Celebrity Host and Food Gifts for the Holidays

Picking a host gift is fraught with challenges. You don’t want to bring something too large to store, or that would be an imposition for your host, like a hot dish that wasn’t requested. Instead, it’s better to bring a gift that will come in handy days later. Candles, bottles of olive oil and jars of jam are all great options that come to us by way of celebrity chefs who know their way around a dinner party.

Read on to discover what gifts Joanna Gaines, Oprah Winfrey and Ina Garten, among other famous hosts, say will make you the most popular guests after the meal. The best part? Their picks start at just $7.    

Best Celebrity-Loved Host Gifts 

• Bonne Maman “Made for You” Gift Set, $22 at bonnemaman.us
• Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Black Oak and Persimmon Candle, $7 at target.com
• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Wood Kitchen Tools, Set of 3, $20 at walmart.com
• Olio Santo Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $45 at williams-sonoma.com
• Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes, $14 at amazon.com

Bonne Maman “Made for You” Gift Set

According to Oprah’s 2025 list of favorite things, she loves bringing “jam or preserves as a hostess gift.” While you could certainly go all out and get a Bonne Maman Advent calendar for your friend, another great option is to buy the “Made for You” gift set. Inside are eight mini jars of preserves and honey, so your host can try a few flavors and figure out their favorite.

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Black Oak and Persimmon Candle 

Joanna Gaines has a line of candles at Target that would make an excellent host gift. This candle is practical, smells lovely and is small enough for people to display it on a counter or a bedside table. In fact, you might want to buy a few of these, so you’ll always have a gift handy if you get invited to a last-minute dinner party.  

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Wood Kitchen Tools, Set of 3 

Since a cook can never have enough kitchen tools, bringing a wooden spoon and spatula set will always be a welcome gift. Naturally, hosts will be even more excited if said utensils are beautiful and non-toxic. With its gorgeous gold accents and useful shapes, this set from Drew Barrymore’s kitchen line checks every box.

Olio Santo Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Buying high-quality olive oil is expensive, which is why it’s one of the most thoughtful (and useful) gifts a party-goer can bring. According to Ina Garten’s website, she uses Olio Santo because it’s “flavorful, fruity and not heavy.” If Garten recommends it, it must be good. 

Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes 

Bobby Flay finishes his steaks with smoked sea salt over other salts because of its added flavor. He uses it so often that he considers it to be a kitchen countertop staple. While he didn’t specify which brand he prefers, thousands of Amazon shoppers swear by Maldon. 

Ball Regular 32-Ounce Mason Jars

In this clip from Martha Stewart’s television show, she suggests bringing a gift that’s “fun and can be enjoyed by everyone.” Her go-to? A jar filled with all the ingredients you need to make cookies from scratch, along with a recipe card for your host to follow. If cookies aren’t your thing, you can also fill this mason jar with homemade granola, candied hazelnuts or homemade preserves.  

Giadzy by Giada De Laurentiis Pasta Variety Pack 

If your friend is an Italophile who loves to cook like Giada De Laurentiis, this 3-pack of unique pasta shapes will be much appreciated. It’s a fun and functional gift that will actually come in handy the next time your host wants to throw a pasta party.