Unique Hostess Gifts That Aren’t Another Bottle of Wine
We love a bottle of wine as much as anyone, but sometimes you want to show up with something a little more unexpected.
Whether you’re heading to a dinner party, celebrating a friend’s new house or just want to bring something nice to the person who is always hosting, we rounded up 15 gifts she’ll actually be excited to receive. Think cocktail upgrades, pretty little luxuries and things she’ll want to keep around long after the last guest leaves.
1. Jacobsen Salt Co. Infused Black Garlic Salt — $13
For the friend who loves making dinner feel a little more special.
Jacobsen’s black garlic salt is a small gift that feels surprisingly special. Made with fermented garlic and sea salt, it adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor to everything from roasted veggies to popcorn. It’s the kind of thing she’ll reach for constantly once she starts using it.
2. Viski Belmont Cocktail Picks — $15
For the friend who takes her garnish game seriously.
These sleek stainless steel cocktail picks are a tiny upgrade that makes a home bar feel a little more polished. They’re perfect for martini olives, Manhattan cherries or whatever else she likes to skewer into her drink.
3. Martini Candle Co. Espresso Martini Candle — $30
For the friend whose idea of a nightcap is an espresso martini.
This hand-poured candle looks like everyone's favorite caffeinated cocktail and smells like espresso, caramel and oat milk. It’s playful without feeling like a gag gift, making it a fun hostess present for the friend who always orders “just one more.”
4. Fishwife Albacore Tuna 3-Pack — $32
For the friend who loves a good snack board.
Tinned fish has officially graduated from pantry staple to hostess gift. Fishwife’s three-pack of albacore tuna is beautifully packaged and easy to throw onto a snack board with crackers, cheese and a few olives. Basically, it’s an excuse to make happy hour out of whatever’s already in the pantry.
5. Fabbri Amarena Cherries — $34.95
For the person who believes the garnish is half the cocktail.
These Italian Amarena cherries can instantly make a homemade Old Fashioned or Manhattan feel more impressive. And honestly, the classic blue-and-white jar is pretty enough to leave sitting on the bar cart.
6. Anthropologie Scalloped Green Marble Serving Board — $38
For the friend who always has something to put on a cheese board.
This green marble serving board is one of those gifts that looks way more expensive than it is. The scalloped edge gives it a little personality, while the natural marble makes every piece slightly different. Use it for cheese and charcuterie, appetizers, or even just leave it out on the counter because it’s pretty enough to double as kitchen decor.
7. Fête Cocktail Infusion — $40
For the friend who likes playing bartender at home.
Skip the bottle of wine and bring her something she can actually have fun with. Fête’s cocktail infusions turn a favorite spirit into an easy cocktail, with flavors like Figgy Old Fashioned, Raspberry Cosmopolitan and Mocha Espresso Martini. It’s an easy way to make happy hour at home feel a little more special.
8. Brightland Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil — $46
For the friend who appreciates a really good bottle of olive oil.
A beautiful bottle of olive oil is one of those gifts that feels fancy without being fussy. Brightland’s Kalamata is made with early-harvest Kalamata olives, and the bottle is pretty enough to leave sitting on the counter.
9. Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap — $50
For the friend whose kitchen always looks suspiciously perfect.
Flamingo Estate’s heirloom tomato soap comes in a seriously pretty bottle and turns something as ordinary as washing your hands into a tiny luxury. It’s practical, unexpected and definitely more exciting than a standard bottle of hand soap.
10. Goldie Home Linen Lisbon Striped Cocktail Napkins — $56
For the friend whose table always looks effortlessly put together.
These colorful linen cocktail napkins from Goldie Home add a little personality to the bar cart without going overboard. The mix of warm stripes feels collected and playful, but still polished enough for a dinner party. Basically, they’re the kind of hostess gift she’ll actually pull out when friends come over.
11. Anthropologie Peony Aperitif Glasses, Set of 4 — $56
For the friend who believes drinks taste better in a pretty glass.
This set of four floral aperitif glasses adds a little color to the table without feeling too formal. They’re perfect for spritzes, cocktails or whatever she happens to be pouring when you come over. And check out how thin that stem is. Perfection.
12. Maison Balzac Olive Martini Glass — $59
For the friend who likes her cocktails with a side of personality.
Maison Balzac’s Olive Martini Glass has a playful olive-shaped detail that makes it feel like more than just another piece of barware. It’s a fun choice for the friend who appreciates a good martini and a little whimsy.
13. Creative Women Handblown Carafe — $59
For the friend who always has something sitting on the table.
This handblown recycled-glass carafe adds an easy pop of color to a dinner table, kitchen counter or bar cart. The lid even doubles as a small drinking glass, making it as practical as it is pretty.
14. The Collective Artisan Pebbled Cream & Sugar Set — $65
For the friend who treats her morning coffee like a ritual.
This textured cream and sugar set is an easy way to make a coffee station feel a little more special. It’s pretty enough to leave out on the counter and practical enough that she’ll actually use it.
15. Anthropologie Smoky White Marble Butter Keeper — $68
For the friend who somehow makes even butter look fancy.
This white marble butter keeper is one of those little kitchen upgrades you didn’t know you needed until you saw it. It’s practical enough for everyday use but pretty enough to leave sitting on the counter, making it a fun gift for the friend who loves a kitchen that looks as good as it functions.
The next time you’re invited over, skip the predictable bottle of wine and bring something they’ll actually remember.
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