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Cool Gifts for the Holiday Host

The holidays are almost here, and with parties and family gatherings filling many a November and December weekend, you may be scrambling to find affordable, interesting gifts for your host. For starters, you can’t go wrong with consumables. There’s nothing like a great bottle of wine or a delectable bar of dark chocolate. But if you’re looking for something in the realm of decor and useful gadgets, today’s post is for you! Check out the cool gifts that follow…when you’re done shopping for your holiday host, you just might be tempted to pick up a few of these for yourself!

Modern Gifts from CB2

With an array of modern gifts at budget-friendly prices, CB2 is a design lover’s dream! Here are some of our favorite host and hostess gift finds… Let’s get started with the Divide Marble Server, which combines a two-toned stone surface with a shiny strip of copper. Perfect for those who love a “mixed materials” look!

Marble server from CB2

Another fun gift idea for cooks is this Marble Salt Cellar, priced at a very affordable $17.95! It’s sleek. It’s functional. And if your host isn’t a foodie, it can also be used to hold jewelry and other small items:

Marble salt cellar from CB2

If your host is a modern design enthusiast, consider the Mood White Teapot, which has an retro vibe that celebrates simple forms and bold color combinations. Designed by Gere Kavanaugh, this piece is a true collector’s item. Learn more about the renowned designer here.

Modern teapot designed by Gere Kavanaugh

There’s nothing like a pineapple to inspire a smile in the middle of a chilly season! This Colada Pineapple Vase can also be used as a planter, as shown below. Festive and perfectly-on trend! Did we mention that the piece is only $5.95?!

Pineapple vase from CB2

For a truly unique gift idea that’s as practical as it is stylish, check out this Set of 4 Drink Rocks, made from soapstone and marble. A geo alternative to ice, although your host might be tempted to display these items as objets d’art on a bookshelf!

Drink rocks from CB2

If you’re looking to go the consumable route, you’ll love the modern design of these Herbivore bath products. Soaps, bath salts and lip balms make lovely thank-you gifts. Who would say no to a bath product displaying the word “calm” in the middle of the hectic holidays?!

Herbivore bath and body products in modern packaging

Beautiful Decor from Anthropologie

Anthropologie offers a lovely array of gift ideas with feminine flair. While the brand features many high-end finds, the items below are definitely in the affordable realm. For starters, these Color-Cut Cake Stands have a vintage feel. Crafted from glass, they’re a true bargain at $12 and $24, depending on the size. While the online selection is quickly running out, check your local Anthropologie for additional sizes and colors.

Glass cake stand from Anthropologie

A candle is the perfect way to celebrate the cozy festivity of the holidays. These gorgeously packaged Voluspa Limited Edition Japonica Candle Tins are available in a range of scents. If you’re looking to go upscale in the candle realm, check out our recent post on high-end candle options.

Beautifully packaged Voluspa candles

Thank your hostess with a lovely terracotta Shade Tree Garden Pot. And since the price ranges from $14-$16, you’ll have plenty of money left to fill it with a succulent or a topiary!

Garden pots from Anthropologie

Celebrate floral style with a Windswell Vase, available in green, blue and white. While the online selection appears to be on hold until February of 2016, perhaps your local Anthropologie will have it in stock. If not, use this lovely piece as a spring hostess gift idea!

Ceramic vases from Anthropologie

For a floral piece that is currently in stock online, check out these Windswell Pie Servers, which (like the vases above) are designed by Carolina Silva of Dorotea Ceramics:

Pie servers from Anthropologie

Moving into more modern territory, we turn to a practical gift solution: Wood-topped Canisters, available in red and grey. Ideal for the stylish foodie!

Modern canisters from Anthropologie

Wonderfully sculptural, the copper-plated Starflare Taper Holder is anything but frilly, and it’s perfect for the couple who loves design. Top it off with a taper, and you’re set! And at the affordable price of $16, you can pick up two of these to create a set:

Sculptural candle holder from Anthropologie

Foodie Finds from Williams-Sonoma

We end today’s post with a collection of foodie-fabulous finds from Williams-Sonoma. Let’s start with the consumables! Gift your host with a special salt selection, like this Jacobsen Salt Co. Italian White Truffle Salt. It’s an unexpected yet useful find for those who love to cook and entertain. Pair it with the CB2 salt cellar near the top of the post for a design-fabulous touch.

Foodie salts from Williams-Sonoma

Who doesn’t love a specialty balsamic vinegar! It can transform a salad into a culinary delight. Try something unusual, like the Williams-Sonoma Balsamic Vinegar in Morello Cherry, pictured in the vignette below:

Specialty balsamic vinegars from Williams-Sonoma

Moving onto useful tools, gadgets and serveware, this Marble Citrus Reamer celebrates one of today’s most popular materials while offering a useful product for foodies:

Marble citrus reamer from Williams-Sonoma

And for another touch of marble, go with a trivet (shown under the spoon rest in the next image), which displays food with elegant, clean-lined simplicity:

Modern marble trivet

Your host is likely to have a cheese grater, but these Microplane Elite Paddle Graters beautifully blend form and function. Plus, you can choose a specialty model, such as the ribbon grater, perfect for shaving chocolate and coconut!

Cheese graters from Williams-Sonoma

Does your giftee love iced coffee? This Zoku Iced Coffee Maker makes preparing chilled coffee drinks a snap! Simply pour the brewed coffee into this pre-chilled container and place it in the insulated sleeve. Then enjoy your drink on the go. Tempted to purchase one of these for yourself?!

Iced coffee maker from Williams-Sonoma

And if your foodie host enjoys taking garnished drinks to the next level, these Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks will do the trick! Perfect for holiday entertaining:

Stainless steel cocktail picks

We hope today’s post has given you plenty of design-fabulous host and hostess gift ideas. We at Decoist wish you a stylish start to your Holiday Season!

Kate Simmons

Kate Simmons is a freelance writer and design blogger with a love of all things decor. She spent her childhood writing stories and working on interior design-themed DIY projects. Kate’s published writing reflects her special interest in how design has changed through the decades. Her blog Mirror80 ( http://mirror80.com/) explores the fashion and [...]

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