Thoughtful Gifts for Hosts

One of my favorite things to do is host. Another is to gift hosts, and it doesn’t require an expensive bottle of wine (although sometimes that suits).

Here are a few host gifts under $25 (price indicated if >). When presented thoughtfully, they go a long way.

• Local honey or produce from your farmer’s market

• Maldon in an olive-wood salt cellar

• Boerne Brand’s Original Jalapeño

• A sourdough loaf

• A custom Tony’s Chocolonely bar

• Fine & Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Spread

• Mixed olives + fancy toothpicks

• Flamingo Estate’s Roma Heirloom Tomato Surface Cleaner - $26

• Anything from Westward Orchard

  • Westward Orchard’s Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup - $30

  • Westward Orchard’s Smoky Tomato Jam

• Maraschino cherries

• Yuzu marmalade

• Vintage napkin rings (like these from Etsy)

• High-quality olive oil or vinegar

• For summertime dinner parties with mosquitoes

  • Public Goods Insect Repellent - trust me on this one

  • Incense

• Tamari from Dark Horse Organics

• Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce - I use in crudo dishes or as a marinade

• Beeswax tapers

• Olive wood spoons

• Box of fancy pasta like Setaro

• Your favorite coffee beans

• Homemade frozen cookie dough