Do you ever go somewhere and realize you need some Thank you for hosting us gift ideas? Well, I put the call out to our Facebook page and together we have brainstormed 25 Thank you for hosting us gift ideas.
Why bring a hostess gift?
A hostess gift is plain etiquette in my books. Whether you are invited for lunch, dinner, a vacation at somebody’s home or cottage…a host/hostess gift is required. It’s a memorable way to say “thank you” or “we appreciate your work”.
When we’re invited to someone’s home for dinner — we usually bring a bottle of wine and a dessert (or appetizer). And yes, we tell the host what we are bringing so they can plan their menu and workload.
And then there are those out-of-town gifts…
When we visit family abroad, I always pack a gifts. They put us up in their homes, show us around their city, pay for restaurants (we try to pay…but they turn us down)…a little hostess gift is a kind way to show your appreciation.
25 thank you for hosting us gift ideas
- Cookie mix in a mason jar
- Flowers
- Maple syrup
- Coffee table book
- Box of cookies (easy cookie recipe here)
- Cookie cutters
- Mason jar with lotion/soap/cloth (Check out my Mason Jar Pinterest board for more mason jar ideas)
- Sports themed clothing
- Craft beer
- Ketchup chips (if you are going to the United States – they can’t get them there)
- Candles (either real or flame-less)
- Cake
- Coffee
- Tea
- Chocolate
- Mason jar with cut flowers (so hostess doesn’t have to find a vase)
- Cake plate (take a cake on the cake plate – then tell them the plate is a gift to the house)
- House plant
- Homemade jam/jelly
- Loaf of cake or bread wrapped in a (clean and new) dish towel
- Fancy salt
- Cheese board and knives
- Candy dish
- Kitchen towels
- Bottle of wine
If you are travelling…
You might not want to pack the homemade gifts. And obviously, you can’t take plants across borders. :-O But you can certainly pack most everything else on this list (BONUS: they really don’t take up much room). Note on packing bottles of wine and beer — each adult is limited as to how much alcohol they can bring over a border — check your restrictions before you pack. Also, rolling wine bottles and beer bottles and packing them in the middle of your suitcase will help prevent them from being knocked about.
Family gifts and gifts for kids
Sometimes, there are just too many people to bring something for everyone. In that case, I recommend the one-gift-for-all approach. Boxes of chocolates or candies work well. I, once, brought several bags of chocolates on a trip to France (I know…crazy right?!…who brings chocolate to France?!!!!). When extended family came over (and I couldn’t give something to everyone) I put the bags of chocolates out in a bowl and said “afternoon snack on us”. Everyone was curious to try something from Canada and it was a way we could pay a token of appreciation to everyone in one go.
I love to put together a host gift. I try to always have a few things on hand for unexpected outings. I am always looking for new ideas. I will have to add some jars of cookie mix to my stash. I like to personalize my gift as much as I can.
These are wonderful ideas. I never go to any event empty handed. My mom always said bringing a hostess gift is important, and I always do.
A gift for a host is very important to show gratitude for putting together a party. Any of these ideas are excellent. I personally wouldn’t buy flowers, but rather buy or make a personalized gift.
These are some really thoughtful and inexpensive gift ideas for hostesses. I would appreciate any of the items above.
These are some great gift ideas. I love how simple these gifts are for a hostess gift.
So many great gift ideas! I am always at a loss when it comes to gifting.
Beautiful ideas! Love them all. Added a couple to my mental notes.
These are some excellent ideas to give as a gift to a host. I haven’t really ever been in a position where this would make sense, but so thankful you shared ideas for any time I’m there in the future.
This is a great list of gift ideas. I always struggle with what to give.
These are all fantastic and clever ideas. Plants would be ideal to many people that I know. I am so keen to try these.
I agree that you should always bring something when you are invited to someone’s home. I love these options
These are great hostess gift ideas. When I’m traveling somewhere far off, I always try to bring gifts that are local to where I live that they wouldn’t be able to get where they are. When I’m going somewhere close by, I tend to go with small gift baskets or flowers.
Thanks for your suggestions for hostess gifts. They all sound great. I will pick something from your list the next time my cousin’s wife invites us over.