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The Best NYC Gifts for Party Hosts

Ah, the holiday party. Whether your bestie, your boss, or a business acquaintance throws the bash, the same rule applies: you shouldn't show up empty-handed. It’s polite, of course, to offer a small gift, but it’s also appropriately festive and holiday-ish and just in the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever you observe. After all, ‘tis the season, and shopping and giving are just as much fun as receiving…especially if your host chooses to share. Read on for our picks for the best New York gifts to bring a host.

Something personal and unexpected is often a welcome surprise; it also lifts the burden on the host of having to use the gift right then and there (hello, wine). Give your host a unique gift and have an incredibly fun time purchasing it by going to Casey Rubber Stamps in the East Village. You can choose a design that already exists (cow, butterfly, moon, owl, guitar, Mad Hatter…) or create a custom stamp. Maybe a festive greeting that your host can merrily stamp on gifts? Be a sport and throw in an inkpad and maybe even some nice crisp paper. You can even up the ante by creating a gift-giving kit: A stamp that says “Merry & Bright” (or the equivalent); some beautiful sheets of paper from Paper Presentation that can be used for wrapping; and some cool washi tape from Da Vinci artist supply. Gift wrapping accomplished.

Diptyque Holiday Collection

For the elegant, oh-this-old-thing-in-reference-to-her-Chloe-shawl-wearing hostess, an equally elegant candle is a good call. So go big and go Diptyque: the French brand’s candles start at $32, and trust us; your host will be impressed. We like Orange Tree and Fig Tree, but the holiday collection boasts Delicious Spices as well as the festive Fir Tree, both available in large or mini sizes. Their signature packaging is immediately identifiable—and definitely welcome. For a more upstart, clean-world option, go for a coconut wax Keap candle, with fragrances like Wood Cabin and Hot Springs. Portions of the proceeds help distribute solar lamps to people who live outside the electrical grid.

For the hosts who loved summer camp/that time they stayed at that adorable log cabin: Secret Santa S'mores. Yes, you’re already salivating, and we can’t blame you. Three Tarts offers several kits; try the holiday-ish/chocolate overload version that contains chocolate-chip graham cookies, chocolate peppermint marshmallows, and skewers. (Available at Dean & DeLuca.)

Rivsalt

For kitschy, whimsical kitchen gifts, pop into E.A.T. gifts on Madison Avenue. Linen cocktail napkins embroidered with such words as “daring,” “gracious” and “charming” are both appropriate and smile-worthy, while the rivsalt set includes a beechwood stand grater and Himalayan pink sea salt. Now, there’s a party activity!

LEONE candies gifts

For the host who always likes to have a little something to nibble on stashed in a pocket: bring mixed fruit jellies, chocolate-covered crunchy Torrone (nougat), or some pretty boxes of Leone orange, red currant, or lemon candies, all from Eataly. (Yes, it's okay to pick up some pasta for dinner while you’re there.)

For the hostess who digs that groovy, slightly off-kilter decorating vibe: unexpected ornaments. Jonathan Adler is the place for non-traditional options--a metallic car; a porcelain elephant; a poodle; or an amoeba (Yes--have yourself a merry little amoeba.) You can also pick up salt and pepper shakers shaped like terriers, or jet set coasters with the names of such destinations as Acapulco and Capri.

Papyrus

And for the hosts who have a lot of thank-you notes to write for all the party gifts they’ve been given: give them a head start, and one less thing to think about during the holidays (after all, they threw this nice party). Papyrus offers a lovely selection of boxed notecards—we especially like the “ton of thanks” card, with the gold crane (lifting a ton of thanks, of course), as well as the Bohemian Paisley thank you notes, which are almost pretty enough to frame.

Oh—and while you’re there, you may as well pick up some for yourself as well. You never know when someone will be dropping by with some gifts for you, too.

About the Author

Evan Levy runs fable & lark, which offers interactive museum tours inspired by great stories. See fableandlark.com for all the details. In addition, she's the author of two children's picture books. She loves stories in any form, and lives in New York with her family.

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