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I Have Expensive Taste. Here Are 23 Host Gifts That Will Actually Impress Without Breaking The Bank.

Wine is nice, but these host gifts are even better.

I Have Expensive Taste. Here Are 23 Host Gifts That Will Actually Impress Without Breaking The Bank.
These are thoughtful host gifts for all your holiday parties this year.
Flamingo Estate, Total Wine, Anthropologie
These are thoughtful host gifts for all your holiday parties this year.

One thing you can be certain of during the holiday season is parties, and you may not want to show up to these festive gatherings empty-handed. We know you likely have enough gifting to stay on top of, so give yourself a much-deserved break and shop the following list of perfect yet thoughtful host gifts that will be sure to wow. (I have expensive taste, so I should know.) It includes fantastic kitchenware, eye-catching decor pieces, self-care items, and more for every type of entertainer who you want to show appreciation for.

1.
Amazon

A mini Le Creuset pot, available in a dazzling array of colors

Le Creuset’s premium enameled stoneware is lauded for its excellent heat distribution, non-scratch finish and classic, good-looking design that anyone would adore adorning their stovetop with. These mini eight-ounce Dutch ovens are perfect for making single servings of pasta, dips, French onion soup, and more. And because they have excellent thermal resistance, these can go directly from stovetop to oven to microwave to fridge. They come in 13 stunning colors to perfectly suit your host’s kitchen.

2.
Total Wine

An always appreciated bottle of French champagne

When all else fails, a bottle of chilled French bubbly is always a welcome way to say thanks, and Veuve Clicquot is a classic choice. It features notes of pear, ginger and light cream, and its bright and balanced flavor profile will please all palates.

3.
Amazon

A Hoshano solid wood magnetic knife block

Have a passionate home chef on your gifting list this year? Made from solid acacia wood, this Hosanho knife block can hold up to 14 different knives at once using a strong internal magnet so their most reached for cutting utensils are all within arms reach. This block not only looks beautiful displayed on countertops, but it’s a breeze to clean too.

4.
Amazon

A serrated knife that won’t make a mushy mess of tomatoes

Back in 2022, HuffPost’s resident food editor and culinary school grad Kristen Aiken recommended the Rada tomato slicer, a serrated knife that’s specifically designed for slicing tomatoes, but can also be used to nearly slice bread, steaks, onions and garlic. This is thanks to the serrated knife’s “sharp teeth that saw through the tomato in a back-and-forth motion without the need to apply any weight on it, leaving the inside of the flesh intact,” according to Aiken, as opposed to a flat blade. This sleek knife, suitable for both right- and left-handed cooks, would be a valued present to anyone who enjoys time spent in the kitchen, or simply likes to make a sandwich or two.

5.
Quince

A set of European linen dinner napkins

These simple, yet elegant napkins are sure to please the host who loves to throw a dinner party. Made by the affordable luxury brand Quince, these standard-sized napkins are made from European flax linen and feature a wide hem detail. They come in sets of four, eight, or 12 and several colors.

6.
Anthropologie

A heavyweight cocktail shaker

This gold-plated cocktail shaker can stock any home bar with functional elegance, as it’s been made to have the ideal balance and heft for shaking martinis and drinks to chilled perfection. It has a built-in ice strainer in the top for easy pouring.

7.
Amazon

A marble salt cellar and Maldon sea salt flakes

If culinary refinement can be found in one thing, it might just be Maldon sea salt flakes, a seasoning that has been experiencing a huge rise in popularity thanks to TikTok. These gourmet flakes are made with traditional artisan methods, using carefully harvested seawater. The result isn’t just a delicious flavor, but a unique crunchy texture that amps up salads, steaks, pastas and more.

And it wouldn’t be a complete gift without the perfect vessel to store the Maldon salt flakes. This lidded salt cellar is crafted from 100% natural marble and comes in several colors, with each piece featuring unique veining.

8.
Anthropologie

A mini electric candle warmer

Rather than hazarding a guess about your host’s favorite home scents, this iron-and-brass electric candle warmer from Anthropologie lets them enjoy the fragrance of their favorite candle while also making it last longer than standard burning. Available in three matte-finish colors, this candle warmer also lets the user adjust the heat level to control the strength of a candle’s scent throw.

9.
Flamingo Estate

Flamingo Estate’s artisan extra virgin olive oil

Flamingo Estate’s extra virgin olive oil is made by a fourth-generation farmer who cultivates a variety of olive trees that aren’t common in the United States, according to the brand. The harvest – from January of this year – is processed quickly to maintain freshness and a high polyphenol (antioxidant) content. If it’s good enough for Martha Stewart, then it’s good enough for your mother-in-law.

10.
Amazon

A long-stem watering can

If your host happens to be a plant lover, they will understand how thoughtfully designed this watering can is, with its narrow and ultra-long spout that can easily reach and water the center of plant beds without the water ricocheting off leaves and making a mess on my floor. The no-splash top is also a godsend, and it has a large enough capacity to hold 32 ounces of water, while also being lightweight enough to lift above my hanging plants, thanks to the durable resin body.



11.
Flamingo Estate

An artisan tomato-scented hand soap in a reusable glass bottle

Flamingo Estate’s luxuriously formulated hand soap isn’t your run-of-the-mill cleanser. Rich in plant, avocado and olive oils, this luscious soap creates a rich lather that leaves skin feeling supple, hydrated, and clean but never stripped. There are a few fragrance options to pick for your host, however, heirloom tomato is a top favorite for its ultra-fresh, green, and delicately peppery scent. The reusable and heavy custom fluted glass bottle steps this hand soap up several notches.

12.
CB2

A Gianfranco Frattini glass wine decanter with the option to personalize

Don’t let your host decant their wine in any old vessel. Instead, gift them this impeccably tasteful decanter crafted by hand in Poland from high-quality crystalline glass. It’s a Gianfranco Frattini design originally used in the fine-dining restaurants of Italy in the 1980s, now updated with this monochromatic burgundy finish. Gift-givers also have the option to monogram this decanter for a personalized touch.

13.
Houseplant

A designer ashtray by Seth Rogen’s home brand

Houseplant is marijuana enthusiast and actor Seth Rogen’s home brand that offers a beautiful array of smoker-friendly items that are far from the stereotypical decor pieces you might think of for pot enjoyers. Like this functional and display-worthy ashtray inspired by Rogen’s own vintage collection. Made from ceramic, this piece features an ample notch to rest joints, a generous well to catch ash and a coaster that can be used as both a coaster or secondary saucer. It comes in three glaze options.

14.
Papier

A hand-designed polka dot backgammon set from Papier

Elevate their next game night with this Papier backgammon set, which comes in a folding wood board that they can also travel with for entertainment on the go. The wooden dice and playing pieces stand out against the blues and browns of the board. This will look as good sitting on their coffee table or shelf as it will in full playing mode.

15.
Shinola

A collectable and hand-crafted Shinola domino set

For more classic game nights and lovers of nice things, consider this very well-appointed domino set. Packaged in an oak box with a sliding lid, this keepsake domino set features hand-poured, ivory resin dominoes that are hand-painted and bear the Shinola signature orange lightning bolt on the underside.

16.
Uncommon Goods

A miniature DIY 3D tableau for their bookshelf

This crafty 3D puzzle creates a miniature nook that can be placed on your recipient’s bookshelf or table once they finish making it. You can choose from a number of different scenes with build times that range from 3.5 hours to seven hours, including a greenhouse, bookshop, and sunset on the Amalfi coast, among others. To really make these shine (pun intended), throw in two AAA batteries (not included) for the mini LED lights.

17.
Amazon

An Amazon boho throw blanket that looks like an Anthropologie find

Multiple reviewers have pointed out the “Anthropologie vibes” of this under-$50 throw blanket, thanks to its colorful bohemian designs (you can choose from a whopping 39 of them). The blanket, which is available in six sizes, is made with 100% cotton and combines its woven patterns with fringed edges for a sophisticated, stylish look. It’s also machine-washable.

18.
Amazon
,
Amazon

Cloudnola reversible flower vase

How great would it be to show up to a holiday party with this eye-catching flower vase already filled with a few blooms ready to display? The modern design allows the top component to be used in two different ways, or the pink base can be used on its own to accommodate larger bouquets. It’s made with hand-blown glass and already comes shipped in gift wrapping.

19.
Amazon

A DedCool incense holder and incense bundle

True to its name, DedCool is a functional fragrance brand that’s incredibly cool in both look and execution. The company has transformed many of its addictive scents into home items that look as good as they smell, like premium incense sticks paired with beautiful glass incense holders to match. Available in three candy-hued colors, these displayable holders can also double as ashtrays or catchalls and each incense stick burns for up to 1 hour. There are three scents to choose from.

20.
Amazon

A hot and cold standalone milk frother by Keurig

Boasting the trusted Keurig name, this standing frother for coffee lovers whips any desired milk of choice, plant-based or otherwise, into creamy milks and toppings. Make either hot or cold froths for cappuccinos, lattes or iced coffees with the touch of a button, and pour directly from the container. It also promises to be easy to clean.

21.
Amazon

A vintage-inspired decorative glass lamp

We love the fact that these glass mushroom lamps, popular in the ‘70s, are enjoying a stylish resurgence. Similar designs can set you back $70, but this marbled amber one is just $35 and would make the ideal gift for any decor-minded folks on your list. It’s cordless, has a timer setting, and a soft, non-flickering LED light.

22.
Uncommon Goods

A pack of four essential oil-infused shower steamers

When your host gets tired from a long day of entertaining, these aromatherapy shower steamers will be sure to lull them back into a state of much-needed relaxation. Available in five calming scents, like eucalyptus and orange-mint, each tablet is infused with essential oil that fizzes at the base of the shower and mingles with the steam to create a true spa-like experience, right in their very own bathroom — no bathtub required.

23.
Amazon
,
Amazon

An Andy Warhol coffee table book featuring his rarely-seen polaroids

Fans of modern and postmodern art will love adorning their bookshelves and coffee tables with this glossy Taschen book containing Andy Warhol’s personal polaroids chronicling his exciting life and even more exciting acquaintances. From the 1950s to his death in 1987, Warhol snapped the likes of Mick Jagger, Alfred Hitchcock, Jack Nicholson, and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as still lifes of his art and inspirations.