Your Party Host Wants These Gifts in Their Arsenal for the Next Soirée

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One of the most important rules of attending a holiday party is to show up with something special. So if you're looking for the perfect hostess gifts that will either make a good impression or remind your friend how much you appreciate them, you've come to the right place. The thing about such presents is that they don’t necessarily have to be luxurious or decorative. Rather, they’re most appreciated when they come in the form of something anyone with an affinity for entertaining can actually use over the course of her party. So, while we do recommend a few fancy finds below, most of our top picks are more practical than anything else.

From an electric lighter that billows a flame in a matter of seconds to a marble wine cooler that keeps whites and rosés chilled for hours on end, there are plenty of options to consider. There are so many options on the market, but we went ahead and narrowed our favorites down to 40 picks—all of which would definitely make your hostess smile. Plus, it’s the season of giving, so why not get in the spirit?

With the winter holidays well on their way, we don’t suggest waiting until the last minute to score the goodies on your shopping list. That said, if you do happen to save getting your gifts until mere days before you’re due at the Christmas party, rest assured that plenty of the products below are from Amazon and can arrive (for free) within two days.

Need some more gift ideas for other loved ones in your life? Peep our most popular gift guides!

• Home bar gifts

• Gifts for women

• Thank you gifts

• Gifts for mom

• Gifts for coworkers

Candle Trimmer, Snuffer, and Dipper

Who knew candles required so much care? If, in fact, you want to keep your candles lasting for as long as possible, you'll need to give them a little TLC, including trimming the wick to prevent mushrooming, a snuffer to safely extinguish the flame without damaging the wick, and a dipper, which eliminates the ensuing scattered soot when you blow out a flame.

Mustique Ripple Salad Serving Set

They'll want to save the extra pretty gifts for special occasions. Case in point: this Jonathan Adler salad set, which is basically a work of art. They have that undeniable Memphis Milano look, courtesy of the hand-pouring process Adler uses to make them. Use code "SLEIGH" at checkout to score 25 percent off.

Hatch Punch Bowl and Champagne Bucket

An ice bucket is an essential when it comes to party-hosting goods. This one is one of our favorites because it has that old-school vintage look. In fact, it was designed with an heirloom quality in mind.

Marin White 3-Part Server

Another must-have? A trio of miniature bowls for nuts, candies, or anything else guests can easily pop in their mouth while they sip handcrafted libations or wait for the main course to arrive. We particularly love this set because they're all attached by a tiny handle.

Kilm Brass Bottle Stoppers, Set of Two

If, for whatever reason, there is some leftover wine, don't toss it in the trash. Save it for another day with these beautiful, sculptural bottle stoppers. Both red and white wine can last up to five days after opening.

Reality Hand Bowl

If there is one elegant and timeless way to accessorize a dining table, it's a fruit bowl, and this Harry Allen one is an easy favorite. For starters, it is so realistic, you'll be tempted to give it a graze to make sure it's not a pair of real hands. Secondly, it's so interesting that if there's a lull in conversation, this will certainly pick things up.

Palo Santo Sticks

After the hostess is done physically cleaning up after the party, let her clean the energy out too. Palo santo is the perfect way to do that. Simply light one end until the flame is deep within the stick, blow it out, and let the fragrant plumes waft through the air.

Electric Lighter

An electric lighter is perhaps the most practical hostess gift there is. After all, there's no real mood without a little candlelight, right? This nifty gadget, which is about the size of a pen, is much easier and faster to use than matches and those giant old-school lighters that were super finicky and often required two hands.

Italian Oil Ceramic Vessels

This is not just a beautiful vessel handmade in Puglia, Italy. It's also a tasty treat because it's filled to the brim with olive oil from the region. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it runs out, simply fill it with your own favorite oil.

Marble Wine Cooler

This marble wine chiller is another practical gift, but it doesn't skimp on beauty. Perhaps more than any natural stone, marble has an ability to keep liquids at their optimal temperature, which is why, back in the day, many bath tubs in wealthy homes were made entirely of marble. This wine cooler is a lot lighter and easier to maneuver than a tub, but it works the same way: keeping whatever is in it at peak temperature.

Gray Malin Backgammon Set

Backgammon has allegedly been around for millennia, but our earliest recordings stretch only as far back as 17th-century England. No matter, this clever game has clearly stood the test of time, as it's still a fun way to pass the time today. This set, designed by famed photographer Gray Malin, is one of the prettiest we've seen.

Talavera Tortilla Warmer

Anyone who's mastered the art of Mexican dishes knows how important a warm and pliable tortilla is to any dish from below the border. So if your host is whipping up their own set of bready goodness, this beautiful tortilla warmer makes for a great and useful present.

Marble Bowl Fruit Bowl

Can you tell we have a thing for marble? This handmade fruit bowl is made entirely of marble. In fact, it's carved from one single block to create those dreamy ruffled waves.

Old Havana Butter Dish

If this pattern looks familiar, that's probably because it's been a staple at Anthropologie since 2012, when the Old Havana collection made its debut. It may be named for its undeniable Cuban influence, but the entire collection, including this butter dish, is actually handmade in Portugal.

Strawberry Thief Tray

If your host likes to entertain her guests in the living area before inviting them into the dining room for the feast, an elegantly designed tray is a must. Whether she uses it for grab-and-go cocktails, finger food, or anything in between, she will appreciate how it elevates the feel of any soirée.

Whiskey Globe Decanter Set

If your hostess prefers an old fashioned to a glass of wine, this whiskey decanter set is the perfect way to thank her for her hospitality. Made from handcrafted glass and etched with a map of the world, the decanter itself is shaped like a globe.

Speakeasy Luxury Candle

To create the scent and ambiance of an elegant, smoky speakeasy room, go with this candle that combines notes of bourbon and palo santo. This candle makes a stylish addition to the coffee table long after it's burned out.

NYC Storefronts by Joel Holland, Nicolas Heller, and David Dodge

A good coffee table book can keep dinner party guests entertained while the hostess is at work preparing. This book pairs a thoughtful history of New York City with detail-filled illustrations, fostering a new respect for small businesses.

Hungry Hedgehog Food Server

This is definitely the cutest hostess gift. For your next gathering, bring skewered appetizers in this hedgehog server. It comes with 50 skewers and holds 25, so it’s ready to star at the next dinner party.

Classic Taper Candles, Set of 4

These colorful 18-inch taper candles will burn for 11 hours each with their rich hues adding a touch of elegance. Bonus points if you pair them with a pearly glass candle holder.

Good Grips Contoured Mess-Free Pepper Grinder

This pepper mill allows your choice of grit for your cracked pepper, whether you want extra texture in your cacio e pepe or some extra flavor in your salad. Plus it’s ceramic, so no worries about the blades corroding on you.

The Dinner Party Project by Natasha Feldman

Planning a dinner party tests the best of us. Never worry about what dessert to prep or what cocktail to pair again with this cookbook. You can even thank your host by having them come over next time.

Hosting Apron

Selena Gomez’s collaboration with Our Place created an apron fitting of the cooks you see in The Bear. The bright blue piece comes with a pleated back and high neckline, making it look like a party dress in its own right.

Espresso Martini Infusion Kit

Make the espresso martini extra simple to whip up at home. Simply add the liquor of your choice to this steeping jar. It will infuse with espresso beans, cacao nibs, and cinnamon over the course of a week and create a base for espresso martinis ready to pour.

Custom Message Shortbread Cookies

What’s better than a box of cookies? A box of 24 vanilla shortbread cookies that spell out your appreciation for your host, literally. A message of your choice will be stamped into these delicious cookies for your host to enjoy.

Floral Napkin Rings

Unlike floral centerpieces, these cheerful napkin rings will last forever—your host will love setting stunning tablescapes with them.

Unfiltered Raw Honey

Raw honey is a perfectly sweet gift, especially if you know your host drinks a lot of tea with honey. There are even flavored options like wildflower with lemon to choose from!

Island Trays

A host can never have too many trays, and this version by Amanda Lindroth comes in a multitude of sizes and varying leather strap colors. Carry cocktails to the back patio or serve up hors d’oeuvres in the den with this gorgeous willow tray.

The Intro Set

Don't miss your chance to gift this collection from Diaz's wine brand Avaline. It's a set of nine red, white, and sparkling wines from around the world that your hostess and her guests can enjoy. And as expected from the actress, the packaging couldn't be prettier.

Cheese Board and Knife Set

Not only does this cheese board fold up into one compact wedge for storage, but it also has a space for matching cheese knives.

Scented Soap Petals

Bet you can't believe these roses are made of soap? Well, believe it as the individual petals are perfect for hand-washing or they can be set out on the sink as air fresheners.

Ceramic Vases, Set of 2

A pair of organic-shaped vases that'll look chic in any room is sure to make a hostess smile.

All in Good Taste Book

A book that will actually put a hostess at ease because it takes the pressure off and throws out the outdated, stringent rules of entertaining. It's sure to be a page-turner!

Minute Cocktail Sugar Cube Trio

These sugar cubes turn a shot of liquor into the perfect cocktail almost instantly.

Bread Warming Blanket

Any avid baker will appreciate this bread warming blanket, which, unlike a regular cloth napkin, features a removable heatable pack to keep bread extra warm.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

What better addition to your host's home than a living plant? And in a cute pot, no less. Come bearing one of The Sill's potted plants (like this Fiddle Leaf Fig), and your host will have fond memories of your visit long after it's over.

Piped Edge Hand Towels

A personal touch goes a long way, and these Weezie hand towels are extra plush, so a monogram on them is a luxe, splurge-worthy gift.

Cozi Throw

Who can say no to a cozy throw? Whether outside by the fire pit or curled up inside with a cup of tea, your host is sure to use this super cozy wool blanket every season.

Stemless Wine Glasses, Set of 6

If you really want to spoil your host, get a set of these colored glasses, which add a wow factor to any tablescape or cocktail hour.

Stowe Eco Glass Bowl

Storing party leftovers never looked so good. Each container has an air-tight lid and comes in many sizes perfect for all the leftovers.

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