The Gift Guide

The Luxury Gift Guide: The Best for Host and Hostess

What makes a good host or hostess gift?

Many of us are venturing out in the coming weeks to visit dear friends and family members. And in many cases, we’re crashing at their homes. Which is all cool and good, as long as we arrive with a lovely and thoughtful gift in hand. To help ensure that we all get invited back, our correspondent Jullian Tangen has a curated list: our ultimate luxury gift guide of the best host and hostess gifts out there right now.

It is not a good idea to show up empty-handed

With the Great Lockdown beginning to ease, you may be among those who have decided to open up your quarantine pod a little. And hitting the road to visit a family member or friend’s home for a blissful and much-needed getaway. 

luxury host hostess gifts

What makes a good luxury host or hostess gift? Our ultimate guide to luxury host and hostess gifts.

You’ve packed your newest swimsuit, a mask for when you are out in public and the perfect summer reads. You may think you are all set, but you have one last task to complete before you roll: you need to buy a gift for your host or hostess.

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In any other year we would say that you are allowed to punt and buy a bottle of excellent wine, champagne or whisky, or even a couple of fresh-baked pies.  But in these uncertain times when someone opens up their home and potentially their personal health and safety to you and yours, we think it best to bring a truly chic and thoughtful gift to show just how much you appreciate their friendship and hospitality.

Our ultimate guide to the best luxury host and hostess gifts right now.

what makes for the perfect host or hostess gift?

We think that the perfect host or hostess gift has five simple elements:

  • Reflects the season and the location of the home you’re visiting
  • Has some practical or functional purpose that makes it actually useful to have around the house
  • Optimistic and happy
  • Chic, but not so strong a design aesthetic that it will be stuffed into the back of the closet and re-gifted at the holidays – or sent straight to a luxury consignment resale site
  • If you can swing it, the cost should reflect approximately what you’d be spending for one night in a hotel in the location where you’re staying 

The ultimate guide to the best luxury host and hostess gifts right now.

the ultimate luxury gift guide: the best host and hostess gifts right now

We love the idea of giving a plant or a lovely bouquet of flowers. Just be sure your gift recipient is a good plant parent and ready for a new addition. Otherwise, we’ve got some ideas for items that have a bit more staying power.

From an instant camera to capture every moment together to a cozy throw perfect for all-night chats, to makeup for three months of social distancing, we’ve found 20 elegant gifts to bestow on your summer host or hostess. 

Now all that’s left for you to do is revel in your coveted time together.

1. a fun pool float  

Everyone with an Instagram account has seen Funboy pool floats, whether it be the rainbow unicorn, a classic swan or a regal Rose Gold Crown Island. They make peak social media fodder for a reason – and honestly, what’s a pool party without an inflatable or two gliding around?

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $199.

2. an over-sized serving tray

For a host who really loves to entertain, for luxury host or hostess gifts sure to please, splurge on one of Mally Skok’s divinely over-sized Dowel Keyhole Trays.  It’s large enough to hold a slew of drinks or appetizers. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors to match almost anyone’s style.

luxury host hostess gifts

 

BUY NOW $300.

3. a beach paddle set

Perfect luxury host or hostess gifts for anyone with a beach-side abode, the artisan crafted Fresco Bolcarioca Leblon Beach Bat Set will offer plenty of fun in the sun, not to mention take pressure off your host to entertain.

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $310.

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4. gourmet ice cream  

Send three pints of the creamiest, dreamiest ice creams right to their doorstep every month for an entire year with McConnell’s Ice Cream of the Month Club.

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $528.

5. handcrafted soaps

Guest soaps are nearly fool-proof as luxury host or hostess gifts. This Claus Porto Deco Gift Box of beautifully wrapped bars will delight even the pickiest host.

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $75.

6. elegant home fragrance

Like all great luxury host or hostess gifts, Cire Trudon’s Josephine Room Spray looks as good as it smells, featuring notes of  bergamot, sandalwood, jasmine and white musk.

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $215.

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7. an equestrian-inspired board game

Hermes’s La Collection Emile Hermes memory game with silver edging is almost too beautiful to play with but would fit in nicely in a country manor.

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $225.

8. a chic picnic set

They will have everything they need for a garden party with this Picnic Time Charleston Picnic Basket.

What is a good gift

BUY NOW $550.

9. a beautiful vase

Fill up a stunning vase such as this Rose & Fitzgerald Marbled Soapstone Rounded Short Vase with a handmade bouquet.

What is a good gift

BUY NOW $120.

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10. an instant camera

Capture every joyful moment of your stay together with a Polaroid Everything Box that comes complete with an instant camera and special film to capture the blue hues of summer.

What is a good gift

BUY NOW $120.

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11. a sleek beach bag

Packing a bag for the beach will be a breeze with a beautiful Hermes Carre Taquin bucket bag.

What is a good gift

BUY NOW $1,775.

12. a home spa set

Anyone who has hosted guests knows that it can be tiring, no matter how much you enjoy having their company.  This gorgeous UMA Pure Calm Wellness Set will help to melt away stress and renew their body, mind and spirit.

What is a good gift

BUY NOW $165.

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13. an appetizer set

This Fornasetti Astronomici appetizer set has three luxe little bowls that will elevate any snack to a feast.

luxury host hostess gifts

BUY NOW $282.

14. a glam backgammon set

Make game night more chic with Jonathan Adler’s Op Art Backgammon Set.

what is a gift

BUY NOW $395.

15. a beautiful candle

If you ask us, a scented candle is always a good idea as a gift. Versace’s Medusa Gala Scented Candle not only smells beautiful, but will look beautiful wherever they decide to place it.

what is a gift

BUY NOW $325.

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16. an aromatic hand soap and lotion set

Anyone who has washed their hands with Aesop’s distinctive and hand softening soaps, knows that receiving an Aesop Resurrection Duet is a wonderful treat.

BUY NOW $125.

17. a cozy cashmere throw

Who can say no to a cashmere throw?  Whether outside by the fire pit or curled up by the fire, your host is sure to use this super cozy Brooklinen Throw ($249) every season.

BUY NOW ($249)

18. champagne bucket

Set the tone for a celebration of being together with this sculptural Michael Aram Gold Orchid Champagne Bucket.  Bonus points for filling it up with their favorite bubbly!

BUY NOW $285.

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19. firewood tote

This Goop x CB2 Firewood Tote will not only keep their firewood looking organized, but it will help them easily transport it inside too.

BUY NOW $499.

20. luxe playing cards

They won’t mind staying up late for another round of cards with luxury host or hostess gifts like  these sleek Louis Vuitton Playing Cards and Pouch Arsene.

BUY NOW $525.

the ultimate luxury gift guide: the best host and hostess gifts

Last but not least, make sure you include a thoughtful note to accompany your luxury host or hostess gifts this season.  We can all agree these small, yet personal gestures mean the world more than ever.  Enjoy!

join our community

For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter hereAnd see luxury in a new light.

Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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