an obscure Greek island type of oil—but if you ship it thousands of miles across land and sea, there are just so many factors that can cause its quality to quickly degrade in transit. So for good giftable olive oil, I always tell people (in the States!) to get something Californian. Not just bottled in California either, but pressed from California olives. Both Wonder Valley and Flamingo Estate really lean into a design-forward, Pacific Coast chic vibe that makes for a nice gift; thankfully, the quality inside is just as high. For a more historic choice, family-run Enzo’s really nails it with their flavored infusions; the Fresno chili in particular is a certified pantry meal hero.
Good ol' tea towels
Sure, towels may not be the most exhilarating gift in the world, but in a way that’s kind of the point. They aren’t gonna command a ton of space, and the recipient will most definitely use them at some point. It’s helpful if you have a sense of your host’s design preferences. Then again, geometric patterns and fruit and vegetable motifs are a pretty easy sell.
Unique tapers
The gift of ambience! I personally love when guests bring me nice taper candles, mostly because after spending a whole load of cash on food and drinks, I’m not about to splurge on the candles. As for gifting, the more unique and spectacular the better. For several years in a row, asparagus candles have been a reader-favorite gift guide pick. I also like Paddy Wax’s blocky geometric tapers for a more postmodern vibe. If you really want to freak it, the Terrain candles designed to resemble classic foil holiday ornaments are undeniably wild.
Clean up crew
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you’re going this gifting route, it’s imperative that you pair the cleaning gift with an offer to help your host clean up. If you can’t commit to that, pick anything else on this list. The gift is a physical token representing your commitment to a forthcoming act of service. That said, everything below is delightful. The Made In cleaning set is a godsend for anyone who cooks with cast iron or carbon steel. The Naomi hand soap is known for ridding hands of garlic and onion smells. The Malin + Goetz tomato home spray won’t clean anything, but it’ll leave a kitchen (or bathroom) smelling like a peak-summer heirloom. And the Gohar gloves… I mean, just look at them. The pearl ring? CAMP.
Something sweet
In general, bringing sweets and desserts is pretty safe gifting territory for parties around the holiday season. If a homemade cookie box isn’t your forte (if it is, let me usher you this way), store-bought cookies and candies are an all-around crowd pleaser, so long as you get the good stuff. Boarderie makes dessert charcuterie boards that fit right in on the table. Go for the Bon Bon box if your host leans fruity and sour, and maybe doesn’t want to share. As for the Lakrids by Bülow, hear me out. You may not think you like licorice, but these little candies have turned several licorice-haters in our office. Trust me on this.
A big tin
Growing up, my grandparents always had one of those giant holiday tins of flavored popcorn that my cousins and I would descend on like a plague of locusts each Christmas. Afterward, the ravaged container would find a second life holding Lincoln Logs, Legos, and K’nex. The popcorn trifecta tin still rules, but there are other big tins out there that might appeal to those with a fully developed prefrontal cortex. Bonilla potato chips from Spain have a dedicated following (yes, they are absurdly expensive, which is why they are a gift). New York City fave Levain ships cookies across the country in handsome blue boxes, and on the other side of the country you have a flavorful assortment of Rowe’s macaroons. All come with a highly reusable tin for whatever your host’s heart desires.
A game for after dinner
Holiday gatherings are often marathons, and not everybody has it in them to keep their conversational wheels a’turnin for hours on end. That is what games are for! By gifting a game, you're gifting your host an additional tool for attending to the varied needs of their guests. Maybe it won’t be necessary! But in the event of an energetic lull or bout of social fatigue, a game is a nice place to land. Scattergories is a classic, and this bookshelf edition is great for anybody who is particular about design. The Game of Things is a personal favorite (if you’ve ever played Quiplash, you’ll be familiar with the vibe). And for something more subdued, you can’t go wrong with a Le Puzz puzzle.
And a Panettone obviously
I realize there are a lot of panettone haters in the world. The reasons? Non lo so. There are so many versions out there that there’s bound to be at least one that will appeal to any given person. If you aren’t sure whether the host is a panettone head or not, it’s best to go with a nicer one. The Olivieri 1882 is the traditional Italian classic, while the Dolce and Gabbana one is best known for the decorative tin (call back!) that holds it. While not Italian, Birley Bakery’s version don’t stray too far from the traditional candied citrus and almond flavor profile, and come in what looks like an old-fashioned hat box.
