The Good Design Journal
Christmas Host Gifts They'll Enjoy After You've Gone Home
You offer dessert instead. Also covered.
Which is lovely, except you know your host has spent the better part of December planning Christmas lunch, and turning up empty-handed seems a little unfair.
Of course, arriving with an unexpected pavlova could create an entirely different problem. The fridge has been strategically packed, there's already dessert for fourteen, and nobody has accounted for another large plate of meringue.
Perhaps the answer is a Christmas present that's just for the person hosting.
One they can put aside while everyone's arriving, then enjoy whenever they please. No rearranging the menu required.
We've found a few lovely possibilities, depending on who's invited you over and how well you know them.
They've Been Cooking Since Breakfast
You know someone who genuinely enjoys cooking.
They'll happily spend an afternoon making fresh pasta, and there's probably a particular olive oil they insist on using for certain dishes.
Christmas lunch, however, is quite an undertaking, even for someone who loves being in the kitchen.
If you're buying for a keen cook, consider the equipment they enjoy using throughout the year. A present they'll appreciate next time they're preparing dinner is a lovely way to acknowledge all the work they've done for this one.
DESIGNSTUFF RUND Curve Trivet Gift Set, Sand
There's a point during cooking when a hot dish comes out of the oven and suddenly every available section of the bench appears to be occupied.
Someone reaches for a folded tea towel. Someone else begins moving plates.A decent trivet would be quite useful here.
The DESIGNSTUFF RUND Curve Trivet Gift Set includes two silicone trivets with softly curved outlines and a substantial, matte finish.
The larger measures 22.4cm long, providing a protective surface for bigger pots and oven dishes. Its smaller companion measures 18.5cm, making it useful beneath a saucepan or serving bowl.
Both have non-slip surfaces and are made from thick, heat-resistant silicone, so they can be used regularly without requiring special care.
We particularly like how the two shapes nest together. When they're not needed, the smaller trivet sits inside the larger one, creating an interesting arrangement on the benchtop.
It's a practical gift for someone who enjoys cooking, especially if you've noticed they're rather particular about their kitchen accessories.
And unlike the surprise pavlova, there's no immediate expectation that they'll find somewhere to put it.
DESIGNSTUFF RUND Bottle for Olive Oil, Glass/Silicone, 700mL, Fern
If you've ever spent five minutes in someone's kitchen while they explained why one olive oil is for cooking and another is strictly for finishing, you'll know exactly who this is for.
The DESIGNSTUFF RUND Olive Oil Bottle holds 700mL, with a cylindrical glass body and a soft silicone sleeve around its lower section.
That sleeve provides additional grip, particularly useful when your hands are a little oily from preparing food. It also helps the bottle sit securely on the bench.
At the top, a precision dripper spout allows for controlled pouring, whether you're measuring oil into a pan or finishing a salad.
The Fern colour gives the bottle a distinctive appearance, with the silicone introducing a different material against the clear glass.
It's a lovely present for someone who enjoys cooking with good ingredients and prefers to keep frequently used products out on the benchtop.
We'd be inclined to leave it wrapped until the host has finished today's cooking marathon. They've probably made quite enough decisions about olive oil already.
For the Host Who Has Opinions About Serving Pieces
Some people are perfectly happy putting a salad on the table in the bowl it was mixed in.
Others have a particular serving bowl for the occasion, and they've already decided which utensils they'll use with it.
You probably know which type of host you're visiting.
For someone who enjoys collecting interesting tableware, a gift with an unusual shape can be particularly enjoyable.
Especially when it's inspired by a lobster.
MAISON BALZAC Cloud Serving Spoons, Ivory (Set of 2)
There are serving spoons, and then there are serving spoons modelled after lobster claws.
MAISON BALZAC's Cloud Serving Spoons belong firmly in the latter category.
The Australian brand has taken inspiration from the curved shape of a lobster's claws, creating a pair of utensils that look quite different from conventional salad servers.
Each measures approximately 29cm long, with a broad, curved end that's useful for lifting and serving food.
They're made from bamboo PLA, a lightweight, food-safe material with a soft matte finish. The Ivory colour gives the unusual shape plenty of definition without competing with colourful serving dishes.
The spoons are suitable for indoor and outdoor dining, making them a particularly enjoyable addition to summer lunches.
They're also dishwasher safe on the top rack, although MAISON BALZAC recommends gentle handwashing to care for the material.
If your host enjoys tableware with a little personality, these could be a rather wonderful present.
There's something amusing about the lobster-claw inspiration, although the curved shape is also genuinely useful for serving.
And if the recipient happens to bring them out at your next lunch together, you'll have a very good reason to admire them.
For Someone You Know Well Enough to Spoil
Sometimes the person hosting Christmas is someone you're particularly close to.
You've spent plenty of time in their home, you've exchanged presents before, and you probably have a good idea of what they enjoy.
That gives you a little more freedom when choosing a Christmas host gift.
You might know which fragrances they prefer or which bath and body products they buy for themselves.
It's useful knowledge, particularly when you're considering something more personal than a kitchen accessory.
ADDITION STUDIO Hand Wash & Hand Moisturiser Discovery Gift Set
If your host appreciates beautifully presented bath and body products, ADDITION STUDIO's Discovery Gift Set is a lovely way to thank them.
The set includes a hand wash and matching hand moisturiser, both featuring the brand's distinctive fragrance.
The hand wash contains Australian native ingredients including Kakadu plum and snowflower, while the moisturiser includes nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and avocado oil.
Cedarwood and frankincense oils contribute to the fragrance, giving the products a distinctive scent.
They're presented together as a gift set, making this a more substantial present than a single bottle of hand wash.
It's the sort of gift we'd reserve for someone whose preferences we know reasonably well. Fragrance can be personal, and there's no reason to take a wild guess simply because someone has invited you to lunch.
The lovely part is that the recipient can take their time enjoying it.
There'll be plenty happening on Christmas Day already. This present can wait until the house is theirs again.
Christmas Host Gift FAQs
Should you bring a present when someone invites you over for Christmas?
It's a lovely gesture, particularly when someone has spent considerable time organising Christmas lunch or dinner.
A small host gift can be a way to thank them for the invitation, although there's no obligation to bring one.If you're already contributing food or drinks, you may decide that's enough.
Consider your relationship with the host and what would be appropriate for the occasion.
What if the host says not to bring anything?
First, work out whether they're talking about food or presents.
If they've said the meal is covered, a small personal gift may still be welcome. You can let them know it's for them to enjoy later, without expecting them to open or use it immediately.
If they've specifically requested no gifts, respect their wishes.
A warm thank-you and an offer to help during the day are perfectly appropriate.
What can you bring to Christmas lunch instead of food or wine?
Consider a present that reflects the host's interests.
Someone who enjoys cooking might appreciate a good set of trivets, while a friend who collects unusual tableware could enjoy an interesting pair of serving spoons.
If you know the recipient particularly well, a personal gift may also be appropriate.
Choose something they can enjoy at another time, especially if you know the Christmas menu is already organised.
How much should you spend on a Christmas host gift?
There's no particular amount you need to spend.
A modest present can be appropriate when you're visiting an acquaintance, while a more substantial gift might suit a close friend or family member.
Consider what you're comfortable spending and whether you're already contributing to the meal.
The present doesn't need to reflect how elaborate the Christmas lunch will be.
Should a Christmas host gift be opened immediately?
There's no need.
You can give it to the host when you arrive and let them know it's something to enjoy later.
They may prefer to open it after everyone has left, particularly if they're busy preparing food or welcoming guests.
And if you happen to be giving someone a gift that involves serving food, there's no reason to suggest they use it during the meal they've already planned.
What if you don't know your Christmas host very well?
You don't need to buy a personal present for someone whose preferences you don't know.
A modest gift may be appropriate, or you could ask the person who invited you whether there's something useful you can contribute.
If you're unfamiliar with the host's tastes, be cautious about fragrance-based products and larger decorative pieces.
A card thanking them for their hospitality is also a thoughtful option.
Let Them Enjoy Their Christmas Present Later
By the time Christmas lunch is over, your host has probably spent hours on their feet.
They've welcomed everyone into their home, kept the meal moving and somehow found room in the fridge for the leftovers.
Eventually, the guests will leave. The kitchen will be theirs again, and they'll finally have a moment to sit down.
That's a lovely time to have a present waiting.
Something chosen with their interests in mind, with no expectation that they make room for it during Christmas lunch.
And you can head home knowing you haven't commandeered a single oven shelf.
