19 creative and thoughtful host gifts that go beyond the classic fruit basket

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Host gifts are never really necessary, but they are a nice way to show your appreciation that someone invited you over, be it for holidays or casual hangouts.
• Below are 19 thoughtful host gifts you can give on almost any occasion, from a useful cookbook to a beautiful candle.

A friend or family member has invited you over to spend time in their home. A dinner, a weekend stay, a holiday - maybe even just for a cup of coffee on the porch. Regardless of the occasion, it's a nice gesture to bring a small token of appreciation.

At a bare minimum, a host gift is a small but generous way to say "Thank you for having me." At its full potential, it's a way to make someone feel valued and recognized for all the time and effort they've spent to give you a welcoming and warm place to be. These host gifts are ones they'll remember and enjoy even after the party is over - once they're over the stress of holiday or dinner-party cleanup (for which your voluntary help is probably the best host gift of all).

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard if you're last-minute shopping for an invite you just received.

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.