5 Surprising Hostess Gifts
I Stopped Bringing Wine to Parties—Here’s What I Bring Instead
We've all been there—walking into a party with flowers or a bottle of wine, knowing half the other guests probably brought the same thing. Showing up with something is always better than showing up empty handed, but here's the thing about hosting. It’s freaking exhausting! Hosts deserve something more thoughtful than the usual gift suspects.
So here's what I've learned works, based on years of both hosting and being a guest:
Permission to Pamper. By the time guests arrive, the host has been on their feet for hours getting everything ready. A little post-party pampering can go a long way. I love giving (and let’s be honest—receiving) Patchology foot masks. They're perfect for unwinding after a long day of hosting. Pro tip: buy these in bulk so you always have them ready to give to others or yourself.
Think future forward. You know what nobody talks about? The morning after hosting. There's the aftermath to clean up, zero energy to make breakfast, and let’s not forget there may be a mild hangover. I started showing up to parties with fresh orange juice and muffins or scones. Trust me, your host will want to hug you when they're staring at their empty fridge the next morning. If you're feeling ambitious, try these cheddar cream scones. They are simple to make since everything goes in the food processor.
Here to serve. I love Falcon enamelware, but I don’t love that it might cost you more to ship from the UK based on recent trade regulations. This tray from Crow Canyon Home is a more budget-friendly option. I like to pair the tray with BBQ rubs.
The gift that keeps on giving. I never buy nice dish towels for myself. I just keep using the same ratty ones until they're basically disintegrating. So when someone brings me dish towels like this or this, I'm genuinely thrilled.
A plant that endures. Flowers wilt and die in a few days, leaving the host with another thing to clean up. I prefer succulents because they are almost impossible to kill. I found this simple square succulent planter from Terrain that looks chic anywhere. If you want something with more personality, place a succulent in this adorable face planter.
From left to right: Patchology Foot Masks; Crow Canyon Small Rectangular Tray; Williams-Sonoma Striped Dishcloths; Succulent Planter from Terrain