How to Gift, and Olive-Oil Granola.

thoughtful gifts when you're a guest (mostly under $30 ideas)

Last week, I shared this article about how to be a thoughtful host and create a cozy, comfortable guest room for friends. Just a few weeks ago (technically, last year), I posted a Gift Guide focused on Host(ess) Gifts. There’s definitely a theme here, and I think I’m finally settling into the kind of content you can expect on Lazy-Fancy. Yes, it’s about food—but mostly, it’s about the Art of Entertaining. Each article will revolve around Entertaining (and almost always accompanied by a recipe), peppered in with city-travel guides (by popular demand).

What inspired me to start cooking, launch a Supper Club, become a chef, transition into catering, and eventually build an event design business? An unrelenting appreciation and excitement for the magic of hospitality: the food, the wine, the cocktails, the décor, the service, and—most importantly—the atmosphere a host creates.

So to bring us back to today’s post: How to Gift when you’re invited into someone’s home—whether it’s for cocktails, a dinner party, game night, or a weekend stay—it’s customary (and kind!) to offer to bring something. Most hosts will either say, “Bring a bottle of wine!” or “Grab some tequila!” And occasionally, you’ll hear “Oh, don’t bring anything!” (my usual response) but there are unexpected and inexpensive gifts you can bring to that person.

If the ask is for wine or cocktails, take it a step further. If it’s wine, ask about the menu, then visit your local wine shop and find something in your price range that pairs well with the food. If it’s a spirit, skip the simple bottle—make it a cocktail.

My recommendation? Go for a classic cocktail that can be batched ahead of time. Here is an article I wrote last year on batched cocktails with Chopin. These are easy to store in the fridge or freezer for later use. If classic, spirit-forward drinks don’t match your host’s vibe (or not your drink of choice), create a “cocktail kit” instead. For example, a Paloma kit could include: a bottle of tequila with fresh grapefruit juice, high-quality seltzer, pre-sliced lime wheels and jalapeños, and—if you really want to win—ice (because there’s never enough). This makes things effortless for the host. All you need to do is ask, “Where’s the bar?” and set up your station.

If drinks aren’t requested, what else can you bring to show your gratitude? My two cents: don’t show up with an uninvited dessert. Most of us don’t want extras when it comes decadent treats hanging around, so they often end up in the trash. Instead, here are a few thoughtful, (mostly under-$30) ideas: