Holiday Gift Guide 2019: For The Hostess

Today is Cyber Monday and I can't think of a better day of the year to kick off my annual gift guide series! This is the seventh year I've been putting together these recommendations and I have the best time hunting for each and every item.

I hope that some of these ideas help you find the perfect present for the loved ones on your holiday list. 

Let's begin with gifts for the hostess. In the month of December, family, friends and coworkers open their doors to us for all kinds of occasions - happy hours, dinner parties, gift swaps, holiday meals and more. I was raised that you never show up empty handed, so I take these kinds of gifts very seriously. 

I like to bring food. Not only does it help the hostess cross one thing off her to-do list, but you can add something to the spread that you know everyone will enjoy. Pastry chef Christina Tosi's Milk Bar now ships their confections all across the country. Dazzle your hostess (and her guests!) with the peppermint bark cake. 

If you'll be staying the night or the weekend, consider Stonewall Kitchen's Snow Day Gift, which has items to keep everyone warm (hot chocolate, clam chowder), as well as brownie mix, addictive sea salt crackers and a festive snowman tea towel to add extra flair to the kitchen.

Speaking of festive decor, these paper trees from West Elm are a beautiful gift. They add instant holiday charm to any table or mantel. And the best part? No pine needles to clean up! 

Also in the tree shape, this serving board with three porcelain bowls from Crate & Barrel. Use the sections to serve dips, nuts or candies. 

This next item I am particularly excited about. These are candy cane-shaped spoons from Anthropologie. They are marketed as hot cocoa spoons, but wouldn't they be the most adorable garnish to a holiday cocktail or hot toddy? 

If your hosts are big beer drinkers, customize this slate and wood bottle opener from Mark & Graham with their initials. I have an opener exactly like this in my kitchen. I mounted it right next to the fridge and it makes cracking open bottles ridiculously easy. 

If you're looking for even more hostess gift ideas, check out some of the previous lists: 

• Holiday Gift Guide 2014: For the Hostess
• Holiday Gift Guide 2015: For the Hostess
• Holiday Gift Guide 2016: For the Hostess
• Holiday Gift Guide 2017: For the Hostess
• Holiday Gift Guide 2018: For the Hostess

There are many more guides to come this week. Stay tuned! 

*Home page image via Kari Shea on Unsplash, all other images courtesy of vendors.