Christmas Hostess Gift Ideas: 12 Elegant Things to Bring to a Holiday Party
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The invitations are arriving: drinks at the neighbors', a friend's Christmas dinner, the office party at your boss's home. And with every one comes the same small question. What do you bring the host?
According to Emily Post, a hostess gift isn't always required, but it's a lovely gesture, especially on a first visit. The best ones are small, thoughtful and easy for your host to enjoy later. Here are twelve Christmas hostess gift ideas that feel elegant without trying too hard.
The Short Answer
What is a good hostess gift for a Christmas party?
- Champagne with a stopper, or a seasonal cocktail kit
- Something for their home: linen napkins, a cheese board or a winter candle
- A morning-after breakfast kit for the day after the party
- Whatever you choose, wrap it so it can be opened later
For the Host Who Loves a Drink
Champagne Hostess Gift
A Bottle of Champagne and a Stopper
Champagne is the classic for a reason. Add a champagne stopper so they can save the rest for the next day, and your gift instantly becomes more thoughtful.
Wrap it in Château Rouge. A bottle wrapped in a French toile looks far more special than one in a gift bag. Our guide to wrapping a gift without a box shows exactly how to do it.
Cocktail Gift Kit
A Cocktail Kit for the Season
A craft cocktail infusion kit in a glass jar just needs the host to add spirits. It looks beautiful on a bar cart and gives them something festive to serve at their next gathering.
Gourmet Food Gift
Aged Balsamic or Artisan Olive Oil
For the host who cooks, a bottle of aged balsamic vinegar from Bona Furtuna or a Brightland olive oil feels like a small luxury they'll enjoy every time they make a salad.
For the Host Who Loves Their Home
Linen Cocktail Napkins
Linen Cocktail Napkins
A set of embroidered linen cocktail napkins from Bella Lino is useful, pretty and exactly the sort of thing hosts never buy for themselves. Monogrammed ones make it personal.
Cheese Board Gift
A Marble Cheese Board
A Mark and Graham marble and wood cheese board earns its place at every party that follows. Tie a small cheese knife to the ribbon for a finishing touch.
Christmas Candle Gift
A Winter Candle
A candle with a seasonal scent, like fir, clove or blood orange, makes the house smell like Christmas. Try the Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme candle or a Nest Birchwood Pine candle.
Wrap it in Velvet Holly. Deep burgundy with fresh holly. Box the candle, wrap it and finish with a cream satin ribbon.
Hand Wash Gift Set
A Hand Wash and Lotion Duo
Hosts notice what's by the kitchen and bathroom sinks. A Molton Brown hand wash and lotion set is a gift they'll use every day while their guests admire it too.
For the Host Who Has Thought of Everything
Breakfast Gift Basket
The Morning-After Breakfast Kit
This is the gift hosts remember. After a late night of cleaning up, they wake to a small basket of good coffee, a jar of jam and something baked. Put it together yourself and tuck in a note that says "for tomorrow morning."
Wrap it in Winter Plenty. Line a small basket with a sheet of paper and let it peek over the top, then tie with twine and a sprig of rosemary.
Amaryllis Gift
A Paperwhite or Amaryllis Bulb
A potted amaryllis bulb kit from Holland Bulb Farms or paperwhite bulbs will bloom through January, long after the party is forgotten. Wrap the pot in paper, gathered at the top with ribbon.
Gourmet Tinned Fish
Luxury Tinned Fish
Beautifully packaged tinned fish is one of the season's most talked-about gifts. A set from Fishwife is fun, stylish and perfect for a relaxed dinner.
Christmas Crackers
Christmas Crackers for Their Table
If you're visiting before Christmas Day, a box of Williams Sonoma Christmas crackers is a gift for their big day. This British tradition, with a paper crown and a small surprise inside each one, is catching on fast. Choose a design that suits their table.
Coffee Table Book Gift
A Coffee Table Book
For the host with beautiful taste, a coffee table book on entertaining or interiors is a gift and a piece of décor at once.
Hostess Gift Etiquette in Three Rules
Don't expect it to be served. Your host has already planned the menu. As Emily Post advises, it's up to them whether to open your wine that evening.
Make it easy. Cut flowers mean your host has to find a vase mid-party. Choose flowers already in a vase or a potted plant instead.
Always wrap it. A wrapped gift can be set aside and opened later, which is exactly what a busy host needs. Add a tag with your name so they know who to thank.
How to Wrap a Hostess Gift
Bottles, jars and plants are the classic hostess gifts, and they're also the trickiest to wrap. Roll bottles in paper and gather the top with ribbon, wrap jars in a square of paper tied like a pouch, and cover plant pots with a collar of paper. Our Japanese diagonal wrap works beautifully for books and boxes.
Watch: Tips and Techniques for Wrapping Holiday Gifts by Martha Stewart
Mix any 3 rolls and save 15%, applied automatically in your cart.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good hostess gift for a Christmas party?+
Champagne with a stopper, linen cocktail napkins, a seasonal candle, a marble cheese board, a morning-after breakfast kit or an amaryllis bulb all make thoughtful hostess gifts.
How much should you spend on a hostess gift?+
Stay within your budget. A small, well-chosen gift matters more than the price, and somewhere between $20 and $50 is comfortable for most parties.
Should the host open a hostess gift at the party?+
No. The host can open it later, and they are not expected to serve any food or wine you bring.
Is it rude to show up without a hostess gift?+
It is not required, especially among close friends who entertain often, but it is always appreciated, particularly on a first visit.
Like fashion for your gifts.
