Search
Design

These Creative Hostess Gifts Are Sure to Earn You a Return Invitation

From a fashion-forward new home fragrance collection to artisan glassware, these thoughtful tokens will let your hosts know how much you appreciate their hospitality

By Jill Sieracki
Elegant spring-themed table setting with tulips, striped plates, and personalized name cards on a wooden table.
Cheery summer tableware from Elizabeth Lake. Photo: Kirsten Francis
Three floral-shaped glass candle holders, two tall with yellow petals and one small pink, on a white background.
Summerill & Bishop and Casarialto collaborated on the Iris and Lotus candle holders. Photo: Courtesy of Summerill & Bishop

1. Casarialto x Summerill & Bishop Candle Holders

Casarialto, a purveyor of stunning Italian glassware, teamed up with Summerill & Bishop, the London-based maker of luxury linen tablecloths, for a pair of sculptural candle holders perfect for summer. The blown-glass works come in two styles—lithe Iris, available in pink or gold, or the spritely Lotus.

Colorful botanical patterned towel with blue, yellow, and green tropical leaves on one side and a solid yellow color on the other.
Laos towel from Yves Delorme. Photo: Courtesy of Yves Delorme
Tropical-patterned fabric pouch with zipper and red accent on white background.
Iosis Louisiane small tote from Yves Delorme. Photo: Courtesy of Yves Delorme

2. Yves Delorme

Known for its sumptuous linens and bath towels, Yves Delorme also stocks a fanciful selection of beach-ready accessories. The tropical Laos towel is perfect for any oceanfront estate; plus, proceeds go to benefit Oceanic Global, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving ocean health. Pair it with one of the brand’s new tapestry pouches, like the Iosis Louisiane small tote, stocked with a thoughtful mix of travel-size sundries.

Ceramic jug with abstract paint design in shades of black, gray, brown, and blue, featuring a handle and spout.
Antique French Alsace pitcher from Tori Jones Studio. Photo: Courtesy of Tori Jones Studio

3. Antique pitcher from Tori Jones

A treasured East Coast hideaway, Block Island is celebrated for its charming architecture, restaurants, and shops. Tori Jones, a veteran of multiple design magazines, owns a namesake studio, open throughout the summer season, that’s stocked with vintage, antique, and one-of-a-kind furnishings, artworks, and decorative goods. With its earthy palette of blues, grays, and ochres, this circa-1820s jaspé pitcher from Alsace, France, makes a beautiful vessel for wildflowers or an eye-catching centerpiece.

Three elegant perfume bottles in front of floral-themed boxes, featuring poppy designs in red, white, and pink hues.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

4. Alexander McQueen Candle Collection

Already a pioneer in avant-garde fashion and accessories, Alexander McQueen is now entering the home fragrance category with a series of sculptural candles available in three distinct aromas—Ghost Flower, a mix of peony and freesia with notes of patchouli; Pagan Rose, that blends wild rose and peat; and Savage Bloom, a combination of tuberose and exotic oud.

Six silver metal card holders with a striped pattern, shown with a card featuring a red wine glass illustration.
Photo: Courtesy of Dear Annabelle

5. Dear Annabelle

Who doesn’t love a party? Earn yourself an open invitation with a few bottles of refreshing summer wines paired with these chic Bottoms Up place cards and Art Deco Daisy Place card holders from Dear Annabelle’s array of cheeky stationery.

Yellow floral table setting with layered plates and a white napkin featuring a yellow flower design.
Porto placemat and Tulip napkin in marigold from Elizabeth Lake. Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Lake

6. Elizabeth Lake

Elizabeth Lake stocks a variety of summery table linens, embroidered napkins, and now, a collection of sculptural pieces by London ceramicist Malory Tate. The brand’s dainty Porto placemats, made from Belgian linen, in bright marigold and matching Italian linen Tulip dinner napkins, with hand-stitched embellishments, will brighten any country table.

Five blue glass perfume bottles with dark caps, each featuring a unique artistic label design.
Vatsu sprays from Sara Bengur. Photo: Courtesy of Sara Bengur

7. Vatsu Room Spray by Sara Bengur

Interior designer Sara Bengur is certified in the ancient Indian art of vastu, which uses architecture and design to bring harmony to the home. Now, she’s created these five healing sprays alongside Subhakshi alchemist Lucia Gill that channel their essence in Sanskrit to attract peace of mind, spiritual growth, increase vitality, conjure grounding energy, or remove obstacles.

Green and blue striped woven throw with pink polka dots and fringe detailing.
Cheyenne navy throw by Frances Valentine for Annie Selke. Photo: Courtesy of Annie Selke
Blue pillows with vibrant yellow and red floral embroidery, one square and one rectangular, displayed against a white background.
Kris applique blue decorative pillow by Frances Valentine for Annie Selke. Photo: Courtesy of Annie Selke

8. Frances Valentine for Annie Selke

Fashion label Frances Valentine and home goods purveyor Annie Selke, two brands beloved for their use of color and pattern, have teamed up for a bright collection of cheerful accents perfect for adding a little zing to a neutral guest room.

Red circular pattern made of evenly spaced, small round dots on a plain white background.
Round bamboo placemat in coral from Kim Seybert. Photo: Courtesy of Kim Seybert

9. Kim Seybert

Coral-colored objets are always a sure-fire hit at summer homes. Tableware designer Kim Seybert created these colorful placemats that are made using a tight mosaic of bamboo beads. Dyed and strung by hand, they have an artisan spirit that gives added to dimension to any summer table.

Silver pitcher with matching napkin rings and clear glasses on a tray.
Thorpe barware and entertaining collection from Ralph Lauren Home. Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home

10. Ralph Lauren Home

No matter if your host plans to serve freshly squeezed lemonade or zesty mojitos, Ralph Lauren’s new Thorpe collection of barware and entertaining essentials elevates any cocktail hour. The stainless steel cocktail shaker, pitcher, tray, centerpiece bowl, napkin rings, and serving spoons have ribbed details and a polished finish.

Five white napkins with colorful embroidered flowers, including poppies, roses, larkspur, violets, and asters.
Photo: Courtesy of Loretta Caponi

11. Loretta Caponi

Farm-fresh flowers eventually fade, but a bright bouquet of these delicately embroidered Italian linens will last for generations. Loretta Caponi’s napkins and placemats come in more varieties than an English garden and each examples is hand-sewn in Tuscany.

Two bottles of rosé wine with floral packaging on a pink gradient background.
Wölffer Estate Summer in a Bottle 2022 rose in a limited-edition Zimmermann gift set. Photo: Courtesy of Wölffer Estate

12. Wölffer Estate x Zimmermann

Just the very suggestion that Wölffer Estate’s beloved Summer in a Bottle rosé may run out has been known to cause panic throughout Long Island. Now, the delectable quaff is coming dressed in its Hamptons best with an exuberant new label design created in conjunction with one of the East End’s favorite fashion labels, Zimmermann.