Gift Guide 2014: Don’t Forget the Hostess

The Holiday season is fast approaching, and we’ve already kicked off the most frenzied shopping season of year with a guide full of gifts to get you started. Now I’m here to help you out when it comes to gifting the hostess, whether it’s for Thanksgiving, a holiday party or a Christmas stay with your in-laws.

Hostess gifts are incredibly important but often neglected. Typically we opt for a bottle of wine, which isn’t a bad gift; in fact, it’s generally a sure thing. But there are occasions that are worth delving into gift-giving a little further, and sometimes finding the perfect gift requires a little bit of help. Luckily for anyone in a bind or in need of inspiration, I’m gift-giving-obsessed (truly, I am!) and scoured the Internet to find some of the best options to leave a lasting impression with your host.

From sweet treats (which are always a winner) to yummy scents to totally attention-grabbing home items, here are the best hostess gifts at a variety of price points, all of which we tracked down just for you!

Vosges Haut-Chocolat Piemonte Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Crunchy Pralines Bonbons
$38 via Barneys

You can never, ever go wrong with chocolate.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat Piemonte Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Crunchy Pralines Bonbons

Thomas Fuchs Marble Skull Cheeseboard
$358 via Barneys

Ok, how cool is this?!

Thomas Fuchs Marble Skull Cheeseboard

Jonathan Adler Brass Tic Tac Toe Set
$195 via Neiman Marcus

I want this, I mean who wouldn’t want this?

Jonathan Adler Brass Tic Tac Toe Set

Theory Waffle-knit Cashmere Pillow and Eye Mask Set
$285 via Net-A-Porter

For the hostess who travels, this luxurious gift is a certain hit.

Theory Waffle-knit Cashmere Pillow and Eye Mask Set

Lafco Blue Pastille Boxed Guest Soaps
$20 via Neiman Marcus

Soaps seems so cliche, but I think these soaps stand apart from the rest.

Lafco Blue Pastille Boxed Guest Soaps

Lanvin Miss Lanvin Snow Globe
$385 via Net-A-Porter

Fashion lovers who love knick-knacks will love this snow globe.

Lanvin Miss Lanvin Snow Globe

Maison Martin Margiela Mirrored-stainless Steel Champagne Bucket
$445 via Net-A-Porter

Totally pricey but totally awesome.

Maison Martin Margiela Mirrored-stainless Steel Champagne Bucket

Smythson Portobello 2015 Textured-leather Diary
$305 via Net-A-Porter

A 2015 calendar (what how is it almost 2015?!) is a great gift, for anyone.

Smythson Portobello 2015 Textured-leather Diary

Luxe City Guides Fashion Gift Box
$60 via Net-A-Porter

I love this gift box set plus the price is great.

Luxe City Guides Fashion Gift Box

Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Bath Jewels
$93 via Net-A-Porter

Everyone loves a bath accessory, just try to be sure they actually have a tub.

Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Bath Jewels

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray 75ml
$29 via Net-A-Porter

This is awesome, if you don’t get it for a hostess get it for me.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray 75ml

Jonathan Adler Brass Elephant Ring Bowl
$88 via Neiman Marcus

Vlad’s family adores elephants, I would be the best daughter-in-law if I brought this home for the holidays.

Jonathan Adler Brass Elephant Ring Bowl

Kinto 850 Ml Carat Teapot
$45 via Barneys

As a tea lover myself, I love getting interesting teapots.

Kinto 850 Ml Carat Teapot

MacKenzie-Childs Odd Fellows Cheese Dish
$180 via Neiman Marcus

Another cheese plate, but a more whimsical option.

MacKenzie-Childs Odd Fellows Cheese Dish

Three Designing Women Motif Custom Ink Stamps
$40 via Neiman Marcus

A custom option shows you put time and effort into the gift, plus a custom ink stamp is usable for everyone.

Three Designing Women Motif Custom Ink Stamps

Sudha Pennathur Christmas Door Knockers
$35 via Neiman Marcus

Bah-humbug.

Sudha Pennathur Christmas Door Knockers

Giraffe at Home Throw
$178 via Nordstrom

If you were to give this as a gift, I will tell you it will be hard to not keep it for yourself.

Giraffe at Home Throw

Diptyque Figuier Mini Candle
$30 via Barneys

When all else fails, go with what’s tried-and-true.

Diptyque Figuier Mini Candle

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Khaya

These are great gifts! It really is a super sweet gesture to bring the hostess a gift and some of these are super creative. I love the soaps and the luxe city guides box set

Megs Mahoney Dusil

The soaps are the prettiest I’ve seen in a long time! And I love the luxe city guides box set because the price is great and people love coffee table books!

racheldinh

Thanks for sharing. I would like to avoid gifting wine to every host this holiday season.

http://www.racheldinh.com

Megs Mahoney Dusil

Hope something here works for you!

as

300 dollars for a book that only gets one year of use….

Megs Mahoney Dusil

I have an Hermes calendar which is really nice because I can just buy the refills and keep the leather holder, but the refills are fairly pricey (then again of course they are, it’s Hermes)

FashionableLena

Love the skull board. I want one just to display at my house.

Megs Mahoney Dusil

Same!

Winn

Are these affiliate links? If these are typical blog-type links where you are being compensated per click, or via commission per purchase of featured item, or per purchase of ANY item at the site being linked to, you owe it to your readers to disclose this.

Megs Mahoney Dusil

We’ve always disclosed that we work with affiliate partners for our business. When a post is sponsored we mark it as such, which this one was not.

realitytvjunkie

Are diptyque candles really that great?

ElainePG

Yes, they are. I light one in my kitchen whenever I cook fish. Magic! No fishy smell in the house, and I don’t have to open a window in the winter! They last a long time, too. Just remember to trim the wick, as the instructions say. It really makes a difference.

Megs Mahoney Dusil

They smell delicious, and the fig is one of the most popular!

ElainePG

Figuier is lovely in the living room or bedroom, Megs, but Coriandre is my “go to” fragrance as a kitchen candle. It doesn’t cover up the smell of fish… it actually seems to absorb it. So if your hostess is a serious cook, she may appreciate Coriandre. (And no, I don’t work for Diptyque! I just live on the coast, and cook a lot of fish!)

Megs Mahoney Dusil

Thanks for the tip! I’m gonna have to add that to my my Christmas list!

chkpfbeliever

Thanks Megs. Great idea and love the guest soaps !!

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