Holiday parties are starting soon, so it’s important to have your hostess gifts ready to go. Christmas will be here before you know it! That’s why today I’m sharing Gifts for the Hostess, Friends and Neighbors. These are also great gifts to give to the person who has everything. You also may find ideas to give whoever is hosting Thanksgiving this year. You can click on the items in the image above or links to shop. Be sure and scroll all the way down for even more gift ideas. I am also spotlighting a few charities in case you want to honor someone with a donation. For gift ideas in other categories, shop all of my holiday gift guides HERE.
Gifts for the Hostess, Friend, and Neighbor
The holidays bring so many opportunities to gather from dinner parties, cookie exchanges, neighborhood get-togethers, and even office events. It’s always thoughtful to show up with a small gift. Whether you’re thanking your hostess, celebrating a friend, or spreading a little cheer to a neighbor or co-worker, these ideas are simple, stylish, and guaranteed to be appreciated.
Tomato Garden Vase – What a unique and beautiful gift! They can use this as a vase or utensil holder. Plus it comes in many other vegetables and fruits, like figs, garlic, green snap peas, and more.
Holiday City Dessert Plate – Ok, I just couldn’t resist a Dallas-themed idea. These plates are just too unique and cute. If you’re not from Dallas, don’t worry, there are several other city options.
Holiday City Mug – Just like the plate, but a mug and saucer. This would be a great combo gift.
Olive Oil & Balsamic Set – A beautifully packaged kitchen staple that feels unique because of the flavors. Perfect for the foodie or entertainer.
Printed Wine Bag – A chic and playful way to wrap the usual bottle of wine for gifting. This bottle of wine is one of my favorites to gift. This Christmas-themed liqueur is also a fun idea.
Striped Picture Frame – This picture frame is both decorative and cute. It’s the perfect gift that anyone will use. Plus, it comes in several color and size options.
Holiday Tumbler – This is a fun and festive gift. Fill it with goodies like candy or snacks that they love.
Embroidered Napkins – I absolutely love the scalloped embroidery on these. They come in several colors and make a great hostess gift.
Gold Gilded Stag Cheese Set – Elegant and festive, this cheese serving set is a fun gift for any party.
Olive Trinket Dish – A fun, hand-painted item that will be unexpected and appreciated by many. It comes in so many options, so pick the item that best matches your friend or host!
NEST Hand Soap – This is a gift that everyone will use, love, and appreciate. You can never go wrong with an elevated everyday item.
Glass Match Striker Set – This was one of my best selling gifts last year. I have mine on display at all times because it’s so chic. It comes in just about every match color you could imagine, plus various sized strikers. This glass bottle match set is also super cute.
Other recommendations:
Infused Salt Set – Everyone uses salt, so gifting them something you know they will use and is fun to try is a great idea.
Painted Ceramic Cheeseboard – A beautiful gift idea for all of their future hosting endeavors. You can even gift it with nice cheese and summer sausage.
Gourmet Olive Oil – A nice bottle of olive oil is a must for any home. It can be used as salad dressing, with bread, or gourmet cooking.
Aperol Spritz Kit – For the one who loves Italy and all things orange!
Conversation Starter Cards – This deck was specifically designed for dinner parties and gatherings around the table. It could be fun to get if you are hosting something!
Cowboy Boot Wine Chiller – A gift perfect for a southern holiday! This gift is so cute and a fun way to share a bottle of wine.
Monogrammed Ornament – An ornament is a great gift to give because it’s sentimental and will be used for years!
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These are all gifts I would happily give and love to receive. They’re easy to keep on hand throughout the season so you’re never empty-handed when a last-minute invitation pops up.
Tanya’s Tip: Stock up on a few of your favorites early in the season. Wrap them ahead of time with pretty ribbon or gift tags so you can grab and go when you’re heading to a gathering. I get my wrapping paper and gift tags from Joy Creative Shop and they are offering a 10% discount sitewide with code TANYA10.
Lola Blankets are also a great gift that everyone on your list will love! Use code TANYA35 for 35% OFF site-wide.
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Favorite Things Gift Exchange Ideas
My dear friend Paige Mc. hosts a lovely Christmas Brunch and Favorite Things gift exchange every December. It’s my favorite holiday event to attend. You wrap and bring three identical gifts, draw names and leave with three gifts. No stealing – just exchanging. Minimum spend is $30. When your name is called, you get up and present your “favorite thing” gift to the group as the three people open your gift. I thought might be helpful to see what gifts were purchased and exchanged last year. I always leave this event and order some fun gifts.
Karen Adams Boxed Desk Calendar from Paper Affair
Trish McEvoy Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Body Sponge Duo
Kuby’s chicken salad, jalapeno pimento cheese, horseradish pickles, Firehook crackers, French Home Laguiole spreaders from Kuby’s
Roller Rabbit Makeup Bag, Rosebud Salve Lip Balm, clip-on LED book light
Rebecca Gardner “A Screaming Blast” book
Guitar string necklace from Nashville gift shop (trip), Mi Cocina gift card
Boxed Calendar, Texas themed (Go Texan store, State Fair of Texas)
Tea Forte Tea over Ice Pitcher Set, with tea
Pharmagel Eye Roller Set, KareCo Mini Tangle Buster, Pharmagel Lip Recovery
Rowenta Pure Pop Portable Steamer (great for travel)
St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange holiday plate set, bubbly, 24-month aged parmesan, strawberry honey
Corona Gardening Clippers – gardening and pruning
Ten Thousand Waves Teapot set, Harney & Sons Decaf Cinnamon Tea
Ol’ Fogey Bread Knife, Empire gift card for bread
Christopher Kimball’s Paring Knife, Christmas apron
Chanel Nail Polish, Hollywood Star Nails & Spa gift card
Senor Murphy Candymaker, Pinon Collection (from Santa Fe)
Keychain Siren/Flashlight (not sure this is the exact one but these are cute)
Harrods Tea & Biscuit set, Illume Candle
Tenula Torciano balsamic vinegar
MAC Studio Fix Conceal & Correct Palette
Lit Magenfying Mirror, Champagne stopper, Teaspressa Luxury Sugar Cubes, Silicone Trivet set
Lulucolors 18pc Makeup Brush Set
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo & Drybar gift card
Mackenzie-Childs set of two Holiday dishes, Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Covered Honeycomb candy, and White Chocolate covered pretzels
Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark
Ultrasonic Electric Jewelry Cleaner & cleaner liquid
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If you are invited to a “Favorite Things” or Holiday Gift Exchange, today’s post offers excellent suggestions. You can even gift a party game for everyone to enjoy. A wonderful friend (and longtime follower/subscriber) of mine invites me to her Favorite Things Christmas Brunch each year and each guest has to bring 3 identical gifts of at least $30 value. We then draw numbers. It’s a little hard to explain the method to the madness, but basically you leave with 3 new favorite things after all the exchanging. I’ve discovered so many new products this way. Plus the brunch and friendship we enjoy is wonderful!
Local Spotlight:
I love the idea of giving a gift of honor in someone’s name during the holidays. For example, you can make a donation to the North Texas Food Bank in honor of someone and help feed the hungry this holiday season. Or maybe make a donation to your loved ones favorite charity. A donation to Community Partners of Dallas helps children in need. Just $50 buys shoes for 6 children. You can even adopt a family through The Family Place and brighten up a family’s Christmas. Personally, I make donations to Crystal Charity Ball in honor of members. The possibilities are endless!
You can shop everything below and don’t forget to check my other Holiday Gift Guides for even more ideas for everyone on your list. Don’t forget all the discount codes that currently offer are also listed there.
xoxo- Tanya
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Tags: 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, Christmas, gift guide, Gifts, hostess gifts
We lOve your blog, and can’t tell you how much we appreciate being included among all of your O-mazing gift ideas. xOxO
Great list of gifts! Thank you for taking the time to always give us such good content!
I like to give friends/neighbors a nice candle as a gift
Love your hostess gifts, especially the elephant picture. Such a surprise.
I saw your pics from the charity ball. You looked gorgeous!
You have great gift ideas. I like the Nutella Cookbook for myself.
Great gift ideas!!
Love the gift ideas. I have given many hostess gifts, scented and candles soaps, cute holiday guest towels, newest copy of D Magazine and chocolates, candles, holiday cocktail napkins.
I love all of your gifts. I stocked up on some Frango candies when Macy’s had a big sale. Thanks for all of your ideas.
We usually give them cookies:)
We have a great candy/nut store that’s locally owned and their red box of mixed nuts is always a hit with family & friends.
I love to give live plants with fun planters!
I look forward to your gift guides EVERY YEAR!!! So helpful and always find something for those people who are hard to shop for!! Thank you!!
So many great ideas! We often give wine or some sweet treat! Thanks for sharing!
I love to give Christmas candy!
This is a great gift guide! I’ve given a lot of picture frames in the past but they kind of seem to be going out of style (at least the non-digital ones) so I’ll be poring over your list for new ideas because I saw lots of great ones there!
Love all the gift ideas! Especially the Indoor S’mores Fire Pit. Who knew s’mores could be chic! I love giving chocolates, soaps, and candles from local boutiques. Useable, supports local/small businesses, and are unique to your region.
Thank you for all the ideas this holiday!
Love this post! I especially love to give throw blankets -something so cozy and thoughtful about a wonderful blanket!
Such great gift ideas!
Something handmade to fit their personality. Maybe a mini macrame ornament. A macrame keychain, coasters, macrame earrings.
Oh yay! So glad you included the Johanna’s Christmas coloring book! My mother in laws name is Johanna, and this will make a perfect gift from one of my kiddos!! Thanks so much!!
I like to give handmade chocolates as gifts.
I love the tip about the hostess gift! So good to know.
i think gift cards are great with a cute mug or something small to put with it
I really like giving baked goods to neighbors and friends for christmas. My kids love helping out in the kitchen and they have so much fun decorating and prepackaging all the cookies and other candies that we make. The boxes are gorgeous and everyone always appreciates our gifts
Wonderful ideas and a great give-away, I’d be thrilled to win! You cannot go wrong with a beautiful candle for a neighbor.
I like to give neighbors a bottle of wine or cookies.
We always make a variety of Christmas cookies for our neighbors. And we’ll gift candles and/or wine to our closest ones!
I love giving plants or baked treats!
Thanks for the wonderful ideas! Appreciate your hard work and great taste!
I give wine as gifts for friends and neighbors if they drink, I have also decorated people’s homes as a gift.
You always have the best ideas!
Seriously one of the sweetest, most unique bloggers. Great advice for all ages, classic style with touches of the current trends, uplifting posts and love the Pete content, your hubby is adorable!
Fun new ideas!!
Great hostess gift ideas!
I’ll probably keep them for myself!
One of the best blogs!! Great giveaways as well
Great list – loving the cocktail napkins!
Wow! The coloring book is a great idea. This is my fav so far.
I love to give friends and neighbors cute trays with baked goods.
♥️❤️
wine
Loving this gift guide!! My favorite gifts to give are always something personal for the specific person so they know I put a lot of thought and heart into it. I like to write down what my friends and family mention they want/need all year so I can surprise them during the holidays!
i usually gift my neighbors a homemade treat, plant from my garden or a bouquet
a tray of baked goods
One of my favorite gifts to give to neighbors is a little basket of items for the kitchen. I usually try to pick neutral dishtowels and a quirky gadget.
Cookies! Homemade is best, but I’m an awful baker. 😉
Great gift ideas. I had always given a bottle of wine. Now I have other options.
I have a rum cake I like to make for friends or styrofoam cups with a beverage mix. Love all of the ideas.
I have a rum cake I like to make for friends or styrofoam cups with a beverage mix. Love all of the ideas.
My favorite gift is either candles or cookies, depending on the neighbor/ friend. 🙂
Great gifts. I usually give a plant they can use all year in a cute vase.
Neighbors usually get baked goods on fun plates – but I also love to give a good candle.
I usually give neighbors a candle or some beautifully packaged candy or cookies
So many amazing ideas! Definitely pinning for inspo! I love to make homemade gift baskets for my loved ones and friends. I just personalize each one with the things they love most depending on occasion! It really allows me to spoil that specific person!
I love your blogs!! Great gift giving ideas!!!
Wonderful gift ideas!!! Recently found your blog and I am enjoying it so much. I really enjoy hearing about aesthetic procedures and travel. Thanks so much!
I love giving freshly made cookies or candy.
I usually give my neighbors baked goods…
I would say handknitted pot holders.
Handknitted pot holders.
I appreciate the amazing ideas. Thank you for all your efforts.