Back to the journalGIFT GUIDE · FOR THE HOSTS · 5 MIN READ

Host gifts that say thank you without adding to their to-do list.

Bring something they can enjoy tomorrow, not something they have to deal with tonight.

Pumpkins and candles on an autumn gathering table

The golden rule

A host gift is for after the party. Avoid anything that needs a vase, a plate or a decision while they are busy. Bring flowers already arranged, food labelled “for tomorrow,” and nothing that expects to be served.

For the morning after

The kindest gifts make the next day easier.

A bag of good coffee or loose tea with a note: “for your quiet morning”
Homemade granola, scones or a breakfast loaf, wrapped and labelled with the date
A jar of jam or marmalade with a small loaf of bakery bread
Freshly squeezed juice or a pancake mix kit for a slow breakfast

Things that look after the home

Practical, pretty and long-lived.

Linen tea towels in a color that suits their kitchen
A small potted herb (rosemary, thyme or mint) instead of cut flowers
Beeswax food wraps or a set of reusable storage containers for leftovers
A good-quality candle with a clean, subtle scent
A wooden spoon or serving board, perhaps with their initial burned or carved in

For the host who has done this many times

Seasoned hosts love the details that make hosting easier.

A guest book or “table journal” to record who came, what was served and what was said
Cloth napkins they will reuse at every gathering
A little box of matches, spare candles and place cards for the next party
A promise card: “I will stay and wash up after your next dinner”

A note to go with it

Write one specific sentence about the evening or about them: the toast that made everyone laugh, the dish you will be thinking about all week. It is often the part they keep.

Keep track of who gets what.

Note the ideas, where each gift is hidden, and what you spent, all on one page.

Print the gift tracker