My Favorite Hostess Gifts

I love showing up to someone’s home with a great hostess gift - one that’s not only beautiful, but creative and shows her that I know her.

This post isn’t about what to bring when you are a guest at dinner. This is about when you are staying at someone’s home and you need a little extra. Sure, taking them out to dinner is lovely, but what about showing up with something they will remember after you are gone (and will ensure another invite!)

1. Favorite things - this one is tricky as you may not know her favorite things, but I managed this for someone I had never met - you can do it.

2. The Permission to Pause Collection Box. Of course I am going to talk about this because I really think they make amazing hostess gifts and our customers agree!

3. Find their favorite shop and start there.

4. Misc ideas

FAVORITE THINGS BASKET/BOX

When I created this gift, it was a doozy, as I had not formally met the hostess until arriving on her doorstep. And what a doorstep it was - huge home in Cashiers and I was staying there for two nights.

I was consulting on an event in Cashiers, NC, and during the planning, was invited to one of their committee meetings and the patron reception. Turns out I was being hosted in this incredible home by someone I had chatted with over the phone but had never met. So, of course I was going to bring a hostess gift (or bread n' butter gift as my mama used to say), but this particular hostess, whose home had been featured in several designer coffee table books, seemed to warrant more than a bottle of wine.  

I had spoken to her enough that I either knew or could guess some of her interests. So, I decided to ask myself a few questions: 

What does she love to do?

What is her life like?

What are the things she values?

I came up with: Shopping |  Entertaining | Travel | Writing | Family & Friends

I created a card that explained each area and how the item connected to it, and I tied the card onto the basket - so simple! I just made sure the font fit the color scheme of the overall feel. Since I was going to be physically handing it to her and explaining it in person, I didn't feel the need to write a more to-the-point note. 

“Be sure to think about (and perhaps explain) the WHY.”

Most of the interests above  probably resonate with a lot of people, so here are a few other thoughts to make this work.  

Any of these would be just fine on their own and you can still explain the "why."

This is not the easiest gift if you are flying rather than driving. 

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THE PERMISSION TO PAUSE COLLECTION BOXES

Need something done for you that will wow everyone in the room, especially your hostess?

Yes, they are currently $230 (plus $20 with wrapping), but they certainly WOW. The reason I like this as a hostess gift is

1. Eight-ten curated items that you rarely see in other boxes or even in gift shops (no Two’s Company here!) - all of them have a special factor - it could be their story, their design, a signature, a reason for being in this particular collection.

2. The stories of all of the makers, as well as ideas of how to creatively use each item and, if you must, beautiful ways to gift it.

3. There is an understated focus on entertaining - some boxes more than others.

4. A packet called Moments for Myself - six quote cards, journal and life prompts, a notebook, and sometimes a planner, a guide, a book. Once you leave, she can use this!

One of the tag lines we often use is, Moments of Calm, Wrapped in Luxury.

Spring 2025 Permission to Pause Collection

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HER FAVORITE SHOP

So this probably works best in smaller towns, where people know each other. I was visiting family in Florence, SC, and on my way out of town I popped into a shop called The Pharmacy. If you are there - go visit - everything from an old-school china registry, to the latest in gifts - it was amazing and beyond-gorgeous. (and yes, you can fill a presciption, too!).

Anyway, I was looking around and started chatting with a couple of the women working and explained I was from out of town, etc. etc. I mentioned something that was sort of personal to our family and that I lived in Beaufort, but was visting my aunt, and the ladies said, “ Oh, is Ashley Johnson your aunt?” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Yes, they knew this.

So, my point is, they also know everything she buys and what she loves. Some gift shops now even have a quiet registry (I just made up that term, but the concept is real) that is like a bridal registry, but for regular people - it’s a list of what you would love for people to buy for you.

If you know her favorite store, try giving them a call and asking if they know of something she would love - I bet they would even wrap it for you and you can pick it up on your way into town.

The Pharmacy Gifts, Florence, SC

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Here are a few other hostess gifts that I have given and think are fun.

• A subscription to a magazine you know she will love- be sure to bring a copy of the current issue!

• Is she starting any new projects? Yoga? A new business? A blog? Baking? All sorts of tutorials and inspiration can be found on-line and on Pinterest, but what about a real book that speaks to what he or she is stepping into?

• By all means, bring the wine (especially if you come to my house!), but wrap it in a gorgeous tea towel with a beautiful ribbon and tuck a sprig of something - mint, rosemary, etc. Or, include something like a beautiful corkscrew tucked into the ribbon.

  Finally, just think about what matters to your host - of course, probably what matters the most is YOU.

Are you pressed for time and have to get on the road and just can’t do it?

Make it intentional - during the weekend, look around and notice what might make your host happy, or would fit perfectly on that shelf in the dining room, or would make her life easier. Then, simply send it after the visit with a note (handwritten, of course!)

Do you have other ideas? Please send them my way!