Ugly-sweater parties, family road trips, and cocktail parties, oh my! The holiday season is a time to be with your nearest and dearest, and likely that will be at a party or get-together. There are a few rules for being a good guest: Don't overstay your welcome, share the cheese plate with others, and be as neat and tidy as possible. And while a host gift technically isn't required, it's a great way to show your appreciation (and maybe help you get an invite back next year).
So, in honor of your full social calendar, we've rounded up 29 gifts perfect for every host — and every budget.
Your host will appreciate that pineapples are a symbol of hospitality (or just how much they spruce up a bar cart).
W&P Design Pineapple Shot Glasses, $35, available at W&P Design.
These cute cheese markers are also a great way to design a cheese plate on the fly: Grab one thing that's soft, one that's stinky, hard, or crumbly, and you're good to go.
Terrain Cheese Variety Markers, $16, available at Terrain.
Your host will appreciate a good soak once all the guests have cleared out.
Woodlot Mineral Bath Salt, $26, available at Hello Crisp.
Even a host who made her entire food spread from Trader Joe's’ frozen section can handle making her own cheese, thanks to this ingenious little kit.
Urban Cheesecraft DIY Goat Cheese Kit, $29, available at Etsy.
Don't tell Christmas cookies, but we just might like peppermint bark better.
Williams-Sonoma The Original Peppermint Bark, $28.95, available at Williams-Sonoma.
Give the ultimate mixologist the ultimate bar set: a carafe for mixing up cocktails for a crowd, and two hand-etched glasses to sip from.
Love & Victory Galaxy Cocktail Set, $98, available at Carpenter Hill.
A simple, elegant laundry solution that also saves money on dryer sheets.
Parachute Wool Dryer Balls, $19, available at Parachute.
Make coffee hour a little chicer.
Rosanna Coffee Mugs (Set Of 4), $66, available at Nordstrom.
Oven mitts are a kitchen necessity — but most don't necessitate display, too. These are the exception.
Hello Delicious Oven Mitt Set, $12, available at Etsy.
For the host who's also a leftovers champ.
Bill Holding And Bex Cox Rainbow Nesting Container Set, $35, available at MoMa Store.
A blank set of cards is in every etiquette expert's arsenal, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice (with impeccable penmanship).
Rifle Paper Co. Monogram Cards, Set of 8, $16, available at Rifle Paper Co.
If monogram isn't her thing, give a personalized gift that's unique and useful: soap based on her zodiac sign.
Fresh Zodiac Soap Sign, $15, available at Sephora.
Protect the coffee table at all costs.
MeAConcrete Concrete Coasters, $29.50, available at Etsy.
Rather than the expected throw, try gifting Turkish towels: They're great for the home and the beach (and give off an oh-so-effortlessly-cool vibe).
Mayde Avoca Towel, $59.95, available at Mayde.
For the history nerd — or Lin-Manuel Miranda fan.
Fishs Eddy Dueling Shots, $14.95, available at Fishs Eddy.
A doorstopper of a coffee-table book, Houses Gardens People provides hours of design inspo from one of the undisputed authorities.
Knopf Vogue Living: Houses Gardens People, $55.38, available at Amazon.
Tea and toast, rejoice.
Bee Raw Varietal Honey Flight, $78, available at Terrain.
Give the same-old, same-old gelt that appears every year a run for its money.
Mouth Sweet On Hanukkah, $78.50, available at Mouth.
Can't decide on one gift? You'll win guest of the year with this collection of goodies from Local + Lejos, a company that invests money back into the global artisans who produce its goods.
Local + Lejos The Unity, $150, available at Local + Lejos.
Post-party clean-up is a breeze with the right Spotify playlist.
Kreafunk aGroove Speaker, $95, available at ABC Home.
The classic wooden spoon just got an upgrade.
Madewell x Food52 Rubber-Dipped Wooden Spoons, $29, available at Madewell.
An easy way to infuse a room with a calming scent, without having to wonder if you remembered to blow out all the candles.
West Elm Burnished Amber Diffuser, $39, available West Elm.
Pop in dried flowers or branches, or add a glass liner and use it for live bouquets, too.
All Across Africa Poppy Sunset Sisal Vase, Accompany, $36, available at Accompany.
Make sure you're fondly thought of all day long: Brooklinen's set of AM to PM candles has a scent for every time of day.
Brooklinen AM To PM Set, $59, available at Brooklinen.
A pitcher that filters water and looks nice on the table? Perfect.
Soma Water Filter Pitcher, $40, available at Garden Collage.
For a small treat, fancy matches will quickly supplant the collection of bar and restaurant freebies hanging around in every junk drawer.
Catbird Home & Lounge Kitten Matches, $4, available at Catbird.
At this price, you can afford to throw in an affordable bottle of bubbly, too.
Papersource Silver Reusable Wine Tote, $9.95, available at Papersource.
Sugarfina's box sets are perfect for sharing — or keeping to yourself.
Sugarfina 3-Piece Happy Holidays Bento Box, $26, available at Sugarfina.
Try the world, one snack break at a time.
Try The World Snack Box, $19, available at Try The World.
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