As we usher in the busy holiday season, taking time to give thoughtful and elegant gifts is always at the top of our list. Using good taste to choose delightful hostess gifts is a powerful way to give thanks to those who feed, house, and bring together guests. We've rounded up our favorite holiday hostess gift ideas (oh so perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s) that are functional, festive, and (of course) designer worthy.
Paris is always a good idea! This 1950s print depicting a Merry-Go-Round will add chic playfulness to your abode. One-of-a-kind, and available at Sara Hillery Home.
We love these chocolate truffles by Louis Sherry nestled in a keepsake John Derian tin. Each decorated tin contains 12 Belgian truffles in flavors like Passion Fruit Kumquat and Turkish Coffee and begs to be repurposed for office or bedside table needs when the chocolates are all gone.
You can’t go wrong with a coffee table book, and THE LIVING ROOM book by the Design Leadership Network shares photographs of beautiful living room designs by interior designers. We were honored to be among the interior designers included in this book. Perfect for architecture and interior design lovers, this tome provides thoughtful and practical advice for executing projects in a variety of sizes.
This backgammon set by Aerin and Gracie Studio is a splurge, but we can’t imagine a prettier gift (and it’s on Sara’s wish list too)! Flowers and birds adorn the inside and outside of the set, making it as gorgeous to look at when it’s on a shelf as when players are in a fierce battle to bear off their pieces.
Jo Malone candles have a cult following for good reason: they last and last (approximately 45 hours) and are deliciously fragrant without being cloying or overwhelming. Sara’s favorite scent, Red Roses, will transport your hostess straight to a lush garden in bloom, no matter what time of year.
For the hostess who values elegance and artistry, this handcrafted porcelain trinket box from Ginori 1735 is an heirloom worthy gift. Made in Italy, the floral-themed box can hold jewelry or small mementos of your friendship.
These are such an easy, and chic, hostess gift - one you can turn into a game at any event! The beautiful design reminds us of our visit to Nantucket by Design earlier this year. Get yours at Tuckernuck before they are sold out!
Flowers are an evergreen hostess gift, but you can level up by bringing them in one of these beautiful vases by Piano Piano, handcrafted in Italy.
Tis the season for a holiday cocktail! Created in collaboration with Baccarat and embroidery designer Kim Seybert, this set of linen napkins includes six different embroidered, hand drawn cocktail glasses to inspire your hostess’s drink list.
A festive addition for a holiday or New Year’s party (or anytime you want instant party vibes), these confetti glasses at Anthropologie bring a punchy flair to old fashioneds or to good ole fashioned punch.
Caroline’s Cakes is a South Carolina based bakery (with easy shipping options - perfect for easy and delicious gifting!) This caramel cake is a southern delicacy that will impress your hostess, whether she serves it to the crowd or keeps it for herself!
This bamboo flatware set proves that fun and funky style doesn’t always have to be accompanied by a sky high price tag. The fact that it’s dishwasher safe is a plus too!
Made of 100% melamine, this durable set for four includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls.The bamboo border is endlessly versatile, making this set usable for casual meals or paired with glitzier chargers or linens for a special occasion.
One of our tried and true secrets: it’s the details that make the design. A pop of green piping elevates the simplicity of these white scalloped napkins and will make any table setting feel special whether for the holidays or everyday.
Bringing a bottle of wine to a gathering is always appreciated, but pairing one with this Yeti wine chiller is a gamechanger. With a double wall vacuum insulation to keep bottles at that just-right temperature and a bunch of vivid color options, this wine cooler is perfect for parties and picnics.
Oysters are a decadent delicacy; serving them on these ceramic oyster shells takes entertaining up a notch (and makes for a less messy presentation). The set of 12 shells can withstand heat from the oven or grill and are dishwasher-safe, while the simple design is both functional and classic.