21 of the Best Hostess Gifts to Give in 2021

Handcrafted from durable (and beautiful) ash wood, these utensils will look just as good in a host’s kitchen crock as they will as serving pieces at the table. The set includes a slotted spoon, ladle, spatula, and ceramic spoon rest made by the team at East Fork Pottery.

Flowers are great, but if you know someone with a green(ish) thumb, this pick has the potential to last so much longer. The kit comes with seeds and everything else needed to grow an aloe plant from scratch, so to speak.

Lots of us have recently honed (or discovered) our puzzle-solving skills. Help your hostess pal add a little friendly competition to her next gathering with 12 culinary-inspired puzzles. Each one only has 48 pieces so they can be completed quickly and make for a great post-feast game at the dinner table.

A fresh set of oven mitts and pot holders can really freshen up a kitchen. The team at Food52 queried more than 25,000 of their fans to find out what they wanted most in these products. The result: comfortable (and washable) cotton fabric, magnets and loops for hanging, extra length in the mitts to protect arms, and silicone that can withstand temps up to 650 degrees. We’ve gotta give them two thumbs up for these mitts!

Both homemade cakes and confections from a local bakery will shine atop this handcrafted walnut cake stand. It’s not fragile like the typical ceramic versions, so it could even be filled with smaller bites and easily passed around the table.

The Grace Farms Foundation is a nonprofit that works to address humanitarian issues, including forced labor. They have a beautiful campus in Connecticut that is open to visitors and has a bit of a following for the delicious, ethically sourced coffee they served. Now that coffee — along with tea and cookies — can be enjoyed anywhere with this sampler pack. And, of course, the proceeds support the organization’s core mission.

The swinging magnetic lid of this salt keeper makes it easy for a home cook to access what they need with just one hand. It’s carved from grainy olivewood, so each piece has its own unique look and will be at home on a kitchen counter or at a table.

Any hostess worth their salt knows that good lighting can really make a big impact on the look and feel of a dinner party. This sleek lighter is a definite upgrade from a book of matches, and also has a flashlight —just in case someone drops something under the table.

We’ve all moved on from plastic, but throwing produce into any old canvas bag isn’t the best way to protect it. These linen bags are great to bring along to the grocery store or farmers’ market and have a drawstring closure so nothing escapes when your favorite host picks up more than they intended.

This amber maple syrup from Vermont comes in a bottle that looks like it belongs in a craft bar setup. And what’s inside is equally as impressive. We love the idea of bringing a gift that your host can use in the morning after all their guests are gone.

Showing up to a dinner party with a bottle in hand is fairly expected. But what’s in the bottle can set you apart from the rest of the guests. Leave the wine and booze to the others and treat your host to some fancy oil and vinegar instead. The unexpected gift is sure to be put to use and might even get you a return invite.

These soft, durable napkins will hold up well for everyday use, but the textured fabric adds a little something extra for special occasions, too. And, a true host is sure to appreciate the unique strap on each one, designed to hold flatware, chopsticks, or a placecard.

Originally created just for New York City’s Eleven Madison Park restaurant, this exclusive cheese is only available from Murray’s. Made from cow's milk then washed in beer and aged in cheese caves, it has a soft, spoonable texture that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Trust us, it’s an indulgent treat that anyone would be happy to dig into.

Consider this enamel tray for the party thrower on your gift list. It’s an ideal size for a few canapes or cookies and will add a nice pop of color to any table.

Help someone easily give their everyday meals a little something extra with this collection of jarred spices. They’re filled with options that you won’t find in a typical grocery store like Black Urfa Chili, Cured Sumac, and Purple Stripe Garlic.

Haus sources the highest quality fruits, herbs, and botanicals from trusted farmers who supply Michelin-star restaurants. This variety pack is a great introduction to the brand, and could change how your favorite host approaches cocktails.

This four-inch marble bowl is a great size for serving dip, hummus, or guacamole. Fill it with homemade spiced nuts for an extra special touch.

Know someone who is doing so much it seems like they’re running on empty? Give them the pick-me-up they need before hosting their next event with this ultra concentrated coffee. Each bottle is enough for 14 servings, so there’s plenty to enjoy before the party and when they’re recovering the next day.

This design (from the company that actually invented tempered glass!) is a timeless classic that looks right at home on most tabletops. It also feels great in the hand, making it an excellent option for water, wine, and more.

The next time your favorite hostess wants to nibble on a bit of cheese, she'll be set. Assuming you gift her this small-ish cutting board. She can also use it cut up a lemon on a bar cart or mince some garlic for dinner.