Charming French Inspired Hostess Gifts Shopping Guide
In this post: If you love French Country home decor, this shopping guide of French inspired hostess gifts and ‘gifts for her’ will be right up your alley.⇒
Did you ever walk into a store to buy a gift and feel completely lost?
Likewise when shopping online: you open your computer and have no idea where to start?
It’s not that there’s not enough to buy. Quite the contrary. The options are limitless. And so often you need a “hook” to get you grounded. To find a place to start you need a foundation to stand on.
Does the person love cooking? Traveling? Or do they collect anything in particular?
Or maybe there’s a culture or style they feel especially aligned to. For me, of course, it’s anything French or at the very least French-inspired. And, when in doubt, it’s a great place to start because the French are known for their style.
Today I’m sharing 36 French-inspired gifts that would make perfect hostess gifts or any ‘gift for her’.
Hostess Gifts
The holiday season brings with it many opportunities to visit with family and friends. Even with small gatherings, you can’t go empty handed, and it’s a great idea to keep a selection of hostess gifts on hand for unexpected or last-minute events that come up.
I started doing this several years ago and it’s proven to be a lifesaver! I keep 3 to 5 extra gifts in the closet for just this sort of thing. I keep them packaged but unwrapped so I know what’s there, and yet they stay in perfect condition.
The gifts in today’s shopping guide are exactly the kinds of items you can keep for just this purpose. They include delightful items for the home, whether you’ll be hostessing yourself or will be bringing a gift to your host.
Almost all of the items are under $100 and a good many are under $50. A few are even appropriate for stocking stuffers. While each would make a delightful gift on its own, below you’ll find tips for how to make the presentation extra special or how to take it up a notch by adding a coordinating item in the same theme.
You’ll notice most of these items have a wonderfully French feel to them and can be appropriate for any season!
Shopping Canvas Bags, Set of 3
Make these little totes all the more special filled with little surprises, such as a scarf peeking out.
SHOP IT HERE >
Flower Cake Knife and Pie Server
These lovely servers would be wonderful presented on their own or along with a dessert.
SHOP IT HERE >
Rustic Distressed Cake Stand
Bring a cake served on the stand or combine with the cake servers.
SHOP IT HERE >
Botanic Garden Trinket Box
This lovely box makes a wonderful gift, but to amp up the joy, include a small piece of jewelry.
SHOP IT HERE >
3-Piece Fleur de Lis Canister Set
Present the canisters in a rattan basket or dress up with a vintage kitchen towel.
SHOP IT HERE >
Metal Galvanized Wine Caddy
This one is a no-brainer. What better way to give a wine caddy than filled with a few bottles.
SHOP IT HERE >
French Veggie Garden Oven Mitts
Consider pairing these with a home-cooked dish presented in a pretty casserole.
SHOP IT HERE >
Earl Grey French Blue Tea
This gourmet tea blend in a wonderful tin would work beautifully with a charming tea cup.
SHOP IT HERE >
Artisanal Spice Blends Set of 6
The perfect match for these artisanal seasonings would be a favorite cook book.
SHOP IT HERE >
Maison d’ Hermine Apron
An apron works well with any gift for the kitchen, such as the seasonings above.
SHOP IT HERE >
Faux Cashmere Fringe Throw
I’d love to receive a cozy throw along with an exceptional book to read by the fire.
SHOP IT HERE >
Oyster Shell Ring Dish
Of course, the perfect accompaniment for a ring dish would be a pretty little ring or thin bracelet.
SHOP IT HERE >
Twisted Spiral Taper Candlesticks
These elegant tapers would be aptly suited for a cloche or domed match holder.
SHOP IT HERE >
Boxed Appetizer Plates – Set of 4
Making an appetizer? Bring it with these plates. Or consider mixing them with small pastries.
SHOP IT HERE >
Embroidered Hand Towels
For a pot-luck occasion, a vintage kitchen towel dresses up any dish you’re bringing.
SHOP IT HERE >
Blue Floral Toile Potholder
Pair these lovely hand made potholders with a set of kitchen utensils or small gadgets.
SHOP IT HERE >
Life in a French Country House
A book is terrific gift on its own, but slip in a special bookmark for an extra treat.
SHOP IT HERE >
Toile Ceramic Two-Wick Candle
A fabulous extra to include with this beautiful candle would be a vintage candle snuffer.
SHOP IT HERE >
Handmade Ceramic Planter
No doubt, a natural mate for this pretty planter would be a seasonal plant.
SHOP IT HERE >
Marche De Fleurs Framed Print
I’d wrap these sweet prints in cellophane so the images are visible, then tuck a flower in the bow.
SHOP IT HERE >
Pacific Desktop Clock
Think desk accessories when looking for a mate for this gift, or wrap it beautifully on its own.
SHOP IT HERE >
White Gardenia Candle
Why not include a handsome brass wick trimmer in with this aromatic gift?
SHOP IT HERE >
La Chatelaine Hand Cream
A pair of overnight moisturizing gloves is a natural to gift with this set.
SHOP IT HERE >
Woven Pom Pom Throw Blanket
I love to give an artful magazine or coffee table book with a throw blanket.
SHOP IT HERE >
Set of 3 Kitchen Tea Towels
These can be paired with a home-cooked dish if you’re bringing one, or a simple box of cookies.
SHOP IT HERE >
French Jacquard Kitchen Towel
The perfect accompaniment with a kitchen towel is a scented hand wash.
SHOP IT HERE >
Old Country Roses Mugs
These would work wonderfully with the tea tin or an artisanal coffee blend.
SHOP IT HERE >
Victoria Picture Frame
I always try to fill picture frames with photos the recipient will cherish.
SHOP IT HERE >
Decorative Crown Figurine
A crown looks lovely stacked on a coffee table book, so that would be my choice pairing.
SHOP IT HERE >
Pre de Provence Artisanal Soap
These yummy soaps are charming on their own or part of a basket with scented bath products.
SHOP IT HERE >
Linen Striped Placemats – Set of 4
These placemats can be rolled and tied with a bow and presented with any food item.
SHOP IT HERE >
Decorative Wall Hooks – Set of 3
I love these hooks hung in the pantry so pairing them with an apron seems utterly perfect.
SHOP IT HERE >
Vin de France Coasters – Set of 6
I’d pair coasters with a bottle of wine or try personalized cocktail napkins.
SHOP IT HERE >
Le Bain Tissue Box Cover
Of course you can supply tissues, but maybe add in moisturizing lotion, as well.
SHOP IT HERE >
French Grainsack Burlap Pillow
If the budget allows, tuck this grainsack pillow into a french market basket and tie with a bow.
SHOP IT HERE >
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
SUBSCRIBE AND GET my free guide:
“20 Ways to Update Your Home for Your Changing Lifestyle”!
The Shops
Have you visited the Designthusiasm shops? Click below to shop my favorites, my home by room, and my Amazon shop. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for quick updates.
This is a lovely list of ideas. Maybe I’ll email it to my husband 🙂
Eilis@MyHeartLivesHere
Ha ha… best reply ever!! Can you email it to my husband too… 😉 I hope you get everything you want!
What does it mean when I want everything on your list?
Beautiful ideas! Thank you for sharing!-aimee
Ha ha! I’m gonna go with… “great minds think alike”? 🙂
I love shopping your favorites and wish I could buy them All! I’m in a funk lately and reading your blog gives me so much pleasure.
Haha! I have news for you Cecelia… sometimes I do a shopping guide and then I want to go back into it and buy everything… LOL! Not. even. kidding.
Thank you so much for adding to my hostess gift ideas! I love keeping my stash up to date with a nice variety and this will help tremendously.
Am I the only one who gets a shocked reaction when we bring a hostess gift anymore? I was raised in Charleston, SC, and we learned this as a matter of habit and courtesy. In Florida, people think I’m weird, but I do it anyway! In our mentoring group, we teach this as a common courtesy for the hostess who has opened her home and prepared for everyone with love. Our younger ladies are loving it, so I can pass on your list to them, too.
Blessings,
Teresa
You are most welcome! And really, people are actually shocked? Not only is that not a thing here in the Northeast, but even my young adult kids would never go to someone’s home without bringing something. I agree to never ever show up empty handed. Ever.
Some people might opt to bring a bottle of wine or a cooked dessert, but even then, I prefer to buy a platter and bring the food served on the platter, so they have something to keep once the food is gone… 🙂