Gifts to bring the host- that aren't just a bottle of wine
over 50 ideas for vintage and secondhand surprises, circular and regenerative products, and small brands to support to gift the hostess with the mostess
You will likely go to a gathering this holiday season, and ask yourself the age-old question, “What to bring the host?” In previous parties past, it might have just been a bottle of wine and I’m not saying that’s the wrong answer, I did celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day last week, but I think we can be more creative and more circular. These concepts don’t have to be just host gifts, would also work great for your work white elephant, book club gift exchange, you get the idea- so bookmark this, these ideas can be used year-round!
Variations of all of these items can be found in thrift stores, curated vintage shops, local charity stores, eBay, etsy, I also sourced online options here. Gifting should be thoughtful and meaningful to the person you are gifting and that doesn’t mean it has to be new.
Reclaimed Cloth Napkins - As a host, I would be thrilled with anything from Atelier Saucier, their reclaimed fabric napkins and table runners are very chic and help keep textiles in circularity.
Or find secondhand linens and have them embroidered- if NYC you can do this at Abbode or Eva Joan.
Vintage Wine Coaster - If you are going to bring a bottle of wine, a vintage wine coaster is a nice compliment and will make a table look nicer.. would also pair nicely with a bottle of Le Fizz.
Candlesticks - Pair with cute matches!
Vintage Glassware - Thrifted glassware + a bottle of something is my go-to-gift because you can easily tailor it to whomever based on their personal style and drink of choose- alcohol or not. Here’s an example!
Cake Stand- Gift it with a dessert on top so it’s ready to be added to the spread. Afterwards, they can add it their collection or pass it on next time they need a host gift too.
Place card Holders - This box of vintage pears place card holders could be used year round, or anyone else’s family collect Spode? Ebay Search Term: “Vintage place card Holders”
Antique Butter Mold- Seems like something Martha Stewart would have.
West~bourne Avocado Oil- is a beautifully packaged cooking and finishing oil, in a 100% recycled glass bottle from organic avocados. This carbon-neutral product exemplifies West~bourne commitment to sustainability, combining regenerative sourcing practices with zero-waste production methods. I trust anything Camilla Marcus does!
SIMPLi Salt Set from regenerative farms sourced directly from small-scale producers who honor ancestral harvesting traditions. Their beans + a soup recipe is another thought. You can find SIMPLi at Whole Foods too.
Matriark Pasta Sauce plus a bag of pasta. Matriark partners with farms and takes their imperfect tomatoes and turns them into delicious sauces- They were also our first CoF Stoop Series guest!
Big Picture Farms Goat Caramels are seriously, the best caramels I’ve ever had and from a sweet goat farm that loves their animals AND is solar-powered. I usually order some of their boxes to have on hand for gifting + sweet treats for myself.
Renewal Mill Cookie Mix combats food waste + bake cookies with their plant-based mixes by upcycling nutritious ingredients within the food system.
Fish Wife Tinned Fish - We used to bring back a suitcase full of tinned fish when we traveled to Portugal to give as gifts, which was always a hit. Now that sardines are considered chic, thanks in part to Fish Wife’s and their sustainably-sourced very cute branded - my personal favorite is the Smoked Salmon x Fly by Jing.
Circle of Friend community members shared what they are bringing to gatherings too
Kelly Bennett, NYC-based Brand Strategist for early-stage CPG food and beverage brands and host of Emerging Brands Podcast, if there is a new and noteworthy f&b brand, Kelly knows about it first and she loves to support small businesses.
Holy Tshili Everything chili oil - great to add to any dips during holiday parties
Peepal People - a new South Asian hot sauce to jazz up holiday leftovers
Frankly Good Coffee holiday box - their ethically sourced, small-batch coffee is the best! Great to bring a host good coffee for the next morning after hosting
Goes Good Together:
Le Fizz + A vintage wine coaster
Set of vintage cocktail coupes + Regenerative Vodka or Gin
Fish Wife Tinned Fish + a silver dish
Vintage Cordial Glasses + an after dinner drink, a good port, amaro or Pathfinder
Matriark Upcycled Sauce + a vintage french linen kitchen towel
Sustainable Self-Care
This person has offered to host during the holidays, they might need a reminder to take care of themselves too.
I hosted an event with hanni in September and have been using their products daily ever since. The splash salve is perfect for a new mom or the friend who says “on my way” even when they just got out of the shower. My mom lives in a dry climate loves the water balm.
Katie Stone, brand strategist and freelance writer for publications like The Strategist + Vogue in the wellness and beauty space. Her popular product matriarks give her a discerning eye for what someone will love as a gift.
Abel Fragrance Scene 02 - I love room sprays as a way to instantly set a mood, and I’m now obsessed with this scent from Abel. I spray it in my bedroom before I get under the covers and I find both the ritual (and the scent) to be soothing.
Ghia Le Fizz + Bottle Opener - I don’t drink, so this has become my go-to dinner party host present because it’s the perfect balance of being useful in the moment (the drink) and in the long run (the bottle opener).
Soft Services Theraplush- Another double hitter: this time it’s an incredible overnight hand cream and a nightstand-worthy object all in one + it’s refillable!
Traditional gift wrapping is boring and wasteful. Here are some ideas to reduce and reuse, remember it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Vintage ribbon, I found 4 bins of vintage ribbon at an estate sale earlier this year that I use any chance something calls for wrapping, you can find similar styles on ebay
Add a vintage ornament or for something extra special, one of Caroline Zimbalist's bio-plastic one
Thrift a basket and tie a ribbon on it, a basket weaving kit would make a nice gift too
I love these reusable organic wraps made in collaboration with a social enterprise in India that helps to create sustainable livelihoods for rural women
Last year I used paint samples to paint bows on cardboard boxes
Still need more ideas? Last year’s gift guide has formulas for gifts based on items you can easily find secondhand.
Thank you for reading Circle of Friends, I’m so grateful! You can follow along on instagram for future Stoop Series interviews and if you want to attend a Circle of Friends event, please sign up here!
Fabulous so what’s everyone bringing to the next Circle of Friends event????
Love it! Thank you for having me :)