Skip to content

Holiday Gift Guide 2018: Hostess Gifts

Wow your holiday party hostess with these unique local gifts

By Andrew Hoge and Chelsea Lin with Maggie Kerr and Alanna Wight November 21, 2018

1-lead_75

This article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the December 2018 issue, as part of our 2018 Gift GuideClick here to subscribe.

If your goal is to surprise that friend or family member who loves to entertain and always thinks of everything, you’re in luck. This collection of party-perfect paraphernalia offers an unexpected spin on the traditional hostess gift.

Those who believe that candles are passé as gifts have not discovered the collection of historical busts from French-based atelier Trudon, featuring figures such as Marie Antoinette and Alexandre Brongniart ($125). Available at Flora and Henri, Pioneer Square, 401 First Ave. S; 206.749.9698.

Help your hosts turn up the heat at their next gathering with homegrown hot sauce ($4.50/ 3-ounce bottle) from Ballard-based Bonache

Go full hygge with these Icelandic moss balls known as kúluskítur ($4 each), which are easy to maintain and ideal as a desk-top pop of greenery. Available at the Nordic Museum, Ballard, 2655 NW Market St.; 206.789.5707.

This practical, fashionable accessory made by O-Venture ($55) is equal parts bangle and keychain. Available at Hitchcock Madrona, 1422 34th Ave.; 206.838.7173.

Andrea Terrenzio’s handmade chocolates ($14/box of 12) are sweet on their own; the fact that she donates at least 5 percent of sales to feed people in need is giving us a sugar rush. Available at Sugarpill, Capitol Hill, 900 E Pine St.; 206.322.7455; and at dolcetta-sweets.com.

This metallic card case ($6.99) from New York–based Poppin is both functional and stylish; perfect for someone who mixes business with pleasure. Available at Frye Art Museum gift shop, First Hill, 704 Terry Ave.; 206.622.9250.

Complete any charcuterie board with Japanese-inspired jam from Ayako & Family ($42/set of three) in signature hexagonal jars. The hybrid and heritage plum preserves are from fruit grown at Mair Farm-Taki in Wapato.

Follow Us

Totes Secondhand

Totes Secondhand

Evergreen Goodwill teams up with Seattle artist Stevie Shao for a post-Thanksgiving push toward sustainable shopping.

Have you heard of Secondhand Sunday? It launched in 2022 as the calmer follow-up to Black Friday—a day built for browsing at secondhand stores instead of racing for deals at the mall. It also happens to land right when thrift stores are at their best. Racks are full of cold-weather staples and holiday decorations, and…

Support Local, Savor Global Right Here in Seattle

Support Local, Savor Global Right Here in Seattle

Intentionalist looks to ‘Amplify’ businesses in the Chinatown-International District

A number of iconic and longstanding restaurants in the Chinatown- International District (CID) have closed within the last year. Social entrepreneur Laura Clise is looking to stem the tide collaborating with community partners to launch Amplify, a campaign to support and sustain 35 small businesses in the historic neighborhood. The campaign kicks off in the throes of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific…

The Holly Jolly Hustle

The Holly Jolly Hustle

Seattle mag’s last-minute holiday travel gift guide

The holidays sped in on a supersonic sleigh this year! It’s not too late to find an out-of-this-world gift for those who love to wander this earth. Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, Hanukkah, Sagittarians, or yourself — these gifts will fuel wanderlust, inspire adventure, and make traveling more enjoyable.  Hydrating Facial Airplane travel plus cold…

Shop Small, Give Big

Shop Small, Give Big

The Gates Foundation’s holiday market offers gifts that give back

Save some of that Black Friday budget for gifts that matter. Shop the Giving Marketplace next weekend at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center and support meaningful causes. #BlackFriday #HolidayGiving #SeattleMag