Ina Garten Says These Are the Best (and Worst) Host Gifts

We’re in peak holiday party season, and chances are you’ll head to someone’s home over the next several weeks for a festive celebration. It’s customary to bring a gift for the host, but what should it be? 

And it’s worth noting, a host gift is separate from a requested contribution to the shindig. If you’ve been asked to bring the mac and cheese for Kwaanza or Christmas, the kugel for Hanukkah, or the bubbly for New Year’s Eve, that’s to share with everyone.

With this quandary top of mind, our ears perked up when the queen of entertaining, Ina Garten’s, advice for host gifts was captured on Tiktok. On tour for her recent memoir “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” she offered her host gift do’s and don’ts. And when Ina talks, we listen.

Ina Garten’s Don’ts When Bringing a Host Gift

“I don’t bring something that the hostess or host feels they need to serve,” Garten told the audience at one of her book tour events. That means she doesn’t show up to a party with an additional course for the meal, cheese, or even a bottle of wine.

Now, if Ina arrived at our front door with anything to add to the table (like a big pot of her pasta e fagioli), we’d be thrilled because, well, she’s Ina. However, she thinks it can make for an awkward moment since the host has already thoughtfully planned a menu.

Our takeaway: Anything that might be misconstrued as a contribution to the meal—unless you were specifically asked to bring it—is a big “no” in Garten’s opinion.

Ina Garten’s Do’s When Bringing a Host Gift

“I bring things like homemade granola,” Ina advised. “I’ll bring good coffee. I’ll maybe bring chocolates.” High-quality tea is also at the top of her list.

The commonality of all those things: They can all be enjoyed at another time by the host. 

If you want to take Ina’s advice (and really, shouldn’t you?), we have some ideas for homemade food gifts that your host can enjoy in the days and weeks after the party.

• Megan’s Granola: A mixture of grains, nuts, spices, and raisins that our community says “is delish and easy to make.”
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Tell the host this sweet gift can be drizzled over apple pie or ice cream, served as a dip for fruit, or eaten straight from the jar when no one is looking.
• Manhattan Cherries: For the cocktail lover, this simple bourbon-infused fruit will be a hit. 
• Homemade Dog Treats: If the host has a pup, they’ll likely appreciate this treat they can share with a furry pal.
• Hamburger Seasoning: Mix up a batch of this patty spice blend and put it in a pretty jar with instructions on how to use it.

We think Ina would approve (and happily accept) one of these thoughtful, handmade gifts, and we expect the host of your next party will, too.