Yerin Kim's Gift Ideas For Party Hosts
I Take Gifting Very Seriously — Here Are My Favorite Gifts For Party Hosts
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We're officially in the holiday season, which means we're attending — and perhaps hosting — parties as the new year approaches. While I wouldn't call myself the ultimate host (unfortunately, I live in a studio apartment), I am a partygoer who's been lucky enough to be invited to homes and events — and I love to give gifts. As a textbook Virgo who takes gift-giving very seriously, I often make notes of gift ideas for specific friends, family, and all the hosts in my life throughout the year, so I'm prepared for their celebrations. Giving a host a gift is a sweet way to show gratitude to the person who invited you to their home or hosted an event.
When it comes to host gifts, I'm a big believer in choosing consumables like food items, flowers, candles, or soaps. The last thing you want to do is burden the person who so graciously hosted you and make them find a place for your clunky present (though there are certainly a few exceptions that I'll share below). Whether you're attending a casual holiday party or spending a holiday weekend at someone's home, I've gathered a list of the items I love to gift and receive. From luxury host gifts like hand soaps and candles to unique host gifts like a phone sanitizer and monogrammed coasters, check out my picks below.
Best Gift For Coffee-Lovers
Peet's Ultra Coffee Concentrate ($16)
If your host is a coffee snob, they might love to receive this coffee concentrate. As an espresso enthusiast myself, I like having this on hand for lazy days – all you have to do is add a tablespoon to your liquid of choice, hot or cold. You can also help your host out and shake up some espresso martinis at the party with this concentrate, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
Best Chili Crisp Gift
Mama Teav's Hot Garlic Chili Crisp ($18)
I like to add spice to everything, so I've tried all the big-name chili crisps on the market. This one from Mama Teav's is a strong contender for my top choice — it's garlicky, crunchy, and packed with umami. It's the perfect host gift for a fellow fan of spicy food and really, it's just a great condiment to have in your pantry.
Best Apron Gift
Williams Sonoma Classic Stripe Aprons ($30)
As an amateur home cook, I've ruined so many T-shirts and loungewear with red sauce and oil stains in the kitchen. While I wouldn't think to invest in an apron myself, I'd be delighted to receive a chic one, especially with an added monogram. This high-quality, striped apron from Williams Sonoma is made of thick cotton and has roomy front pockets.
Best Hand Lotion Gift
Ouai Hand Lotion ($32)
I've gone through several bottles of this deliciously scented hand lotion, and I can attest to Ouai's claims that the formula absorbs easily and locks in hydration. Whether your host wants to share it with guests or save it for their own use, I can guarantee they won't be mad about this lush moisturizer.
Best Coasters Gift
Mark & Graham Ski Embroidered Coasters, Set of 4 ($34, originally $49)
Coasters are another practical gift for hosts, whether they're brought out immediately at the party or stored for future use. The free monogram also adds a thoughtful touch that'll feel special for your gift recipient. I'm obsessed with these adorable ski illustrations, but Mark & Graham offers other fun design options for its coasters.
Best Olive Oil Gift
Frankies 457 Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil ($39)
I'll purchase my everyday olive oil from the grocery store, but I'd love to have this fancy one for special occasions, especially when it comes approved by the chefs in "The Bear." The tin packaging is both gorgeous and authentic, and the oil itself is delightful for salads, pasta dishes, and breads alike. It's also an editor favorite; read our review of Frankies 457 olive oil to learn more.
Best Glassware Gift
AllModern Amelia Sheer Coupe (Set of 4) ($47, originally $59)
The exception to my "consumables only" rule applies to host gifts that are truly practical, like these beautiful cocktail glasses. Hosts can serve any type of drink in these versatile coupe glasses that'll add style and color to their table settings. They also appear delicate, but have a sturdy, curved design to prevent easy cracks or breaking.
Best Candle Gift
Prose Corsica Candle ($52)
I typically try to avoid gifting candles because it can feel impersonal, but I make an exception for host gifts, especially if you don't have a close relationship with the people who are hosting. I don't think you can go wrong with Prose candles, which promise up to 50 hours of burn time and are made with a mix of clean natural and synthetic fragrance oils. The fresh and woody corsica scent is my personal favorite.
Best Holiday Dessert Gift
Little Pie Company Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie ($63)
Little Pie Company makes some of the best pies ever — and it's not just me, Rachael Ray also says so — but the bakery only has a location in NYC. Luckily, its famous Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie is available on Goldbelly, and I've shipped several to some very pleased non-New Yorkers in the past. You can ship these ahead of your gathering to take something off the host's plate or afterward as a thank-you. If your host isn't a pie person, Goldbelly also offers a huge variety of gourmet food gifts from iconic brands.
Best Hand Soap Gift
Hermès Eau D'orange Verte Hand & Body Cleansing Gel ($90)
Let's face it: the best gifts are ones you would likely never purchase for yourself, but would be happy to own, like an expensive hand soap from Hermès. The fresh orange and mint scent is just as luxurious as the bottle, which is made of recyclable glass. As an added bonus, the soap comes in the famed orange gift box that anyone would be excited to receive.
Best Flower Gift
The Bouqs Co. Terracotta Dry Bouquet ($99)
I love flowers, but I am a lazy plant mom. Instead of receiving a bouquet of fresh florals with a short shelf life, I'd prefer to have dried flowers I can enjoy long past the holidays. This earthy dry bouquet with golden baby's breath, copper pampas, and terracotta wheat feels especially perfect for fall. I also recommend adding a vase to limit any extra work for your host.
Best Tech Gift
simplehuman Cleanstation UV Phone Sanitizer ($200)
Another gift that someone might not buy for themselves, but would greatly appreciate? A phone sanitizer. I hate to break it to you, but our phones are absolutely covered in germs. At $200, this simplehuman Cleanstation isn't cheap, but it is useful — just pop your phone into it for 30 seconds to kill 99.9 percent of germs.
Yerin Kim (she/her) is the features editor at PS, where she writes, assigns, and edits feature stories and helps shape the vision for special projects and identity content across the network. Originally from Seoul and currently based in New York City, she's passionate about elevating diverse perspectives and spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, style, wellness, and pop culture. A graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, she has over six years of experience in the women's lifestyle space.
