21 Easy And Inexpensive Hostess Gifts

Any fancy salt is great, but red or black salt is more striking and (I think) more special. Use it like you would use sea salt, on finished dishes like pasta, roasted vegetables, steak, or fish. Available here ($4.50).

Everyone appreciates having interesting condiments on hand. Available here ($7.95).

Za'atar is a traditional Middle Eastern blend of dried herbs, spices and sesame seeds. It's really versatily and great served with olive oil and bread, but unique enough that your host probably won't already have it in his or her cabinet. Available here ($8.91).

So many farm stands (or orchards, if you go to one) sell jars of their own homemade apple butter. If you want to cheat and order homemade apple butter online, it's available here ($8.95).

The other guests will appreciate this as much as the host. Available here ($9.95).

Picking up a box of cheap chocolate at the drugstore is better than nothing, but it's not a very thoughtful hostess gift. Instead, bring a small (read: for the host, not for everybody at the party) box of nice chocolate truffles that feel special. Available here ($10). Here are some other great chocolate gift ideas.

Bonus points if you also bring ice cream to eat with it. Available here ($9.95).

Preferably something you've never seen or heard of before. The gift of discovery is priceless Available here, ($6 per bar).

It's up to your host whether these get served alongside post-dinner coffee, or saved for a cozy treat another day. Available here ($6.95).

The above snowflake is great if you're going to a holiday party, but rethink the shape of the cookie cutter based on the occasion. Available here ($8.95). And, here are some other legitimately awesome cookie cutters .

Super adorable. Available here ($4.95).

Bring a bottle of wine along with it and you'll really be a hero. Available here ($9.95). Or, you could DIY a whole bunch and gift them to all of your holiday party hostesses (here's how).

This triple milled soap from Crabtree & Evelyn—available here ($8)—is pretty and feminine, but pick any scent that you think your host will love.

Bring a baguette as well for a ready-to-go appetizer. Available here ($6.50).

This is not the same thing as showing up with Oreos, or the box of Do-Si-Dos that have been sitting in your pantry since June because you bought them thinking they were Tagalongs. Amaretti cookies available here ($7.95).