Our Favorite Gifts to Bring to a Holiday Party

Great presentation hardly ever goes unnoticed, and a colorful cake stand is a creative way to elevate the dessert you’ll be toting along to your next fete, be it cookies, pies, or cake. This splatter cake stand from Crow Canyon is available in five bright colors and will bring a bold burst of whimsy to the table. Take it from me: Your holiday host will be pleased to receive this one.

If classic taper candles aren’t your thing (or your host’s), this whimsical alternative offers the perfect twist on tradition. This pair of asparagus taper candles is part of Happy Organic’s produce-forward collection, which also includes heirloom tomatoes, carrots, corn, citrus, and so much more. Grab a variety and create a little “veggie” basket for a statement-making gift bundle.

If you plan to bring fresh flowers to a holiday gathering, take it a step further and pair them with a beautiful vase. Your host won’t have to worry about finding a spot for the flowers in the middle of entertaining, and they’ll have something to hang on to after the flowers have lived out their course. This minty-green version from Anthropologie is the perfect size for a small bunch of festive florals.

Come the holiday season, I like to stock up on a handful of beautifully designed tea towels to use as gift wrap when I’m in a pinch. Case in point? Being tasked with finding an aesthetically pleasing way to wrap a bottle of wine, olive oil, and even candles. I love Julie Peach’s hand-printed tea towels, and this citrus version offers up a bright burst of color that’s sure to please. Best of all, your host can reuse the towel afterward.

It’s hard to go wrong with a design-forward pitcher that’s prime for entertaining and the rest of the days in between. “The recent reissue Købenstyle pitcher from heritage homewares brand Dansk comes in poppy hues like teal and red, along with several more neutral options,” says Jen Bekman, founder of the online art company 20x200. “I love the wrapped handle and retro flair, and I’m particularly fond of gifts that someone can use and enjoy every day!”

“Every host appreciates fresh new serveware, and Sabre’s Bistrot designs are my favorite,” says Katherine Lewin, founder of Big Night, a shop dedicated to hosting and dinner party essentials. “I love to gift the serving set or the butter spreader, ideally alongside fancy butter.”

There’s something to be said about splurging on the basics with the intention of elevating the everyday. Case in point: This speckled plastic cutting board can easily transition from a prep station to the dinner table. Its eye-catching composition, with a bright yellow handle, is just one reason to love it. It also happens to be quite sturdy and is available in a variety of equally fun colorways.

According to Anthony Mangieri, owner of Una Pizza Napoletana in New York City, a bread knife is a great gift for the holiday host. Mangieri recommends this version by Tojiro for its top-notch quality and ability to cut through crusty sourdough, and the length of the blade, which makes it easy to slice large loaves.

If you want to take it to the next level, pair it with a fresh loaf of bread. Mangieri suggests Poilane’s sourdough bread, which ships from France. “It’s a delicious, beautiful artisan product with a rich history,” he says. “It stays fresh for a week, so the host can use it in so many ways beyond slicing and eating—next morning’s French toast, croutons, etc.”

If you’ve yet to get on the BonBon train, well, what are you waiting for? The Swedish candy company has taken New York City by storm with its delectable confections inspired by iconic Scandinavian treats. Grab a gift box—you can choose between a sweet or sour mix, or opt for a combination of the two—to treat the holiday host.

Great olive oil is almost always appreciated. One that comes in an aesthetically pleasing bottle that can be used again and again is a major plus. Cue Zia Pia’s Fantasia extra virgin olive oil. Encased in a hand-painted splatterware ceramic vessel, it’s made with Ogliarola and Coratina olives from Italy’s Puglia region. Pair this with a fresh loaf of sourdough bread and burrata. 

While this version wasn’t included in our evaluation of the best extra virgin olive oils last year, I love it for dressing salads and cooking.

Next time you’re headed to a party, ditch the standard box of chocolates for a healthier treat. I remember the first time I tried Rancho Meladuco dates and how floored I was by their high-quality. They were tender and indulgently rich, unlike the harder, saccharine versions I typically buy from the grocery store. Sourced from a date farm in California’s Coachella Valley (yes, the one and the same), they’re handpicked, sun-ripened, and pretty sublime. 

Palais des Thés teas are the ultimate little luxury, and this tropical brew is not to be missed. Featuring a blend of mango, pineapple, papaya, and peach, this caffeine-free tea is refreshing and delightfully fragrant. Choose from a loose-leaf version that comes in a metal tin, tea in a pouch, or tea in standard tea bags. Take it to the next level by pairing it with a set of teacups.

According to the author and chocolatier Maribel Lieberman of MarieBelle New York Chocolates, this cheese basket is the ideal holiday gift. It features an assortment of cow’s milk cheeses paired with cured meat, honey, salted nuts, and more, all packaged in a reusable wooden crate. “It is the perfect gift for the entertainer who loves to prepare beautiful appetizers and crudités or charcuterie boards,” she says.

A colorful set of highball glasses is a great gift for the entertainer with a flair for design. These versatile ones can be used to serve cocktails or double as water glasses for a holiday table.

I received a set of cocktail napkins from Atelier Saucier as a housewarming gift, and they’re by far one of my most prized possessions. Made from reclaimed denim, the hand-embroidered pieces spark joy each time I pull them out for a party or an everyday occasion. Available in an array of fun colorways and patterns, you can mix and match them to your heart’s content.

In an evaluation of the best cocktail shakers, a CR editor designated this model as the best-looking. Its Art Deco-inspired design and luxe brass finish certainly give it flair. Made from coated stainless steel, this shiny shaker can dress up just about any bar cart and mix a mean cocktail.

For more options: Best Cocktail Makers

I’m always in favor of everyday staples that are reimagined in unexpected, fun ways, and these cheeky tumblers from Ichendorf Milano are no exception. They’re handmade from borosilicate glass and available in an array of motifs, offering a prime opportunity to personalize them according to your giftee’s interests.

For anyone who has ever struggled to open a bottle of wine with a waiter’s corkscrew (present company included), here’s one gift that will keep on giving.

“I almost exclusively drink wine at home, and love this electric wine opener for opening bottles,” says Jodhaira Rodriguez, a CR writer. “I struggled to get the cork out of bottles with a manual corkscrew for a very long time before my dad introduced me to the world of electric wine openers. This was a game-changer for me.”

There’s a better way to preserve an open bottle of wine than with a regular rubber stopper. Preventing oxidation is key to prolonging the shelf life and flavor of wine, and the Repour wine saver is one expert-recommended method. Made from recycled materials, the device is essentially a stopper that absorbs the oxygen inside a bottle.

Read more: How to Preserve an Open Bottle of Wine, According to Wine Experts