These Budget-Friendly Host Gifts Are Perfect for Holiday Parties
Because arriving empty-handed still feels a little weird, these thoughtful gifts under $30 are just enough to say thanks.
Thomas J. Story
We’ve all gotten that text before a party: “Don’t bring anything! Your presence is enough!” While it’s very sweet—but should we really bring nothing?
According to the Emily Post Institute—an organization teaching modern etiquette, manners, and behavior—arriving empty-handed isn’t a violation of etiquette rules. While guests don’t have to bring any host gifts to a casual dinner, a small gift might be customary for other types of events. In other words, if your host says that you don’t have to bring anything, you really can take them at their word.
But if showing up empty-handed makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, there’s no problem with bringing something as a token of appreciation. The key is choosing something that doesn’t create more work for someone who’s already busy hosting. Emily Post suggests easy-to-receive gifts like chocolates, preserves, olive oil, candles, or cocktail napkins—if it’s something edible, don’t expect your host to serve it that night.
Consider good coffee for the next day, special pantry treats, or a candle to burn when all guests leave. Between $20 and $30 is sufficient to say “thank you” without going overboard. These 15 gifts below hit the sweet spot.
Something Special for the Pantry
A pantry staple is the safest choice: it’s something that will last long after the event is over and does not require immediate consumption.
The Seasoned Olive 4-Pack Bestseller Gift Pack
For the host who’s always cooking something on the stovetop, give them four new ways to dress it up! This Seasoned Olive sampler includes miniature bottles of their bestselling oils and vinegars.
Savory Spice Premium Finishing Salt Trio
Salt might not scream “party gift,” but fancy salt might. Savory Spice gives home cooks three finishing salts to experiment with, but their other bundles such as the Movie Night Popcorn Trio for $20 or the Gourmet Wing Trio for $24 are great options as well.
Bushel & Peck’s Classic Hot Sauce Trio
For the host who believes everything needs more heat, consider this trio of hot sauces. This Bushel & Peck’s pack includes their iconic Habanero, Jalapeño, and Sweet Chili sauces, all packaged in a gift box. It’s a little more unexpected than the usual host gift—and something they can pull out long after the party is over.
A Little Something Sweet
Chocolate, cookies, honey, or other sweets are great gifts, but do not imply changing your host’s dessert menu to serve them.
Charles Chocolates Small Artisan Chocolate Gift Set
Chocolate is the universal language of love, but this isn’t your last-minute grocery-store candy bar. Bay Area-based Charles Chocolates packs chocolate-covered almonds and two of its delicious bars into a small gift box.
Taconic Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Save the wine for dinner and bring something for pancakes instead. The Saratoga Olive Oil Company ages maple syrup in bourbon barrels, adding some luxury to an everyday breakfast staple.
La Monarca Bakery Mexican Cookie Collection
Why bring one type of cookie when you can bring four? Los Angeles-based La Monarca Bakery’s collection includes Mexican wedding cookies, mini orejitas, cinnamon cookies, and polvorones, all packaged in a ready-to-gift box.
For the Next Morning
After cooking, cleaning, and hosting, a morning treat may be more appreciated than anything ready-to-eat.
Seven Virtues Coffee Roasters Mexico Yogondoy
Tonight they’re hosting. Tomorrow morning, they’ll be revitalized thanks to this coffee. Portland’s Seven Virtues specializes in single-origin beans, and its Mexico Yogondoy gives your host something to look forward to once the house is back in order.
Gifts for Good Saffron Rooibos Herbal Tea Blend
Not everyone is a coffee person, so consider this caffeine-free tea that incorporates saffron. It makes for a perfect treat for the tea lover, and your money goes towards a good cause, as the product supports the employment of Afghan farmers.
Butte Creek Mill Pancake and Maple Syrup Gift Box
Tonight’s dinner is covered, so bring your host something to look forward to tomorrow morning. Oregon’s historic Butte Creek Mill pairs their Heritage Pancake Mix, enjoyed for over 50 years, with a bottle of maple syrup. All they have to do is whisk and heat the griddle.
Something for the House
Not all gifts have to be edible. Candles, cocktail napkins, or any other small household item is both thoughtful and non-cluttering.
Gray Stone Green Moss Favorite Coffee Shop Candle
If they love coffee but don’t need another bag of beans, consider gifting them the smell instead. This hand-poured candle has notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and pastry, perfect for the cozy coffee shop vibes.
Small Batch Sea Bird Mixed Linen Cocktail Napkin Set
For someone who hosts often, give them something for the next party. Small Batch’s linen cocktail napkins feel just a bit more special than a stack of paper napkins.
Covet & Ginger Bud Vase
Flowers are a classic host gift, but leaving your host scrambling for a vase might be a problem. This hand-thrown ceramic from Covet + Ginger solves this issue. Consider adding a few stems beforehand.
Something They’d Never Buy Themselves
The best gift items can also be small luxuries someone would never think to buy for themselves, or have them wondering why they don’t own it already.
Columbia Restaurant Olive the Holidays Bundle
Anyone can bring a jar of olives. Bring a dish for them, too. This set pairs a hand-painted ceramic olive tray with Spanish olives, leaving your host with a multi-functional gift after the olives disappear.
Bar Necessities Classic Citrus Trio
For the host who takes their home bar seriously, give them the perfect finishing touch. Bar Necessities’ citrus trio comes with more than 45 dried slices ready to garnish everything, from margaritas to mojitos.
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