38 Host Gifts That'll Help Make You The Number One Guest
A bottle of wine is always reliable but these gifts will probably make you their favorite person.
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1. A Hand of the King bottle opener for the GoT fan who drinks and knows things (and invites you over to drink with them).
Promising review: "I bought this opener for my girlfriend who loves lagers just as much as I do. She absolutely adores it. This seriously makes the perfect gift for any Game of Thrones enthusiast who is also enthused to throw some cold ones down the hatch. If you or your good friend love Daenerys, cannot open your Heineken with your teeth, and you do not buy this bottle opener, then 'you know nothing, Jon Snow.'" —Luke Shray
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
2. A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey they'll instantly get hooked on (so feel free to bring two).
Promising review: "This is now a staple for my kitchen. How I cooked without it before, I'll never know. Makes the best vinaigrette ever, quick pan sauces for pork, unexpected zip in dozens of dishes. Does it come in gallons? Have given it as hostess gifts several times and everyone gets hooked." —Martha Ronemus
Get it from Amazon for $8.48.
3. A marble crock that'll not only keep the wine cool but will also look attractive on any table. Bonus: it can also be an elegant utensil holder for the non-wine drinker.
4. A literary cocktail book so they're never out of clever drink ideas, from Romeo and Julep to The Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose.
Promising review: "Clever cocktails that are equally as delicious. I've mixed about half of them since buying this and have yet to be disappointed. The materials are good quality, and the cover design is aesthetically pleasing. I leave it visible when company comes because it has been such an effective conversation starter." —Emily Jones
Get it from Amazon for $10.24.
5. A small but mighty knife sharpener, because if your host is preparing a meal for everyone, the least you could do is make sure they have sharp, fast knives!
Read our full review of the KitchenIQ knife sharpener!
Promising review: "Wow, this little gadget is pretty amazing! I have some old (expensive) non-serrated knives that are supposed to never need sharpening but unfortunately, lost their sharp edge long ago. I saw this gadget and decided to try it. I set the bottom of this gadget on the edge of the counter and ran one of the knives through the side labeled 'Coarse' about 10 times, then ran it through the side labeled 'Fine' another 8-10 times. Bingo! The knife was transformed back to its former high-dollar cutlery glory. I could hardly believe how effectively it had sharpened the knife, which I had been ready to throw away a week before. I've been happily sharpening all our knives and trying to add up in my head how much money I've saved by NOT having to buy another set of expensive knives. I don't know where else you can spend $6 and get this return for the money. Great score!" —Schelly L. Wagoner
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in three colors).
6. A copy of Magnolia Table (by interior design whiz Joanna Gaines) to give them plenty of tasty ideas for the next dinner party.
Promising review: "This is probably the prettiest cookbook I have ever gotten. I received one as a gift, and I ordered this one to give as a gift. It makes the perfect housewarming or hostess gift. The recipes are not fussy and easy to prepare as well as delicious. It has everything from appetizers, brunch, entrees, and desserts. The pictures are beautiful. I don’t like things on my counter but this is so pretty I made an exception. My husband loves to cook and is using it. It even won him over. I highly recommend this cookbook." —Elle J
Get it from Amazon for $16.59.
7. A luxe throw blanket that'll look great draped over their couch. And because they could always use an extra blanket for overnight guests.
Promising review: "This blanket is amazing! I was a little skeptical because of the cost. But it's heavy and so soft AND I can throw it in the wash. After washing a couple of times the quality has not changed. I think I'll order another one!" —JESSICA PICARDI
Get it from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
8. A bathroom guest book so visitors can leave funny messages for the host to peruse later.
Promising review: "We’ve bought a couple of these books. One for our downstairs guest bathroom and we’ve given a few as hostess gifts when traveling. They are very nice guest books and always amusing for people to find. Never know what you’ll find written in there after your neighbors have had a few cocktails...lol. It is a nice looking book with pages that your guests can fill out and be entertained by when using the restroom." —R A.
Get it from Amazon for $13.21.
9. A fragrant double-wick candle with a pretty tin they can reuse after it's finished burning.
The burn time is approx. 40–100 hours. The scent is sweet white tea mixed with grapefruit, peach, pineapple, and jasmine.
Promising review: "Maybe it's a little weird to write a review for a candle, but this one is so good, I had to tell others. The scent is incredible — similar to ones I've paid four times as much for and with the double wick, the scent is strong and travels far. The packing is a beautiful illustration art. I admire it. Definitely worth the money — would make a great gift! Highly recommend!" —Pam
Get it from Amazon for $16.98.
10. Or, a candle with location-based scents to remind them of their hometown. Bonus: it'll get people talking about their own hometowns.
The burn time is approx. 60–80 hours.
Promising review: "This candle smells beautiful! It smells like springtime in Missouri. Just like the flowering trees that we had in my backyard when I was growing up. My father just passed away, and this is just what I needed to remind me of home now that I live thousands of miles away." —La Lola
Get it from Amazon for $29.50 (available in states, cities, and countries).
11. Mini bottles of bitters for hosting happy hour at their home bar.
Promising review: "These are just so good. Good in clear booze, good in La Croix. Just good. I gave this to my friend as a Christmas present after someone brought some to my house, and I gave them to her when we were at happy hour and all the bartenders were checking them out." —Jill Hancock
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $21.16.
12. A pack of hydrating sheet masks so they can relax and treat their skin post-soiree. It's not easy being host!
Promising review: "I've been using Face Shop sheet masks for years, and they never disappoint. I like the fit and the scents of the masks. They're always hydrating without being irritating or causing breakouts. I love to use them when my skin needs an extra boost of moisture or just as a thing to do to pamper myself with and relax." —bf
Get a 15-pack from Amazon for $13.99.
13. A set of diamond pens they can use to jot down details for the next ~glamorous~ get-together.
Promising review: "So pretty!!! I bought as a gift for a friend and couldn’t help but to buy myself a set, too. I’m glad I did! These pens are adorable! They have a good weight but aren’t top-heavy. I touched the gem to my teeth, and it feels like glass. I was worried the gems would be a little cloudy when I saw them in person, but when I got them, I was super impressed at how clear and firey they are! The ink is black, and they write smooth. I’d say a medium ballpoint. They come in three NICE clear snap-open boxes which are then sealed in cellophane. They’re gift-worthy straight from the mail. I would TOTALLY buy as gifts for more ladies, and I WILL! Very impressed for the price!" —Pickles
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.99.
14. An aerator set to make young wines taste smooth in a matter of minutes.
Promising review: "If you're like me and drink a lot of young 'table wine,' this is something you should have. Unlike traditional decanters that take time to soften your wine, this decanter softens the wine very quickly. If you've ever used a Vinturi, then you'll understand this decanter. The top of the decanter is very similar to the Vinturi devices and aerates the wine as it's being poured. It has a sediment filter which is very nice. I never realized just how much sediment was in my wine." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $42.08.
15. A sturdy cheese slicer, because slicing cheese for a party of 10+ is tiring as heck.
16. An infusion pitcher so they'll always have a refreshing fruit-flavored drink in the fridge ready for guests.
Promising review: "This is the BOMB for my lemon-infused water and green tea. It looks pretty, too. You can also try a variety of fruits, herbs (like mint), or cucumber — like the St. Regis spa has. This also makes the perfect hostess gift. It's thoughtful, healthy, and at a perfect price point. Everyone should order four of these to keep on hand for little gift occasions that come up." —Sandy B.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
17. A crab multitool they can use to pop open extra bottles of booze or cut open food packaging in a pinch.
It has a pair of mini scissors, a bottle opener, a 3/16' flat head screwdriver, a can opener, and a rope saw.
Promising review: "Surprisingly good quality. The tools are sharp and sturdy. It's a bit bigger than I expected, so pay attention to the dimensions before ordering. The scissors are the best quality I've seen on these multi-tools. Will make a great gift to somebody. I saw it in a magazine once and decided I had to have it." —#1 Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.94.
18. A set of woven cotton coasters that'll actually absorb condensation and protect their expensive wood table from watermarks. They'll also double as pot holders and trivets.
Promising review: "How many times has someone put something super hot on my wood table and created a hot spot? I wanted something functional and pretty to leave on my table so that this wouldn't happen again! These pot holders are the perfect solution for my farmhouse-style kitchen. They are perfect for protecting your wood table and look great, too! A win-win!!!" —DLVB
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in four colors).
19. An Instax camera for a great way to document each party — everyone can take home photos as a keepsake (and the rest the host can keep and make into an album).
Promising review: "Instant cameras are making a comeback and the Instax is a great little camera to buy. Great for parties, weddings, and other social occasions. I’ve bought this as a gift for parents and friends. The novelty of it is a lot of fun! Easy to load and start using right away. It’ll give you the lo-fi, saturated, vintage look people try to accomplish through filters on Instagram at the click of a button. Polaroid has even brought back their one-step design but for the price, Instax is the way to go." —Evahnsan
Get it from Amazon for $55.95 (available in five colors).
20. A ~bouquet~ of wine charms so each guest can pick their own flower and no one will accidentally drink someone else's merlot. Unlike a real bouquet, it'll last forever.
21. A gorgeous pack of playing cards featuring illustrations of famous musicians they'll want to show off to all their guests. People might be too intrigued by the actual cards to focus on a game of poker, though.
Here's all you need to know about these cards: Pop = Hearts; Rock 'n' Roll = Spades; Folk and Country = Diamonds; Soul, Blues, and R&B = Clubs.
Get it from Amazon for $9.42. Also available in an artist edition.
22. A set of metallic cocktail spoons that'll make a perfect addition to their bar cart.
These are dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: "Love the colors of these spoons. I make lots of sangria in the summer and use these spoons to mix the fruit and the drink. I serve sangria in beautiful glass containers with the spoons so my guests can scoop out the fruit. They look great and it's fun to have multiple colors." —Yana Rodin-Tracy
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $16.99.
23. A silicone popcorn maker to take their movie nights to the next level. They can abandon store-bought packets and enjoy fresh, movie theater–quality popcorn (with little to no oil needed).
Promising review: "This is awesome! I love popcorn. I worked at a movie theatre as a teen and loved perfecting the popcorn, oil, salt ratio. But now that I'm grown and I don't have access to a commercial popcorn machine, I am always sad I can't have yummy popcorn. My sweet husband bought this for my birthday and I love, love, love it!!! I will be buying this for all future gifts until all of my family members have one. It's just that awesome. No need for a bulky popcorn maker, and the box will tell you how to make the popcorn. I used a bit of melted butter instead of oil and some Flavocal for the salt. So good! And the box has a link for more recipes for yummy popcorn. This is one happy girl now that my popcorn drought is over. It's just so nice to find a cool product that is actually legit and not some gimmick that doesn't even work. If you're thinking about buying it, do it!" —Drake Chappell
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in eight colors).
24. A box of literary-themed postcards so they can stay in touch with long-distance friends who couldn't make it to the party.
Promising review: "I purchase postcards frequently, and these are some of the best I've ever bought. The cards are thick and sturdy, the finish is glossy, and the illustrations are phenomenal. The quotations also aren't the typical ones used for each author, I love the originality. I also love that there are two sets of 50 designs — I didn't realize it initially and didn't want to send any out! But now I can share with my friends and still keep a set for myself. Love this!" —Nancy Gu
Get it from Amazon for $15.57.
25. A modern brass-finish photo frame they'll be glad to display on the mantel or console table.
Promising review: "Beautifully unique frame! This frame really gave our dull mantel a pop with the dimension and color! It was extremely easy to put the picture in and little did I know you can also hang it from the wall screws included! Great gift for others or yourself. :) Lightweight but heavy enough not to worry about it falling over." —Lindsay Thornburg
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four sizes and five colors).
26. A pack of Mrs. Meyer's hand soap, because every host could use more hand soap — especially ones that are natural and smell good.
Promising review: "Amazing scents! Perfect for any sink in your house. This is a bargain and a half — you get six different scents. Personal faves — geranium and honeysuckle! Buying again for small thank you gifts and stocking stuffers." —Caleb Hudgens
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $27.43.
27. A quirky dish towel for the host who is a great cook and has a sassy sense of humor. (They're probably also your best friend.)
Promising review: "Colors are as pictured and the cotton fabric is quality. And by the way, it’s hilarious!" —Kathy Johnson
Get it from Amazon for $11.
28. A bamboo cutting board with interchangeable, color-coded cutting mats so food prep will be a breeze.
29. A murder mystery game guaranteed to yield a night of fun. It includes instructions, recipes, character profiles, costume ideas, and more.
Reviewers say it takes about four hours to complete the mystery.
Promising review: "What a thrilling dinner party! A Taste for Wine is set in Napa Valley, California, at the Underwood Winery. The kit includes everything you need for an evening of drama and accusation. Invitations, character booklets, secret clues, party planning guide, and place cards help set the stage. And the character names are hilarious! A CD is included with an account of the opening scene (murder!), along with summaries of each round of dialog. Finally, Bridget Bordeaux wraps up the event by naming the killer. We only used the CD for the beginning and end, after sharing our best guess of the murderer's identity. Wonderful fun!" —Teachezwell
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
30. A pack of wine markers for labeling anything from glasses to cheese plates.
Write and let dry for three to five minutes and the ink won't smear throughout the party. Don't worry — the ink washes off later with warm soapy water so clean-up won't be a headache.
Promising review: "They write clearly and do not smudge or come off when fingers are placed over the writing. They also wash off easily when finished with the wine glass. Cannot wait to order these for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. I would highly recommend these!!!" —Mary C
Get a seven-pack from Amazon for $7.99.
31. An owl trivet that'll answer the question of ~hoo~ brought the best host gift.
Promising review: "Simply beautiful. It's kitchen artwork with a purpose! I bought it for my niece who loves owls. I opened it up to make sure it was good before I gave to her and found it stunning for a trivet. It's a good size, nice, and heavy. Holds pots or hot plates nicely. I just can't get over the craftsmanship of this piece. I wanted to keep it for myself, but I'll look to see if they have something else to match my kitchen. I would recommend to use it or just have to display." —L. Wessel
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two finishes).
32. A Bluetooth speaker so they can move the background music from room to room without worrying about wires.
Promising review: "I love this little speaker! I also have a Bose SoundLink Color speaker which does have better bass than this Anker speaker, BUT the battery on this Anker speaker more than makes up for that; I would say it's just as loud as the Bose and clearer. I have had this speaker for almost six months now and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I have charged it twice! I have people over for dinner parties and go to the beach for five hours at a time, and somehow it never drains? I don't quite understand it but it's amazing, and highly recommended!" —Chad Brown
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in three colors).
33. A pour-over coffee maker even the pickiest caffeine lover can appreciate.
Promising review: "Super easy to use, makes a mean cup of joe, and is nowhere near the price of a Chemex. I use mine on a daily basis and would absolutely recommend this product to any of my coffee loving friends." —Brad Lemons
Get it from Amazon for $19.84+ (available in four sizes and four colors).
34. A set of whiskey cubes that'll chill their liquor without diluting it.
Promising review: "These work so great! I hate it when my whiskey gets watered down because I like to keep it chilled, and these fixed all of my problems! Plus, when my guests come over they are always intrigued and impressed by the chic design! Definitely makes my bar seem more sophisticated!" —Courtney Gray
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $14.99.
35. A box of conversation topic cards to help strangers break the ice and old friends learn new things about each other.
Promising review: "I bought this set after having received the 'dinner party' edition as a gift. It is a great icebreaker at any gathering. I took my 'dinner party' set to a holiday gathering to share some fun conversations. It was an instant hit. So I have purchased this original set for our hostess on that evening. The nice thing is that it isn't a game that demands scoring or a specific time. It is simply conversation starters." —Teej
Get it from Amazon for $25 (check out all the editions).
36. A set of terracotta watering spikes so they can go on vacation without worrying about their plant babies. Plus, they can put those empty wine bottles to good use.
Promising review: "I ordered these plant waterers to keep my office plants alive while away on vacation. They worked well — there was still water in the wine bottles when I returned 11 days later. Yay. Okay, so vacation is over, time to put the terracotta waterers away until next time, right? Wrong! I use them in my 'needy' plants all the time now. This includes my plants that used to need water every day and those that I have to remember to water once every two weeks. Both seem to do well with the terracotta waterer — I just keep an eye on the water level and refill as needed." —OutdoorJunkie
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99.
37. A pair of alpaca cookie cutters any baker ~wool~ be obsessed with. The best part is you'll get to enjoy the finished product when they invite you over for afternoon tea.
Promising review: "I have several metal cookie cutters from various companies, and they are either too rigid or too flimsy, making getting the cut cookie out difficult. I found these to have the perfect amount of flex to release a cookie nicely, even the ears on the llama. I will definitely make a purchase in the future." —Amazon Customer
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $7.99.
38. A cast iron skillet that'll come in handy for both brunch and dinner.
Promising review: "I own just about every make of cast iron out there, and this is the BEST piece I have ever used. Pretty well-seasoned from the factory, nice smooth cooking surface. I love the longer curved handle and oversized pour spouts (they actually pour the liquid, not spill it out of the pan). This has quickly become my favorite piece of cast iron and will be buying more." —Will
Get the 10-inch option from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six sizes).
This is our pick for the best mid-priced cast iron skillet on BuzzFeed Reviews!
When they open your very thoughtful gift:
Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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