Show your thanks with these thoughtful buys, from a luxe hand soap and lotion duo to a mini cupcake sampler. (Amanda Garrity/Yahoo; Getty)(Amanda Garrity/Yahoo; Getty)
With summer just around the corner, chances are you'll be headed to backyard cookouts, graduation parties and pool parties galore. And as etiquette expert Myka Meier from Beaumont Etiquette tells Yahoo, it's your job to thank the host. "Remember to never arrive empty-handed! It's thoughtful to bring a hostess gift whenever you're invited to someone's home for a party, dinner or overnight stay, as it shows appreciation for their hospitality," she says.
While a nice bottle of wine or fresh flowers are super easy to grab at the last minute on the way to the party, she says they're actually a little too easy and predictable. "My favorite go-to host gift is one of my homemade loaves of bread — either pumpkin or lemon, depending on the season. I also love bringing a gift for a pet if someone has one, such as a chew toy or bone with a bow around it," Meier tells Yahoo.
Need even more pointers? We’ve got you covered with a list of the best hostess gifts you can give, all of which are under $75. There are cute and cozy decor pieces, fun games to play during the event itself, and useful finds that the host will bust out at their next gathering. If you want even more options, check out our favorite gift baskets to send and some standout Amazon finds for under $50.
Update, April 25, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability and moved a few of our readers' favorites to the top of the list.
This neutral blanket is the ideal addition to any living room or bedroom no matter the decor. Also available in blue and ivory shades, this ridiculously plush throw measures 50" x 70" making it just big enough for two people to curl up under. Hello, holiday movie marathon!
This flameless lighter is rechargeable, so they won't have to replace it when it runs out of juice. Go the extra mile and pair it with a candle.
Ideal for picnics, campouts and beach days, this Stanley 64-ounce stainless-steel pitcher can keep drinks cold for up to eight hours and iced for over 24 hours. It comes in several colors, including rose quartz and charcoal.
Note: This gift may arrive after Christmas.
Give the host(ess) something that can be put to use right away. Candles are your best bet — and this one from Voluspa, which has notes of rose, cucumber and jasmine, boasts a 100-hour burn time. Hint: it's also perfect for pairing with an electric lighter so no one has to search for matches.
Help your host relax once the guests leave with a cup of hot tea. This gift box includes 20 individually wrapped tea bags in flavors like white ginger pear and chamomile citron.
You can't go wrong with a classic hand soap and lotion combo. This skin-softening duo comes in a chic ceramic caddy, which they can use long after they use what's in the bottles.
This is arguably the sweetest hostess gift you can give. Inside, they'll find eight mini versions of Bonne Maman's most popular preserves, jellies and marmalades. They're made with simple ingredients — no high-fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, no added color, just fresh and fruity goodness.
If you're set on bringing flowers, take Meier's advice and gift them in a pretty vase. This ribbed glass beauty can be used all year round and looks way more expensive than it is.
Do your hosts love a game night? Then introduce them to Phase 10, a fast-paced, Rummy-type card game for ages 7 and up, and ask them to play it at your next gathering.
Instead of showing up with just a bottle of wine, bring this marble wine chiller to keep whatever they're serving — or your gifted bottle — at the perfect temperature.
No one would pass up a pack of pretty glasses. These beauties (available in seven hues) are stackable and made from chip-resistant, restaurant-grade glass. Pick between 12 oz and 16 oz options.
Everyone could use fresh tea towels, and the price of this four-piece set is hard to beat. Gift them as-is or wrap your favorite one around a loaf of homemade bread.
Who says baked goods have to be homemade? Magnolia Bakery offers nationwide shipping on tons of sweet treats — including this assortment of 24 mini cupcakes.
At-home chefs will adore this set of four oils and vinegars from Brightland. This bundle includes two cold-press, extra-virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegar and champagne vinegar in cute containers that will look great in any kitchen.
Hot honey is such a fun and unexpected condiment, especially on pizza, fried chicken and other savory bites. This duo really brings the heat — it includes the original and extra-hot versions, perfect for drizzling on garlic bread, fried chicken, roasted veggies or even ice cream.
This honey pot and dipper from Le Creuset is, dare we say, sweeter than honey. This adorable duo would bee a welcome addition to anyone's kitchen counter.
Note: This gift may arrive after Christmas.
Your host will feel grateful for you the morning after the gathering when brewing up a pot of Starbucks coffee. Your host will stay caffeinated for the weeks to follow since this pack comes with three 12-oz. bags of medium-roast coffee.
This glass match cloche is as pretty as it is functional — it holds up to 120 matches and has a striker on the side. Shop it in five colors.
This keychain is another gift that looks pricey but comes in at less than $40. It has a USB-to-lightning charging cable, which means that they always have a way to charge their compatible devices (like their iPhone or iPad) or power banks. Customize it with their initials for an additional $15.
Take a cue from Meier and give them a fresh loaf of bread. Wrap it up in this blanket, which has removable flax seed-filled packs that you heat up in the microwave to keep the bread warm once it's out of the oven.
Note: This gift will arrive after Christmas.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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