Home

11 Hostess Gifts From the Heart, Not the Mall

Finding a unique hostess gift can feel overwhelming when there’s so much to do during the holidays. This year, skip the mad rush to the mall. To thank your friends and family who welcome you into their homes, consider bringing a thoughtful, edible gift.

Here are 11 homemade food gift ideas for hostesses, neighbors, co-workers, and beyond.

1. Mini Donuts

If your search for a meaningful hostess gift ends in front of a gift card display, consider showing your appreciation with homemade donuts. And not just any donuts—make tender, cake donuts. Need a baked donut recipe? Try one of these classic recipes like chocolate, vanilla, and apple cider donuts baked in a nonstick donut pan. You’ll make your hostess feel a little extra special without maxing out your holiday budget.

 

Homemade Donuts in Gift Boxes
Baked Apple Cider Donuts Baked in a Donut Pan

 

2. Holiday Breads

Turn your grandma’s famous banana bread or pumpkin bread into holiday gifts your family and friends love by using a mini loaf pan instead of a traditional bread pan. It’s also helpful when giving baked treats to friends and family who need allergy-free treats. Use rustic brown boxes and tags to wrap the treats.

 

homemade breads in a mini loaf pan
Mini Blueberry Streusel Loaves Baked in a Mini Loaf Pan

 

3. Brownie Cups

Easily turn basic brownies into an elaborate dessert. Bake brownies in a brownie pan, then use a square boat press to create brownie cups. You can top the brownies with anything you want, like candies or berries. Let your imagination run wild!

 

brownie cups
Brownie Cups Made With a Boat Press

 

4. Mini Bundt Cakes

Do you have more than one holiday party to attend? Multiple family parties in one day? A mini cake pan lets you bake six small cakes at once. Customize cakes with a special glaze, sprinkles, or powdered sugar. The Mini Cake Gift-Making Set includes everything you need to turn personal cakes into gifts.

 

Mini Bundt Cakes by a Mini Fluted Cake Pan
Mini Classic Vanilla Bundt Cakes Baked in a Mini Fluted Cake Pan

 

5. Mini Pies

Give your host or hostess a tiny, decadent pie wrapped in a decorated box. Create seasonal pie favorites like apple, pumpkin, pecan, or cranberry. There’s no need to go to multiple stores or buy all your gift wrapping supplies separately. Find everything you need to beautifully package six gifts. The set includes six boxes with liners, precut twine, and gift tags.

 

Mini Pies in Gift Boxes With a Mini Pie Pan
Mini Apple Pies Baked in a Mini Pie Pan Set

 

6. Cookie Dough Ornaments

Make a decoration for your host’s home or Christmas tree. All you need is a salt dough recipe, cookie cutters, paint markers, and glitter to make unique DIY ornaments

Here’s another gift idea for salt dough—press a child’s hand or a pet’s paw into the dough for a more personal gift.

 

Mini Pies in Gift Boxes With a Mini Pie Pan
Salt Dough Ornaments Baked in Christmas Cookie Cutters

 

7. Layered Cookie Mix

This spin on the gift in a jar gives your hostess a tasty recipe in a practical mixing bowl. Layer all the dry ingredients of your favorite cookies—or try this cookie mix recipe.

 

Cookie Mix in a Small Batter Bowl
Celebration Cookie Layer Mix in a Small Batter Bowl

 

8. Cocoa mix in a jar

Start with a layer of hot cocoa mix, then add your host’s favorites toppings. Crushed peppermints, chocolate chips, and marshmallows make yummy cocoa toppings. Pack the cocoa in a reusable BPA-free jar that the recipient can use in their day-to-day for lunches and snacks.

 

Cookie Mix in a Small Batter Bowl
Hot Cocoa Mix in a Make & Take Mason Jar

 

9. Cookie Gift Ideas

When done with a little flair, small gestures can be very meaningful. Look at basic sugar cookies, for example. It takes almost no time to bake them, but they make a wonderful gift for a hostess or a neighbor. This cookie gift set has everything you need to make big batches of cookies in a variety of shapes thanks to the rolling cookie cutter.

 

cookie lover gift set
Cookie Lover Gift Set

 

10. Homemade Chocolate

Beautiful chocolates nestled in a brightly colored liner are sure to make your hostess’ day happier. A chocolate mold lets you put your own personal spin on this gift. You can dream up tons of creative candy creations. Layer white and dark chocolate melts. Try mint candy melts or caramel-flavored melts—there are so many possibilities!

Just melt chocolate, pour it into the wells, and pop it in the fridge. It’s that easy.

 

Fluted Chocolate Mold
Fluted Chocolate Mold

 

11. Whisk Gift Idea

When you need a last-minute gift, fill a whisk with chocolate kisses and tie it with a bow. For a finishing touch, add a tag that says, “We whisk you a merry kiss-mas!”

 

Candy-filled Whisk
Stainless Steel Whisk

 


Need help with your holiday DIY gifts? Pampered Chef’s Bake to Gift Collection includes beautiful, useful tools, and easy recipe videos you can use to craft gorgeous baked goods to give as gifts—creating sweet traditions along the way.


Read More Stories Like This:

This post has been updated since it was originally published in October 2017.


7 Responses to 11 Hostess Gifts From the Heart, Not the Mall

  1. Judith L Maxwell October 16, 2017 at 11:56 am #

    Thank you to the Pampered Chef Bakers! Every idea is a home run in my book. I’m new at this and the baking and gifting is my favorite part of my new job, post retirement! I love to cook and with only my husband and I the opportunities to show off are limited! Now I” show off” for a living!

  2. Sandy Rysdam November 3, 2017 at 7:09 pm #

    Great ideas generated from great new Pampered Chef products!!!

  3. Marilyn Taylor November 13, 2017 at 4:37 pm #

    I love your ideas for the hostess gift…what a great way to present something as you are arriving to do a show for her/him.

  4. Andrea Stanley October 20, 2018 at 2:28 pm #

    Great ideas❤️

  5. Linda December 3, 2018 at 3:48 pm #

    Great ideas! I made the pumpkin spice mini cakes and mini fruitcake last year. Every loved them especially in the cute little boxes. Making more this year. Think I’m getting myself the big girl bundt pan for my Christmas pudding and party fruitcake

  6. Missy December 12, 2019 at 5:22 pm #

    Thank you so much for these ideas. Not only are they great host ideas, but great ideas when you need to take something to a party.

  7. Lea December 2, 2021 at 2:05 pm #

    Thank you for the ideas and recipes.

Leave a Reply