It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially if you don’t have to clean up after everyone. This year, if you’re a guest at Thanksgiving, think about giving something a little more thoughtful than your go-to pinot to pair with turkey. Hostess gifts should be something that they can enjoy long after the final plate has been scraped clean and the dessert has been served up. It should be something tailored to their interests, so they’ll use it in their actual, non-hosting life. And for a fun bonus, it will launch you to the top of the favorite guest list.
If your host loves Barefoot Contessa and can make an apron look like couture, then get her something that will make cooking feel luxurious. Our best bet? A giant tub of Maldon salt, perfect for finishing salads, scrambled eggs, and chocolate chip cookies. And if you get them salt, they’re going to need something to keep it in, like this olive wood salt keeper from Williams Sonoma. Or step up her salad dressing and vegetable roasting game with a set of Brightland olive oil, which is made in California and tastes just as good as it looks.
If she’s a home fanatic, boy do we have options for you. It’s hard to get something funnier, cooler, or more glamorous than this Tom Ford F***king Fabulous candle. And if you have a candle that amazing, you want to take good care of it with a snuffer and wick trimmer. Maybe she’s more into unscented. We’re obsessed with these Areaware totem candles in different shapes and colors. Finally, these resin trays from Gaetano Pesce are really special, and a fun update for a catchall.
If they’re the queen of monograms, then get them something personalized. Linen cocktail napkins are elegant and old-fashioned, but slap a colorful monogram on them for a modern update.
Shop 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.