Good summer hostess gifts (or, a mid-year just-because mini gift guide)
Now that people in the U.S. are getting vaccinated and starting to see friends again, whether at dinner parties or for long weekends, I thought it might be a good time to share some nice little host/ess gifts to bring along for the ride.
To me, the best host gifts have an element of whimsy or play — i.e., they are things that people wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves (though you can/should buy these things for yourself), but will be delighted to have in their home. Below are some of my current favorite options, most of which are under $20.
Edible gifts
Pickles + a pickle fork.
I mentioned this elsewhere recently, but I’ve found that pickles make a great last-minute/unexpected addition to a buffet or snack spread, and a really good last-minute thing to bring to a party. I personally love the Claussen kosher dill pickles you can only find in the refrigerated section at grocery stores, but there’s also no shortage of fancy artisanal pickles on the market right now. In any case, this is one of the more casual items on the list, which is why the dedicated pickle fork is a nice addition. You could go with a classic silver ($9.45 for a set of two on Amazon) or one that can be strapped right on to the pickle jar ($8.99 on Amazon), which makes for an especially nice gift presentation. If you wanted to lean into the barbecue theme, you could do a pickle fork + dedicated potato chip tongs ($9.87 on Amazon) + a 12-pack of red plastic burger baskets ($10.97 on Amazon).
Triple cream brie + cheese vault.
Are you sensing a theme here? To me, food item + non-perishable food related gift is a golden combination! In this case, I was planning on just recommending the brie alone, but then I stumbled on this cheese vault ($34 from Food52), and, well, it felt like fate! Back to the brie for a second though: I first learned of it from my friend Emily Fleishaker, an excellent cook and host, who also happens to work for NYT Cooking. She served it to me once and I was immediately sold. Cheese shops should have at least one triple cream brie, as will Whole Foods, and it’s just so good and is genuinely gift-worthy. If you didn’t want to pair it with the cheese vault, some hot honey would also be nice.
Luxardo cherries.
Here’s how much I love these cherries: several years ago, I spent $99 on a 6-pound can of them, because that was the only way you could get them. Now, luckily, they’ve become a bit more mainstream, and you can get a jar that would fit on most bar carts for $24.99 on Amazon. I think the cherries stand alone quite well, but if you wanted to add a little something, search “vintage cocktail picks” on Etsy and find a set that matches your host’s interests/aesthetic.
Non-edible gifts
A little game you play with cards.
I’m very into little games you play with cards (as in, games you play with a unique deck and just that deck) right now, in part because they are easy to store and to bring along to a picnic or a house party or beach trip. Some options: The Bears and the Bees ($14.99 but currently on sale for $8.99), Sushi Go ($7.39), Strawberry Sunset ($12.95), and Anomia ($15.50) (+ review here). (Also, all of these aside from Anomia just require two players, which is nice!)
A good disposable camera.
Disposable cameras are a fun little treat that have been having a moment lately. I recently bought a bunch of LeBox 400 cameras for summer fun — apparently they take really good photos in general, but especially in very bright sunlight, which is ideal for the beach. (They also have a flash, so you can use them basically wherever.) Get one on Amazon for $15.79.
Some Dad Grass.
This is more of a gift you bring to share, imo, but you could also bring an extra pack to leave with your host at the end of the trip if they like it. It’s super mellow and not scary, which is exactly what I’m in the mood for these days. Get a pack of five joints from Dad Grass for $35. (BTW if you use this link, we’ll both get $10 off.) ☀️