There’s a beloved and oft-replicated needlepoint pillow design that reads, “You never know how many friends you have until you have a country house.” Well, the sun’s out, summer Fridays have commenced, and it’s high time to reunite with friends and family, preferably in a balmy, waterfront location belonging to someone you love. So what is the perfect gift to bring your weekend host or hostess? Of course, there are some one-size-fits-all options—olive oil soap in the shape of grapes, a Murano glass nut bowl—but the best hostess gifts are the most thoughtful ones, targeted to the recipient and his or her interests.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Hostess Gifts:
Herewith, a curated gift selection by type of host from the Southampton doyenne who considers tablescaping the eighth art to the on-the-couch Olympian who loves sports since watching Challengers and is practicing her pickleball as she waits to see if Nadal ends up in the Olympics after all, to some high end gays who put Tom Hollander’s White Lotus character to shame. For the Southampton Doyenne…
For Some High-End Gays…
It might not be a palazzo in Sicily but everything in this couple’s home is chicer than yours so gifting them is daunting. Arrive with an elegant comestible: designer chocolate or Via Carota Old Fashioned mix and you guarantee not to end up overboard like Jennifer Coolidge in White Lotus.
Challengers Challenged Her…
Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor confirmed her as a racquet sports obsessive. From pickle to Padel, she can’t get enough. She’s also a world class on-the-couch Olympian who can’t wait to see if Nadal actually retires. A Loewe “I Told Ya” tee probably isn’t the best use of your gifting budget but a Nettie Pickleball racket or a canister of monogram tennis balls hits the sweet spot.
For the Trompe L’Oeil Trickster…
This friend is the queen of puns, her weekend invitation always includes one. Help her set the table with some of these pouches dressed as food, not to mention a trompe l’oeil paper bag vase. For dessert, serve this spectacular fried chicken ice cream–the breadcrumbs are cornflakes and the drumstick is a pretzel!
For the Southampton Doyenne…
Who considers tablescaping the 8th art: Flatware and wicker is her love language, get her something she may not get herself like cheeky “this or that” place cards from House & Parties; the chicest bamboo pizza cutter or have an inside joke engraved on a Christofle trinket box.
For the Gentleman Farmer…
They’re in marketing…farmer’s markets that is. These hosts just want you to take home more zucchini: They refer to their saltbox in Litchfield County exclusively as “The Farm” and are desperate for you to fawn over their bounty of heirloom tomatoes. Encourage this family endeavor with these Japanese secateurs for the peony garden and a veggie basket for the kids.
For Your Chill College Roommate…
Whose Catskills cabin cohorts are pumped about New York’s recent marijuana legalization: They’ll need the most elegant Edie Parker Flower x Paul Arnhold glass bong, the chicest version of The Dude with Tekla’s hooded bathrobe, some Levain cookies, available fully baked but frozen from FreshDirect and some special CBD dog treats so Fido doesn’t feel left out.
For the Friend Fond of Marrakesh Souks…
But has had to content herself with the aisles of her local health food store: Bring the world to her with Malaika’s Egyptian embroidered napkins and an elephant grass basket from Ghana.
For the Late-Night Board Gamer…
Who never tires of another round of Boggle: Provide the perfect set up for an evening of gaming with a deluxe cheese board, or personalized pencils and Monopoly board.
For the Mom of Four…
She’s filled out so many camp health forms and applied gallons of sunblock. The best gift you can possibly give her is a cold cocktail and some babysitting. Set her up with the best ice cream sandwiches and keep the kids busy for the afternoon with a Super Smalls sunglasses decorating kit and the cutest paper dollhouse.
For the Beachfront Betty…
Who spends all day long on the beach: They’ve just finished renovating their oceanfront Amagansett cottage with sea-inspired accents so even when they’re not on the sand, they’re still thinking about it. Help add to that collection with this ingenious umbrella-friendly beach blanket and Hamptons’ print pajamas.