What makes for the perfect hostess gifts? As the effortlessly chic Ina Garten once said, don’t bring something the hostess feels like they need to serve. We’ve all been there—picking out a bottle of red wine based solely on the cute label, only to watch our host’s internal struggle over whether to stash it away or serve it with a dish that’s better suited for chardonnay. To avoid this gifting dilemma, we’ve parsed through SSENSE (and the rest of the internet) and rounded up our favorite hostess gifts—thoughtful, chic and sure to impress—perfect for your next holiday soiree.
Georg Jensen Silver Cobra Candle Holder Set
This set of designer candleholders is a simple yet modern version of something everyone wishes they had more of lying around the house. The Georg Jensen candle holder set comes in a set of three silver pieces. This particular three-piece makes a great gift because it is minimalistic and monochromatic. It also complements the rest of the Georg Jensen midcentury modern home line if your host decides to ever expand upon their collection.
Laetitia Rouget Plate Set
What good is a deliciously homemade meal if it’s not served on an Instagrammable plate? Laetitia Rouget makes an eclectic, vintage-inspired line of stoneware, decorated with tongue-in-cheek phrases like “Who Said I Can’t Cook?”. The entire collection of plates are handmade, so each one is unique and special.
Soho Home Coupe Set
The Soho Home “Brown Bennett” Coupe Set is a glass set of four drinking cups, with a ribbed stem at the base. Owning a matching set of glasses to serve to your guests is a true mark of a good host, and this collection is elegant yet unfussy. The amber shade on this set tends to go with whatever color palette the host already owns – making a great gift to use time after time.
Nico June Black Kantine Mug Set
Made in Portugal, these Niko June Mugs are stackable and small. The “Black Kantine” mug set is perfect for a couple who is minimalistic and enjoys a quiet moment to themselves, accompanied by a cup of morning coffee or a post-dinner shot of espresso to go with dessert.
Harlie Brown Studio Multicolor Melted Marble Wiggle Mug
This hand-painted “Multicolor Melted Marble Wiggle Mug” made by Harlie Brown Studio is a one of a kind. The piece is young and fun, with a twisted handle and splatter of colorful glaze. The rest of Harlie Brown Studio’s mugs have the same youthful touch, with unique imperfections and decorated with stars, stripes and checkers. This mug is the perfect gift for a host who is easygoing and likes to collect mismatched homeware.
Gohar Mother of Pearl Spoons
Serving spoons are a level of tableware that one typically achieves only after they’ve received gifts from their wedding registry, or an older relative passes them down. These iridescent mother of pearl serving spoons are crafted by artists Laila and Nadia Gohar, and are a part of the Gohar World x Champagne
Lallier collaboration. The set of four spoons is perfect for an evening soiree of canapés and hors d’oeuvres.
Lazy Jamie Snack Bowls
The Lazy Jamie “pecking order snack bowl” comes in a set of two silver, metallic bowls that are perfect for tablescaping. The set can be used during aperetivo hour, displaying fancy nuts and dried fruit for guests. The silhouette is also the classic Italian ice cream dish silhouette, coming in handy for the late-night dessert cravings. The Lazy Jamie website even offers the option to engrave the set of bowls, providing an opportunity to make a simple set of dishes into a keepsake for generations.
Gustaf Westman x SSENSE Black Chunky Cup & Saucer
We love this matching cup and saucer with a glossy black finish. The set is unique in its geometric form and looks out of this world. This gift is perfect for the hostess who has an at-home or in-office desk and doesn’t want to leave water marks on its surface.
GreenRow Hand-Painted Decorative Candles
Made in India, these decorative candles are made from fragrance-free wax and recycled glass. The candles come in Amber, Green, and Gray, for three different sized gifts. Just as we are now at the age where socks have turned into a great gift idea, I think you can never have too many candles.
Nickey Kehoe Mini Ice Bucket
If you’ve ever watched Architectural Digest tour a celebrity’s home, then you’ve probably heard of Nickey Kehoe. The brand is well-known for their interior decorating collection of textiles and fabrics, but also makes unique, hand-crafted pieces. This mini ice bucket can save your host from running back and forth from the fridge while making holiday cocktails.
Coffee Table Art Book
A collectible piece of art that can serve as an activity for the post-meal slump is a perfect gift idea in our books. There are an infinite number of antique photography collections on fashion, cars, food and wine that can accentuate a living space and provide entertainment for guests. Bonus points if it’s a signed edition.
Diptyque Ambre Room Spray
The famed fragrance house known for its beautiful bottles and memorable scents also makes delicious room sprays. Diptyque’s room sprays are gorgeous enough to keep out as a permanent living room fixture. Their scents mirror the formulas of the more expensive eaux de parfums and eaux de toilettes. Our favorites are the Ambre and the 34 Boulevard Saint Germain ones.
Yves Delorme Tea Towel
Made in France, these cotton tea towels are illustrative and dainty. We love how they look like a glimpse of art on the countertop (not a dirtied rag used to clean up messes). These towels portray scenes of city landscapes, collections of food atop antique dishware and pictures of floral nature.
