Hostess Gifts Under $25: Easy, Useful Ideas for the Holidays

The best hostess gifts under $25 are small, useful and easy to carry in: a patterned Turkish serving tray ($12 to $17), an apothecary jar candle ($20), a Swedish tea towel ($16), or a simple pairing like a mini Turkish bowl with a Christmas dishcloth ($13). Every idea below is something the host can use the next morning, not just look at.

We are a small family shop in Fairfield, Connecticut. Here is a quick list, then a bit more about each one.

Hostess gifts under $25 at a glance

1. A small Turkish serving tray ($12)

Our Turkish serving trays are printed tin trays made in Istanbul, in bold patterns like Peacock, Alara and Beste. The small tray is 6.25" × 9.75", just right for a cup of tea, a candle, rings by the sink or keys by the door. It is a gift that can stay on display all year.

Good to know: the trays are dishwasher safe and decorative. They are not meant for direct contact with food, so suggest using them for drinks, candles and everyday pieces, or putting food on a plate first.

2. A large or round tray ($17)

For a bigger "thank you", the large tray (8.5" × 12.5") holds two drinks or a small teapot, and the round tray (11.5" across) is a classic shape for Turkish tea glasses or a coffee table. Both are $17, still well under budget.

3. An apothecary jar candle ($20)

A candle is the classic hostess gift for a reason. Our apothecary jar candles are hand-poured in England, in scents such as Christmas Star, Fireside Nights, Pomegranate and Plum, and English Rose and Oud. For the holidays, Christmas Star and Fireside Nights are the easy picks.

4. A Swedish tea towel ($16)

A Jangneus tea towel (19" × 30") is a gift people actually use. The prints are designed in Sweden, from birds and sheep to herbs and dogs, so you can match the towel to the host. Fold it around a wooden spoon or a recipe card and you are done.

5. A leaf ceramic wax melter ($20)

If your host loves candles, a ceramic wax melter is a nice change. Place a wax melt in the top dish and an unscented tealight underneath. Add a wax melt duo ($6.50) and the gift comes to $26.50, just over the budget, but ready to use the same evening.

6. Two small things together ($13 to $18.50)

• Mini Turkish bowl + Christmas dishcloth ($13): a mini bowl (3.75" across) for rings or keys, with a Christmas Swedish dishcloth folded inside.
• Small tray + wax melt duo ($18.50): a small tray with one wax melt duo sitting on top. Each duo gives up to 40 hours of fragrance.
• Two Swedish dishcloths + mini bowl ($20): practical, colorful and easy to wrap.

If you can stretch to $30

Our kitchen gift sets ($30) pair one tea towel with two matching Swedish dishcloths, already coordinated, so there is nothing to choose.

Shipping: US orders over $49 ship free, and smaller orders ship for a $4.95 flat rate in 3 to 5 business days. Order by December 17 for delivery before Christmas.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good hostess gift under $25?

Something useful the host can enjoy after the party: a small Turkish serving tray ($12), an apothecary jar candle ($20), a Swedish tea towel ($16) or a small pairing like a mini bowl and a Christmas dishcloth ($13).

Is a candle a good hostess gift?

Yes. A candle is easy to carry, easy to wrap and suits almost any home. Our apothecary jar candles are $20 and hand-poured in England.

Can you serve food on a Turkish tin tray?

Not directly. Our trays are decorative and not food safe, so use them for drinks, candles and everyday pieces, or place food on a plate first. They are dishwasher safe.

When should I order for Christmas?

Order by December 17 for delivery before Christmas. US orders over $49 ship free.