Gifts for Hostesses

Maia James
By Maia James
Gift Guides
Medly wine pouch, ceramic mugs, marigold kettle, holiday apron, and candle
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In This Guide

If you're looking for a thoughtful thank-you for the person doing the hosting, or something for a teacher or Secret Santa recipient, we've got you covered with 40+ little luxuries and splurgy upgrades.

Some picks are available in our curated marketplace; others come from brands we love. We may earn a commission when you shop through our links, at no additional cost to you. 

Check out all our gift guides for even more ideas.

Hot Buttery Rum Truffle Bar

This insanely delicious milk chocolate with spiced-rum flavor and crunchy toffee bits is wrapped for the holidays. It's alcohol-free and also free of artificial flavors and other synthetics. $7

Buy from Nordstrom
Hot Buttery Rum Truffle Bar

Rishi Chai Concentrate

Just add milk to this organic masala chai concentrate for a cozy latte, hot or iced. $8

Buy from Amazon
Rishi Chai Concentrate

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

This two-pack of crisp organic cookies from Vermont is sweetened with maple syrup alone. $18

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Lead-Free Ceramic Mugs

We are currently coveting this set of four generously sized mugs in soft neutral colors, with roomy handles for cozy cups of coffee or tea. $31

Buy from Amazon
Lead-Free Ceramic Mugs

Hanukkah Beeswax Taper Candles

This set of 45 hand-dipped, 100% beeswax tapers has enough candles to light the menorah for all eight nights. $31

Buy from The Six Bells
Hanukkah Beeswax Taper Candles

Holiday Stroll Advent Puzzle

Twenty-four little puzzles join together to create one 1,008-piece holiday scene. Even if you’re not a puzzle person, this seems like a sweet daily ritual for December. $32

Buy from Uncommon Goods
Holiday Stroll Advent Puzzle

Cherry Pit Heat Pillow

This pillow can be warmed or chilled, and is filled with naturally dried cherry pits instead of plastic. $32

Buy from Uncommon Goods
Cherry Pit Heat Pillow

Mistletoe Tallow Balm

We love that this whipped, grass-fed tallow balm smells like Christmas in a jar, with fir, orange, and nutmeg. $32

Buy from Toups & Co.
Mistletoe Tallow Balm

Eyeshadow Quad

This holiday-themed compact features four coordinating non-toxic eyeshadows. $35

Buy from Jones Road
Eyeshadow Quad

Peppermint Latte Candle

Candles are a classic hostess gift, and this one uses only organic essential oils and extracts to give it warm, creamy latte notes. From $36

Peppermint Latte Candle

Tinted Lip Balm Trio

This trio from Love + Sage, a woman-owned Brooklyn business, makes an easy-to-wrap gift. You can also split it into stocking stuffers! $36

Tinted Lip Balm Trio

Solid Walnut Riser Serving Board

Handcrafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this gorgeous board adds height to a spread of cheeses, snacks, or desserts. From $39

Solid Walnut Riser Serving Board

Loop Napkins

Made of 100% Oeko-Tex® certified cotton, these napkins come with genius built-in loops that double as napkin rings. $40

Buy from Our Place
Loop Napkins

Soft Touch Trio

This set features three hand creams in Moroccan Rose, Tangerine Blossom, and Unscented, made with shea butter and jojoba oil. $42

Buy from Counter
Soft Touch Trio

Plaid Coasters

These colorful plaid cotton coasters from Archive New York bring green and blue tones to the table. $42

Plaid Coasters

Microplastic-Free Salt

If you know a cook who worries about plastics, this tasting set of Vera’s signature spring salts is a small but meaningful kitchen upgrade. $42

Microplastic-Free Salt

The Calm Ritual

This darling little travel-size trio comes with Aloe Vera Shampoo, Conditioner, and a scalp-and-skin mist. $44

Buy from Rahua
The Calm Ritual

Bud Vase

You can add a few stems to this simple ceramic vase for an effortless table-ready gift. $44

Buy from Year & Day
Bud Vase

Bloody Mary Cocktail Kit

This ready-to-gift kit includes Bloody Mary mix without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, plus fun garnishes. $45

Buy from Amazon
Bloody Mary Cocktail Kit

Home Cleaning Collection

We just got this little set for ourselves, and now have decided it will be our go-to gift. It's clean, gorgeous on your sink, and performs so well. $45

Buy from Koala Eco
Home Cleaning Collection

Silicone Oven Mitts

These are so comfortable to wear, and they look pretty hanging in the kitchen. $45

Buy from Our Place
Silicone Oven Mitts

Butterfly Puddler

I'm eyeing this for my mother-in-law, who would love this beautiful stoneware garden piece! $45

Buy from Uncommon Goods
Butterfly Puddler

Vintage Bookshelf Games

These classic board games, including Sorry!, come in book-style boxes you can tuck onto a shelf between game nights. From $45

Buy from Amazon
Vintage Bookshelf Games

Organic Bowl Covers

These are such a practical but still beautiful gift. I have a set and use them all the time! $48

Buy from Coyuchi
Organic Bowl Covers

Natalia Milk Jug

This ceramic jug would be lovely for milk, cream, or a few freshly cut flowers. $54

Buy from Porta
Natalia Milk Jug

Italian Red

This 2024 Piemonte Barbera from certified-organic vineyards makes a great dinner-party gift. $58

Buy from Medly
Italian Red

Holiday Hens Apron

I can think of three people I want to give this festive ruffle apron to. It’s made from 100% ethically sourced cotton. $58

Buy from Printfresh
Holiday Hens Apron

Sustainable Kitchen Starter Kit

Reusable paper towels and a mesh laundry bag make a useful starter set for someone who is trying to be greener. $59

Sustainable Kitchen Starter Kit

Maple Creemee Nut Butter

I discovered this brand the last time I was visiting home in Vermont, and this four-pack is handy for gifting alongside good bread. $60

Maple Creemee Nut Butter

Botanical Bath Salt Collection

You could give this all to one lucky someone or split it among several recipients. It includes Grapefruit Ylang Ylang, Juniper Mint, Lavender Rosemary, and fragrance-free Simply Salt. $62

Botanical Bath Salt Collection

Sakara Superfood Popcorn Trio

It’s that time of year again when I spend almost 70 bucks on a tub of popcorn. Sakara’s holiday tin comes with sweet, salty, and dairy-free “cheezy” popcorn. $68

Buy from Sakara
Sakara Superfood Popcorn Trio

Grill Press

My husband uses this stainless steel press to make crisp grilled cheese, smash burgers, and perfectly melty quesadillas for our boys. $72

Buy from Caraway
Grill Press

Day + Night Hydration Set

Upcycled botanical ingredients are what make this non-toxic skincare trio of face oil, moisturizer, and night cream extra special. $75

Day + Night Hydration Set

Balsam Woodland Trees

I'm a sucker for all things Vermont, including these handcrafted decorative trees. From $75

Balsam Woodland Trees

Algae Cooking Club Bundle

This trio of algae-based cooking oils includes the original chef-grade oil, Gochugaru Chili, and Shiitake Mushroom. $77

Algae Cooking Club Bundle

High-Phenol Olive Oil

Olea True’s extra-virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols, and it also happens to be delicious. $79

High-Phenol Olive Oil

Balmie Crayon Super Fan Pack

These plastic-free makeup crayons work for eyes, lips, and cheeks. $118

Balmie Crayon Super Fan Pack

Holiday Chocolate Gift Box

Each box pairs four single-origin dark chocolate bars with a tasting journal. $120 for two

Holiday Chocolate Gift Box

Wine Advent Calendar

Twelve days of canned wine discoveries are tucked into a festive countdown box. $125

Buy from Maker Wine
Wine Advent Calendar

Winter Candle Collection

I'm going all in on hygge this winter, and that is going to include this festive collection of beeswax tapers and non-toxic scented candle tins. From $150

Winter Candle Collection

Custom House Ornament

Turn a favorite home into a keepsake ornament with this personalized, hand-painted design. $155

Buy from Minted
Custom House Ornament

Marigold Tea Kettle

I'm obsessed with the color of this ceramic-coated stainless steel tea kettle. It also comes in eight other colors. $165

Buy from Caraway
Marigold Tea Kettle

Fondue Set

Made of enameled cast iron, this set includes coordinated serving pieces for cheese or chocolate fondue. $199

Fondue Set

Ultraplush Cotton Bathrobe

People never buy themselves robes, and this one is oversized, hooded, and made from 100% Australian cotton. $199

Ultraplush Cotton Bathrobe

Vegan Cashmere Throw

This soft, fringed throw is made from bamboo lyocell but has the cozy feel of cashmere. $330

Vegan Cashmere Throw

More ideas:

Happy gifting!

Stay sane,
Author's Signature

Maia, Founder & CEO

Tags:Gift Guides

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