Special Gifts for Hosts and Hostesses That Will Get You Invited Back

Planning even small get-togethers is no small feat amid the backdrop of an ongoing pandemic. Thank your hosts for the time and effort they’ve put into having you over (even if it's a socially distanced backyard gathering) by bringing an equally thoughtful gift. But by thoughtful, we don't necessarily mean expensive — the options on this list start as low as $2.

For more inspo on how to shop for the many types of people in your life, check out more of Cheapism's 2022 Holiday Gift Guides.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

$8 from Amazon
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This pocket-sized device tops standard bottle openers with an additional function: it can recap bottles as well. For the person who hates throwing out unfinished drinks, wants to prevent on-the-go spills, or doesn’t want to get caught with an open container, it’s a supremely functional (and budget-friendly) gift.

Related: Raise a Glass to These Gifts for Beer Lovers

$24 from Amazon

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Match strikers make a unique and stylish gift while also being functional, which is always an apt equation for a great gift. This striker is handmade in North Carolina and comes ready to present in a natural ivory muslin pouch or a festive handprinted Christmas pouch. 

Related: Gifts That Are Made in America

$4 from Ikea
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At $4 a piece, you can present your host or hostess with a number of these drop-adorned glass bottles. The airtight seal keeps beverages fresh, fizzy, or leak-free, as warranted.

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$8 from World Market

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Get that vibrant host with the sparkling personality something that's as colorful as he or she is with this set. Made of silicone, it includes one bottle stopper and six markers. 

$27 from Amazon

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This bundle of sustainable household products includes an all-purpose cleaner, wool dryer balls, silicone food savers, and compostable-yet-stylish Swedish dishcloths. 

$12 from Amazon
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This “dinner diary” is a place for frequent entertainers to record the guests in attendance, dishes served, and music played at events they’ve hosted, making it easy to recreate their most successful soirées — or simply relive them.

Related: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers

Various prices from The Sill

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Plants add vibrancy to a space while also helping remove impurities from the air, something that any host or hostess is sure to appreciate. The Sill has a number of live plants available in simple yet gorgeous pots. For something that's virtually impossible to kill, we recommend a pothos or ZZ plant.

$11 from Amazon

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You can never go wrong with something they can use to wind down after the party is over. This set of 48 teas encompasses eight different varieties: English breakfast, Earl Grey, decaffeinated breakfast, lemon & orange, pure assam, green tea with jasmine, organic peppermint, and organic chamomile. Reviewers, who give this set an average of 4.7 stars, say it offers "high quality tea for a good price."

$39 and up from The Bouqs Co.
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If they frequently have people over, they could undoubtedly use an arrangement of gorgeous fresh flowers. That's where you come in. Choose from The Bouqs' "Just Because" lineup of flower arrangments.

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$75 from Amazon
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With ice tongs, a double-lever corkscrew, double-sided jigger, and rust-proof shaker, this comprehensive set covers a range of mixology duties. Even better, it's neatly and stylishly displayed in a bamboo base. Looking for a nice bottle to pair with the gift? Check out 20 Best Whiskeys Under $50.

Related: Boozy Gifts That Don Draper Would Endorse

$14 from Amazon

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Functional and funny, this flour sack cotton tea towel makes a great gift for the host or hostess who is always serving killer cocktails. 

$40 and up from Amazon
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Though fresh flowers are lovely, caring for them can be a chore. This smart vase makes bouquet upkeep easier with a twist-off base that enables water to be drained and stems to be trimmed while the floral arrangement remains in place.

Related: The Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Green Thumbs

$30 from Uncommon Goods

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It's been a long year or two. Here's to 2022 being better for one and all — a sentiment your favorite host is sure to appreciate. This soy wax candle releases a relaxing aroma of cypress, bayberry, and patchouli, and is decorated with black obsidian, pyrite, citrine, and tiger’s eye for extra good vibes.

Price varies from Martha Stewart Wine Co.
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This Martha Stewart Wine Co. shop lets you gift your host or hostess with a bottle or two from the ultimate hostess herself. 

Related: 20 Affordable Wine Clubs That Will Satisfy Even the Snobs

$26 from Hudson Grace
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It’s a safe bet that other guests will bring candles for the hostess. Do her one better with this matte black duo: a trimmer so she can cut wicks to a quarter inch (this helps candles burn cleaner and longer), and a snuffer so she can put out flames with minimal smoke.

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$78 from Hudson Grace
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A few good tunes can help time in the kitchen go by more quickly. This ceramic speaker looks like a decorative piece, but can be used to blast music once a smartphone is dropped into the top slot.

Related: Cool and Creative Gifts for Music Lovers

$180 from Uncommon Goods
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Who dreams of adding a smoking cloche to their kitchen cabinet? The person who loves to whip up a fancy cocktail or dish for their friends, of course. With this fancy kitchen-and-bar accessory, your favorite host or hostess can do everything from add complex notes to a Bloody Mary to smoke-cure some gouda for their cheese board.

Related: Show Some Brotherly Love with These Great Gifts for Brothers

$46 and up from Etsy
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This take on the statement candle prioritizes color over form with neon and neutral stripes arranged in eye-catching combinations. Bonus: There’s no beeswax here, so this set of four fair trade candles will be welcome in vegan homes.

$205 from Amazon
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No matter where an event is taking place, hosts can achieve immersive, uniform sound with this 360-degree speaker. It's water-resistant and has a rechargeable, lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 12 hours, so they can keep the party going. It also has Bluetooth compatibility and can be linked with other SoundLink speakers for multi-room listening.

Related: Awesome Gift Ideas Under $250

$45 from Moon & Jai
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If your hosts are New Agey types, they’ll want to clear their space of external energy after having people over. Moon & Jai’s High-Vibe Home Kit promises to do just that through a cleansing ritual that’s carried out with the provided crystals, stones, incense, and Palo Santo.

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$42 from MoMa Design Store
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This six-item set inserts some fun into the stuffy art of napkin folding. Each of the washable cotton napkins comes in a different color and can be made into a unique design by following the built-in instructions.

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$35 from Wayfair
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With an angled knife slot and elevated surface, this wooden bread box provides a place to safely slice up baguettes and other long loaves. A properly placed napkin beneath the box will keep crumbs in check.

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$30 and up from MoMa Design Store
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Entertainers who’ve tired of cheese boards can mix it up with the Partyclette — which, as the name implies, is a shindig-friendly take on the Swiss raclette tradition. This enamel pan melts cheese in just 40 seconds. Unlike electric raclette grills, it’s powered by tealight candles, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings.

$14 from Things Remembered
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If you're obligated to bring something for a self-aggrandizing host, these 1-inch ice cubes might be the perfect gift. Not only do they keep drinks chilled and undiluted by melting ice, but they can be customized with the host's initials so that no one forgets whose booze they’re sipping.

Related: The Best Heartfelt and Hilarious Personalized Gifts for Everyone on Your List

$30 and up from CB2
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Candy, pretzels, nuts — even plain treats look elegant when they’re set out in these lidded bowls made from smoky hand-blown glass.

Related: Gifts Under $25 for Grandma and Grandpa

$45 from The Adventure Challenge

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Chances are that if your hosts are types who like to entertain, they're also open to all kinds of adventures, in general. These books contain 50 scratch-off suggestions for fun bonding activities with spouses, partners, family, and friends. Each "surprise" adventure comes with an estimated time commitment and cost, usually $20 or less. And each entry includes a place to include a photo and notes, so books become cherished keepsakes even after the challenges are long-completed. There's also a version for solo adventures, a "naughty" edition, and bundles that include an instant camera.

Related: Gifts for Couples That'll Make Them Both Happy