Hostess Gift Etiquette: What to Bring and What to Know
Do you need to bring a hostess gift? What should you bring, and should the host open it? A simple guide to hostess gift and house guest etiquette.
Being a great guest is an art, and so is being a gracious host. Whether you're heading to a dinner party, a weekend at the beach house or a holiday open house, these simple etiquette rules will make sure you're invited back.
Should you bring a hostess gift?
Yes, almost always. A small gift says thank you for opening your home. It doesn't need to be expensive, just thoughtful. The exception is a large, casual party like a big open house or a backyard barbecue, where a bottle of wine or nothing at all is perfectly fine.
What makes a good hostess gift
- Something she can enjoy later. Don't bring something that needs her attention mid-party, like flowers that need a vase or food she feels she must serve.
- Something personal. Match it to her hobbies, her home or her style.
- Something wrapped. A little presentation goes a long way.
A napkin weight paired with a pack of cocktail napkins is our go-to: easy to wrap, used again and again, and never re-gifted.
Should the host open the gift right away?
Not necessarily. At a dinner party the host can set the gift aside and open it later. A thank-you note or text the next day is always appreciated. If you bring wine, say “this is for you to enjoy another time” so she doesn't feel she has to serve it.
Hostess gifts by occasion
- Dinner party: a boxed coaster set or cocktail napkins with a weight
- Weekend house guest: something bigger, like a serving tray or a decorative bowl, plus guest towels
- Game night: a score-keeping notepad or game-themed napkins
- Holiday party: a seasonal napkin weight she'll bring out every year
- Shabbat dinner: Shabbat Shalom napkins or a hamsa keepsake
House guest etiquette
- Arrive on time, but never early.
- Offer to help, and accept a no gracefully.
- Don't leave the dishes for your host on a weekend stay.
- Follow up with a thank-you note within a few days.
Etiquette for the host
Make guests feel welcome from the moment they arrive: a drink in hand within five minutes, a clean powder room with guest towels, and somewhere to put their coat. And don't forget to stock the powder room.
“You Look Amazing, Now Join the Party” guest towels make everyone smile.
More ideas: Hostess Gift Ideas She'll Actually Use.
