Behind the scenes, hosting can be hard work, from the prep — sending invites, setting the menu — to the inevitable sink full of dishes at the end of the night. That’s why a great host gift can go a long way in showing your gratitude for all of the time and effort they put into a dinner party, backyard barbeque or family gathering. It’s a small gesture that says thank you for opening up your home to us.

Plus, unlike a thank you note — which is always a good idea — hosts can enjoy your gift on the spot — or even incorporate it into the party. The gift ideas below are a great way to treat the host and show your gratitude, and might even get you an invitation to the next celebration.

Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

Selected.Our top picks

The best gifts for hosts in 2026

Below, we curated a variety of gift ideas that may be great for hosts, including NBC Selected editor favorites and products from brands we’ve tested and vetted.

They can spare their countertop and instead use this sculptural stone as a spoon rest, or to serve garnishes or even to hold jewelry while washing dishes. Made by one of our favorite AAPI-founded brands, each stone is made of sea glass and water pebbles, and has a smooth, glossy texture. It’s sold in sets of two.

Fellow is one of our favorite tea kettle brands, and this popular electric kettle is beloved for its convenient, precise gooseneck and large handle, which makes it easy to grip even when it’s full. It has a built-in stopwatch to control the brewing or steeping process, as well as exact temperature control. It also has a setting that’ll maintain the desired water temperature for up to 60 minutes.

Make their last-minute grocery run a little more playful — and sustainable — with these reusable bags. Each one is big enough to carry lunch and a few items (including heavy objects up to 50 pounds, according to the brand), and folds up into a small pouch when it’s not in use. The machine-washable bags, which are a favorite of many NBC Selected editors, are made of nylon and available in more than 20 colors and patterns.

BETA

We can help you find

Anyone who shops or even simply browses the digital shelves of Williams Sonoma will tell you the retailer’s Advent calendars are like no other. You can find a plethora of themed Advent calendars, including ones inspired by Harry Potter, The Grinch, Peanuts and other traditional fixtures of Christmas. This particular one is filled with tons of different pieces of chocolate, some filled with caramel and topped with sea salt.

NBC Selected commerce editor Cory Fernandez tried this Advent calendar and loved its variety. “I loved opening each of the doors on this so much that I got a little ahead of myself and opened several in the same day out of excitement,” he says.

Few things are as convenient as having fresh herbs on hand, and this indoor garden makes it possible whatever the weather. The stainless steel garden can hold six different plants using a grow light with an automatic timer to mimic natural sunlight, according to the brand. The garden comes with plant food and seeds to grow basil, parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil and mint.

Chances are the host of the party you’re attending will be exhausted the following day, so surprise them with something to help make their morning cup of coffee a little more exciting. This gift set includes three 5-ounce bottles of coffee syrups, including vanilla, chocolate mocha and salted caramel. Your gifte can add a splash of this to their brew or even to espresso martinis at the next celebration.

A gift basket is a great way to show your host some appreciation, particularly because they have so much variety and allow them to snack on food before, during and after the party. Wine Country Gift Baskets has several gift baskets to choose from, including ones with red and white wines, cookies, chips, candy, jam, cheese and much more. This basket includes cookies, hot cocoa mix, caramel popcorn and more. “I received one of the brand’s gift baskets and I loved that they came with all sorts of fun small bites, and each day I tried something new,” says Fernandez.

One can never have too many kitchen towels, and these versatile, cotton threads from Urban Villa serve double duty as towels and table linens. There are 36 color/print options to choose from on Amazon, and you can get them in various amounts, including sets of three, four or six.

Williams Sonoma | Since many of the parties you’ll be attending this year will likely happen on or around Thanksgiving, it’s a smart idea to give a host something they can eat or use for a day or two of post-party relaxation. This Grinch-themed popcorn kit includes a pack of popping corn, sweet and sour gummy candies and green salt to flavor the popcorn (or anything else you want to put it on). It all comes in a reusable Grinch-themed popcorn bucket that includes a lid.

This affordable gift will help make sure your host has something that is both functional and fun to keep on their coffee table or desk. This set includes four collapsible flower-shaped coasters that hold up glasses on tables, but also stack on top of one another on a stand. When they’re not in use, the coaster forms a miniature wooden tree, which works great as decor. Plus, they’re available in multiple sizes, so you can get one that works as a trivet for pots and pans.

The best thing about salt is that it will always go to good use, especially when it’s in the form of these kosher sea-salt crystals. They have a pyramid shape that gives them extra flavor and crunch, according to the brand. The patterned tub is also so pretty that you don’t need to wrap it. “These add a little something special to whatever you’re serving guests, be it a dip, salad or cookies,” says NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin. “My guests always comment on how much they love the added crunch, and many of them have asked me where they can get their own after the first bite.”

This popular Advent calendar is filled with tons of different jams, fruit preserves and even caramel spreads in beautiful glass jars that look good on a breakfast table or party spread. “This is one of my absolute favorite Advent calendars because it is well worth the cost and it has many different spreads and flavors,” says Fernandez. “Plus, I love being able to give a host something edible that they can use the days following the party.” If you want a smaller sample that isn’t a calendar, you can also get the Sampler Gift Tin, which includes nine jars of spreads.

If you know the host you’re gifting loves fresh flowers, 1-800 Flowers is one of the most reliable places to shop, particularly because you can also have them delivered same-day, with a vase. This spares them the work of cutting stems and finding a vase like they have to do when you just bring flowers from a florist or market. This beautiful orchid is small and comes with a square glass vase. Plus, this particular variety is non-toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA.

This product is both functional and quirky. The colorful, beech wood grinder, which can grind salt or pepper while doubling as a conversation starter for its abstract look. The grind consistency is adjustable, and it comes in two color options — one with black accents and one with white accents.

Bring the fun with Bananagrams, where players pull letter tiles at random and race others to use them to create a crossword; whoever completes a word grid first wins. This set has 144 letter tiles and is suitable for players 10 years or older, according to the brand. It’s a great group activity that gets people off their screens.

This bread baking bowl is a great ideal for the baker in the family. It makes it easy to create a 1.5-pound round loaf or boule. The clay bowl works for any type of dough and helps you get a crispy crust by trapping steam, according to the brand.

From one of our favorite AAPI-owned businesses comes this set of four sauces, which includes the brand’s original Japanese Barbecue Sauce as well as three riffs: Sweet and Spicy, Roasted Garlic and Sweet Honey. Each is vegan and cold-filled, which is a process that eliminates the need for preservatives, flavorings and additives, according to the brand.

Upgrade their caffeine fix with a frother, which they can use to create both hot and cold foams to top off drinks. The interior of the steamer can froth dairy and nondairy milks in a matter of seconds, according to the brand. Your recipient can wipe it clean and the lid is dishwasher safe.

This hand cream has a fresh, powdery scent and will keep your giftee’s hand moisturized without any greasy residue. “I first bought this hand lotion a couple years ago and I was immediately amazed by how fast it dries,” says Fernandez. “It leaves my hands feeling smooth and healthy.” It’s also available in a 1-ounce tube, which is great for keeping on a bedside table.

The green glass, which is inspired by a herring, is from Serax’s Fish & Fish tableware collection. It’s dishwasher safe and suitable for plating small bites and appetizers. It weighs a little under a pound, so it’s got a bit of heft for a small dish. The brand also has similar glassware, including the Bottle Green Fish and green drinking glass. You could put them all together in a box to make a cohesive gift set for your host of choice.

This hand soap from luxury fashion brand Loewe is formulated with jojoba oil and aloe vera to hydrate as you wash and it smells like tomato vines just before they fruit. “I treated myself to this soap a while back after hearing a ton of buzz about it — and totally get why people love it,” says NBC Selected commerce editor Bethany Heitman. “The bottle looks chic on my sink, the formula really does moisturize and the scent lingers long after I finish washing my hands.”

It’s a genuinely smart gift: It’s something they’ll reach for every single day, but a $90 soap is exactly the kind of luxury most people would never splurge on for themselves.

Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.

How I picked the best gifts for hosts

To find the best gift recommendations for hosts, I considered products that I and/or my NBC Selected colleagues have tested or used and have recommended in the past. I made sure to include products across categories, including cooking, entertaining, leisure, everyday essentials, decor and edible gifts. I also considered gift ideas based on products that I’ve received, either as a gift from a friend or family member, or as a sample from a brand for testing.

Why trust NBC Selected?

Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty and wellness writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade. She’s written stories about retinol-safe body lotion and skin care products with peptides. For this article, Pai considered products that she and NBC Selected staffers have covered in the past and/or use themselves.

Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Selected who writes about home and kitchen appliances, cleaning, organization, gift guides and more. He’s written stories about the best gifts for men and gifts for people who love cooking. He updated this story with gift recommendations based on his shopping and product testing experience.

Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.

Source: NBC News · Cory Fernandez

At a glance

Topic
World
Country
🇺🇸 US
Publisher language
EN
Added to Allnira