The holidays are synonymous with entertaining and attending parties, gift exchanges, cookie decorating, and more! I have split this guide into two sections, one with great items for hosting with holiday table decor, party games, and other useful items, and the other section is filled with great hostess gifts.
Holiday Entertaining
LaGuiole Cheese Knives
Beautiful and functional, a great set of cheese knives will be used time and time again.
Taper Candlers in Every Shade
Whatever direction you are taking your holiday table (or if you want to bookmark these for a later event), nearly every color you’d need (32 to be exact!) can be found here.
Holiday Party Animal Cocktail Napkins
The Rudolph Zebra? My heart! These are so much fun and made my South-Africa-Loving-Heart soar. Available here.
Conversation Cards
Perfect for the family-centered holiday table to share viewpoints from all generations. Available here.
Green Glass Votives
An easy Amazon find for the holiday table! Comes in a set of 12. Available here.
Playful Placecards by Houses & Parties
These place cards add a touch of fun and whimsy to any dinner table. Choose between “Most Likely To…” where you can playfully fill in the blanks as a group (or you could pre-fill them and have guests guess which seat is theirs!) or “This or That‘ wherein you could go around the table deciding which of the options on your place card you’d be or choose, i.e. “Bake or Buy” and “Sweet or Savory.”
Holiday Tree Bowl
This Christmas tree-shaped small bowl is perfect for filling with holiday candies on the coffee table!
Acrylic Jenga Tower
A decidedly chic upgrade to the traditional wooden blocks. This acrylic Jenga tower makes a great icebreaker.
Gold Glass Candleholders
Another great candle holder option for the holiday table from Amazon, perfect for taper candles.
Icon Party Masks
If you know me, you know I will be calling *dibs* on Audrey, *wink! These Icon Party Masks make for lots of fun. Alternatively, you could opt for the Royal Court Masks featuring the portraits of Queen Victoria, King Henry VIII, and Anne Boleyn.
Garden Soiree Serving Bowl
The green border on this serving bowl is equally at home during the holidays as it is in Spring and Summer, for year-round use. Available here.
Crystal Pitcher
You’d never know this pitcher was an Amazon find! Perfect for pre-batching your signature holiday cocktails.
Hostess Gift Guide
Noble Fir Candle
It is hard to go wrong with a holiday-scented candle!
Mini Match Cloche
Pair this miniature match cloche with a scented candle to really up your hostess gift game!
Peppermint Bark
A holiday classic and Williams Sonoma’s tin is so festive. Add a ribbon and you’re ready to go! Available here.
Holiday Hot Cocoa Pair
Williams Sonoma’s Hot Cocoa Mix and Snowflake Marshmallows are sold separately but I think they make a better gift when paired together!
Mulling Spices
Seasonally perfect! Pair with a lovely bottle of red wine for the perfect holiday hostess gift. I’m partial to these as they come in sachets rather than the loose spices which require additional straining or equipment.
Chic British Tea
Who could resist the perfectly named Queen’s Guard blend?
Go-to Dinners by Ina Garten
Ina’s latest cookbook is a great gift for amateur and advanced home chefs alike!
Wooden Pepper Mill
A beautiful wooden pepper mill is made even better by including a jar of peppercorns!
Acid League’s Specialty Vinegar Set
Featuring living vinegars in flavors: Meyer Lemon Honey, Apple Cider Maple, Strawberry Rosé, and Cabernet Port, this set is a very fun hostess gift for your culinarily-inclined friends!
A Classic Box of Chocolates
See’s Candy is a classic. Our favorites are Soft Centers or Nuts & Chews. A pound is usually plenty unless you know the person you are gifting to has a major sweet tooth!
Nama Chocolate Squares
If you would like to give chocolate but seek something a little more unique and unusual, these Japanese chocolates fit the bill. Wildly soft and said to be a popular gift in the entertainment industry, these are sure to pique your recipient’s interest. They are sort of a cross between fudge and a chocolate truffle, with a very light (but not airy!) texture. They are difficult to describe but very special! Available here.
Ikat Wine Bags
A must for prettying up a nice bottle of wine and making it extra special! Comes in a pack of 6 so you are sure to be prepared for any planned or last-minute invitations! Available here.
Local Macarons
Lastly, I feel you truly cannot go wrong by gifting a box of macarons from your local bakery. Just make sure your recipient is not allergic to nuts as almond flour is key to macaron-making.
