From long weekends in the countryside to impromptu barbecues by the pool, summer is full of endless opportunities for hanging out with friends and family. When you’re a guest this summer, make sure you get invited back by bringing one of our memorable summer hostess gifts.
Every great gift is not about the price tag, but the thoughtfulness behind it. Is your host a domestic goddess a la Martha Stewart? Then let’s stock up the pantry with small-batch goodies, like this Flamingo Estate olive oil and balsamic vinegar for extra delicious caprese salads. Or a shiny new stainless steel cocktail shaker for margaritas and martinis. Don’t forget a set of embroidered monogrammed linen cocktail napkins for an added touch of elegance.
Maybe you want to start a pitch tournament or play a few rounds of gin during cocktail hour. Mark and Graham has so many pretty games! For cards, I love this double set of playing cards in a pretty acrylic case or this Aerin Lauder-esque raffia card set. I’ve recently become obsessed with backgammon. On my last vacation, I grabbed a magnetic travel set before leaving and delightedly played for hours!
One of my signature hostess gifts? A big bucket of beautiful, flaky French finishing salt. You can get the Maldon one on Amazon in a few different sizes, but I love the little over a pound option. The diamond patterned packaging is so cute that it’s ok to leave it on the counter, too.
When in doubt, everyone loves a candle. Flaming Estate makes my favorite ones, with rich, complicated scents you can’t find anywhere else. The Night Blooming Jasmine is lush and sexy, and you can even personalize it with a fun message. In the summer, I always have the Roma Heirloom Tomato one lit in some corner of the house.
Shop the rest of our best summer hostess gifts below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how, and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.
