Gift IdeasGift ideas for a host
When you are invited to someone's home, a small gift says thank you for the trouble they took. It should be something they can enjoy later, not something that makes work during the party.
A box of their favourite sweets
Find out the exact shop and the exact sweet. Precision is the gift.
A potted plant
Pick a hardy one that survives missed waterings: money plant, snake plant or jade.
A bunch of fresh flowers
Ask the florist what came in today. Fresh and simple beats large and tired.
A bar of fine chocolate or a small chocolate box
A safe choice when you do not know someone well.
A set of diyas or scented candles
Hand-painted clay diyas suit the season and support a local potter.
A jar of homemade pickle, jam or laddus
Label it with the date and what is inside. Homemade food carries your time in it.
A homemade cake or batch of cookies
Bake their favourite flavour and pack it in a tin they can keep.
A plum cake or homemade sweets
The traditional Christmas gift to neighbours and friends.
A doormat, name plate or set of wind chimes
Small things that make a new house feel finished.
A pack of dry fruits
Keeps for weeks, suits every age, and nobody has to guess a size.
A set of bath towels
Thick, plain and in pairs.
A tea or coffee set
For a home that loves guests.
A wall clock or table lamp
Simple designs suit more homes. Note that some people consider a clock an unlucky gift.
A toolkit for the house
Every new home needs a hammer, a screwdriver set and a measuring tape.
A hamper of snacks and tea
Build it yourself in a reusable basket. Choose things the person actually eats.
Dates and dry fruits in a decorated box
A traditional gift when visiting on Eid.
A fruit basket
Seasonal fruit, well arranged. A good gift for elders and for visits to the unwell.
A set of storage jars
A new kitchen never has enough.
A dinner set or a set of glasses
Plain white or clear glass fits any home.
Bed linen in plain colours
Check the bed size. Good cotton in a quiet colour is always used.
A brass or silver item for the puja room
A diya, a bell or a small plate. Only when you know the family's faith and practice.
No idea matches these choices. Set one of the boxes back to "Any".
Your shortlist
How to choose for a host
- Sweets, fruit, a plant or flowers in a pot are always suitable.
- Do not expect a food gift to be served that evening. The menu is already planned.
- If you know the host does not drink, do not bring alcohol.
About the spending levels
This site does not quote prices, because prices change with the city, the shop and the year. Each idea is marked with one of four levels instead:
- Token: A small gesture: the cost of a snack or a few cups of tea.
- Modest: An everyday gift for friends and family.
- Generous: A special gift for someone close or a big occasion.
- Grand: A once-in-years gift, often given by a family together.
Questions people ask
What is a good gift for a host?
Start from what the person does every day and what they would not buy for themselves. On this page, "A box of their favourite sweets" and "A set of bath towels" are two ideas that suit most people.
What if I have very little to spend?
Choose the Token level in the filter. Handmade and personal gifts, such as a jar of homemade pickle, jam or laddus, cost little and are often the ones remembered.
Gifts for other people
Guides
- Shagun: giving moneyThe envelope, the extra rupee and how to decide the amount.
- Gifting etiquetteGiving, receiving, regifting and gifts to avoid.
- Return giftsIdeas for birthdays, weddings, pujas and housewarmings.
- Gift wrappingWrap a box neatly, or wrap without paper at all.
- Gift messagesShort lines to write on a tag or card, to copy.
- Secret Santa name drawerPair everyone for a gift exchange on one phone.