The season of celebrations is upon us, which means showing some appreciation for those who open their homes, pass the hors d’oeuvres, and bring us all together. This year show up with a host or hostess gift that feels like it was hand-selected just for them.
The holidays are here, friends, and we all know what that means—gatherings filled with love, laughter, and, of course, delicious food! But let’s not forget the hostesses and hosts who open their homes and make these magical moments possible. While a bottle of wine might seem like the go-to gift, why not switch things up?
Whether an intimate dinner or a full-blown party, arriving with a gift can mean the world to your host. Thoughtful, unique gifts can leave a lasting impression and show your appreciation in a way that feels personal and heartfelt.
From pantry upgrades for the foodie friend to little luxuries inspired by my Mediterranean kitchen, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gift ideas that are anything but ordinary. These gifts are practical but also packed with meaning—because who doesn’t love a present they can actually use (or eat!)? Whether it’s a jar of golden honey, a beautifully curated spice set, or a set of candles perfect for entertaining, these items will make you a favorite guest.
And don’t worry—every suggestion is simple and elegant, just like the recipes you’ve come to love here on The Mediterranean Dish. So, let’s ditch the wine and dive into some creative, show-stopping ideas that will make any host or hostess feel truly celebrated. Read on for some of my favorite gift ideas to help you ensure you’re giving something unique, useful, delicious, and distinctive. I know I would be thrilled to receive any of these when playing host during the holiday season!
Table of Contents
- Ready-to-Eat Treats
- Tea
- Date-Sweetened Chocolate
- Artisan Honey
- Charcuterie Board To-Go
- Amarena Cherries
- Homemade Baked Goods
- Beautiful Ingredients
- Something for the Person Who Has Everything
- Cookbooks
- Beautiful Candles
- Pasta Bowls
- A Gorgeous Platter
- Olive Wood Utensils
- Tea Towels
- Fresh Flowers or a Potted Plant
- Kitchen-Friendly Hand Cream & Soap
- Smock Apron
- Market Tote
- Mediterranean Diet Starter Kit
Ready-to-Eat Treats
For the host with good taste who loves to snack or entertain, ready-to-eat (or drink) gifts are always a hit. These treats are perfect for someone to enjoy as a little indulgence once the guests have gone home!
Tea
If your host is a tea drinker, an interesting box of tea bags or loose-leaf tea is a delightful gift, especially when paired with a gorgeous mug and our Greek honey. Choose an herbal citrus tea perfect for after-dinner sipping, or an aromatic floral green tea blend for an afternoon cup and a moment of relaxation.
Date-Sweetened Chocolate
Chocolate is a host gift as timeless as a bottle of wine. To make it special, I like to bundle a few of the date-sweetened bars from Spring & Mulberry. I love the combination of dates and chocolate, and these bars are a lower-sugar option made with direct-trade chocolate. Plus, the packaging is just beautiful — a few different bars makes an elegant stack — and the whole fruit and nut flavors are amazing.
Artisan Honey
A special jar of honey is a treat that’s easy to enjoy both as an effortless drizzle on top of plain Greek yogurt, or as inspiration for a savory meal like Harissa Honey Chicken. I love to gift a jar of citrus blossom honey and a honey pot set to make serving it even easier.
Charcuterie Board To-Go
Give the gift of snacks by assembling a bundle of cheeses, dried fruits, cured meats, and jarred olives, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts — all ready to serve with a handsome cheese board and serving knives. This is a perfect idea for someone who appreciates the beauty of a good cheese or crudité board. Your host can lay out a spread in minutes, perfect for a post-party unwind or a ready-made meal for the next day. Pro tip: pack anything that requires refrigeration in a cooler because then your host won’t have to find space in the fridge!
Amarena Cherries
Candied cherries imported from Italy are a sweet indulgence. They have a firm texture and an intense flavor that makes them the perfect addition on top of gorgonzola or goat cheese crostini, added to fresh cannoli, dropped into a limoncello spritz, or just spooned over Greek yogurt.
Homemade Baked Goods
Nothing says “thanks for having me” quite like homemade baking. Whether you arrive with a batch of buttery cookies; a sunny, citrusy cake; a beautiful, braided challah; or some simple biscotti, baking is a lovely way to show your appreciation. Pack small treats in gold-printed cellophane bags and share crusty homemade bread in linen bread bags, or for someone really special gift your cake on this beautiful cake stand. Baked goods are a gift of time and love, perfect for hosts who might enjoy a thoughtful treat for breakfast the next morning!
Beautiful Ingredients
I find that people who love to cook are always looking for new inspiration to fuel their hobby. It’s easy to share pantry upgrades to inspire their next meal.
Everyday EVOO Bundle
If there’s one thing an avid home cook always needs, it’s good olive oil, or as I like to say, the start of everything delicious! Our shop features carefully curated extra virgin olive oils from different regions, like robust Koroneiki from Crete and versatile Arbequina from California. Gifting this bundle, which includes bottles from Spain, Greece, Italy, and California, offers the recipient a chance to compare and contrast olive oil flavor profiles. Pair it with a loaf of rustic Italian bread from your local bakery and they’ll be able to taste olive oil like a professional. Don’t forget the pour spout!
Preserved Lemons
I love to use salt-cured lemons to add brightness and tang to everything from salad dressings to stews. Because they’re still hard to find in regular grocery stores, I find they make a special and distinctive DIY. Follow my preserved lemon recipe and give the gift of sunshine! Shop my favorite jars in the link below.
Za’atar
I love to give jars of this fragrant mix of sumac, wild thyme, and toasty sesame seeds as gifts. Despite the importance of za’atar in the Mediterranean kitchen, it can still be difficult to find. It is an amazing seasoning blend for almost anything. Check out our za’atar guide for ideas on how to use it!
Exotic Spice Bundle
What avid cook wouldn’t appreciate a refresh of their spice cabinet? I love to gift a bundle of spices that includes some of my favorites: sumac, ras al hanout, baharat, and Aleppo pepper. These spices offer a glimpse into the world of bold, vibrant Mediterranean flavors often missing in basic spice racks, and they’re a perfect upgrade for any adventurous cook.
Something for the Person Who Has Everything
Finding the perfect host or hostess gift for the friend or family member who has everything can be challenging. Sometimes it’s about thinking of what is useful: a cookbook, a scented candle, the perfect tea towel or tote to take to the farmers market. Here’s a selection of a few things I hope your favorite people will love.
Cookbooks
I love a good cookbook, and it lasts so much longer than a bottle of wine for about the same amount of money! If you have a cook in your life who loves flavor and wants to dive into healthy Mediterranean cooking, I hope my cookbooks make the top of your hostess gift lists! Pair it with a favorite spice or mini olive oil kit to get them started!
Beautiful Candles
There’s just nothing like the twinkle of a flickering candle to make the winter months a little cozier, and they’re a lovely thing to gift. A bundle of dripless taper candles and simple handcrafted holders compliment any season or decor are a great way for a host to add some glow to their table. A luxe scented candle — especially this one from Nest fragranced with citrus and olive leaf — is a thoughtful splurge. Who doesn’t love the feeling of a refreshing candle burning in a clean kitchen?
Pasta Bowls
I love using cheerful, colorful wide and shallow bowls for everything from dishing up pasta and plating quick and easy meals to putting out mandarin oranges or candied nuts for snacking. Any home cook will find dozens of ways to use these practical but pretty gifts.
A Gorgeous Platter
A simple, elegant platter is an all-seasons essential perfect for plating up a mezze spread or a beautiful fruit salad in the summer months. I like to gift something that has neutral colors and design because it can be used year-round. This stoneware option from Williams-Sonoma has an understated elegance and an organic shape that would be at home on any table.
Olive Wood Utensils
Any host who loves to cook would appreciate some new wooden utensils as a beautiful and functional addition to their kitchen. Natural olive wood utensils are beautiful enough to be a kitchen display item, but sturdy enough for stirring a pot of hearty stew or serving pasta.
Tea Towels
Tea towels are a practical yet stylish gift that any host can appreciate, especially if they’re well-made and feature beautiful designs. Cotton-linen towels are beautiful, but sturdy enough that you can use them to make homemade labneh or ricotta. Use them to pad a gift basket with some other goodies like some scones and a jar of jam or marmalade. You can even use them as the “wrapping” for a candle or bottle of olive oil.
Fresh Flowers or a Potted Plant
Flowers are always a thoughtful gesture, especially if you bring them already in a vase so your host doesn’t need to find one! However, consider going beyond a traditional bouquet with a low-maintenance plant. A mini spruce is festive or a potted rosemary can be a lovely, long-lasting option with a beautiful fragrance!
Kitchen-Friendly Hand Cream & Soap
Between dry air and dishwashing, any home cook can tell you that this time of year is rough on the hands. Treat your host to a premium duo of hand cream and soap to give their kitchen sink a glow-up. I love the fir and grapefruit fragrance from Barr-Co. It’s light and refreshing, the lotion absorbs well without greasiness, and the aroma is food-friendly because it’s not too floral.
Smock Apron
Who wouldn’t love an apron upgrade to protect their party clothes while putting on the finishing touches? You know how much I love lemons and this cotton apron would be right at home in anyone’s kitchen.
Market Tote
I love to use our sturdy Market Tote to create a gift bag by adding a few other goodies from this list! Pack the bottom with tissue paper, tuck a bottle of olive oil in the pocket and some fresh flowers and a loaf of bread on the inside!
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