Hostess Gifts for Thanksgiving and Holiday Parties

Arriving with a small gift is one of the nicest ways to thank someone for opening their home. This guide gathers hostess gifts for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, a drinks night or a holiday dinner, from a holiday cookbook to a board for the snack table. Each pick is easy to carry, easy to wrap and useful long after the party.

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Lunar 6-Piece Stainless Steel Cheese Knife Set

Six cheese knives and serving tools for setting out a cheese board.

Suits: Hosts who put out a snack board when guests arrive

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Christmas Baking: Festive Cookies, Candies, Cakes, Breads & More

A holiday baking book with recipes for cookies, breads, cakes and other seasonal treats.

Suits: Hosts who love to bake for the holidays

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Ava Nord Stoneware Coffee Mugs, Set of 4 (Sage)

Four stoneware mugs in a calm sage glaze for coffee, tea or hot cocoa.

Suits: Hosts who set out warm drinks for guests; a gift that gets used

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Molton Brown Discovery Body Wash Collection

A boxed set of small body washes in different scents from the British bath brand Molton Brown.

Suits: Hosts who like a spa-style guest bathroom

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SMIRLY Bamboo Charcuterie Board Set

A bamboo serving board with cheese tools for laying out snacks and appetizers.

Suits: Hosts who entertain often and love a holiday snack table

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The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

A holiday cookbook of easy recipes for gatherings all through the year.

Suits: Hosts who cook for a crowd at family gatherings

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How to choose a hostess gift

1. Choose something they can enjoy later. Your host will be busy on the night, so a cookbook, mugs or a bath treat they can enjoy after the guests leave is kinder than something that needs attention right away.

2. Match the gift to how they host. A host who bakes will love a holiday recipe book, while one who sets out snacks may reach for a new board or cheese knives every time.

A good hostess gift doesn't need to be big; it just needs to feel considered. Check each Amazon listing for dimensions, materials and care instructions, and order early if you have several gatherings on the calendar. For more ideas, see Hosting & Entertaining Essentials and Hostess & Holiday Table Finds.