If you’ve been invited to a party at a lake house, it’s time to start thinking about small hostess gift ideas! While showing up with a present may not be mandatory, it’s a polite gesture that shows you care. After all, hosting a soirée is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work!
Socializing with friends, family, and neighbors is part of what makes lakeside living so rewarding. Having a blast on the water, exploring the local flora and fauna, grilling good food with good company, and sharing stories around outdoor patio fire pits—it doesn’t get any better than that! The perfect present naturally elevates the celebratory mood.
Here are seven gifts for party hosts who deserve the most!
1. Practical Essentials
Sometimes the best gifts are necessities. If you’re not sure what to get, you can be sure they’ll be grateful for high-quality lake house accessories, such as a flashlight, surge protector, wall outlet extender, or emergency tool.
Sure, they’re not the most glamorous items, but these practical hostess gifts are so thoughtful and useful. As realtors and lake homeowners ourselves, we can’t stress enough the importance of maintaining a well-stocked abode.
2. Wall Art
Lake house wall art is one of the best gifts for party hosts who take pride in their decor. And, every time they see your gift, they’ll be reminded of you. While each lake house is unique, there are some design styles that work especially well. Farmhouse, modern rustic, and beach-style home decor all beautifully complement lake homes. Shop our expert-curated collections to find a piece that fits the host’s style.
3. Boating Accessories
As you ponder small hostess gift ideas, don’t just think about the house itself. The major draw of living in a lake house is the lake, after all! If the host is also a captain, you could get them boating equipment, like a small anchor, waterproof shoulder bag, or canvas tote. Spare beach towels and life jackets are also always welcome.
4. Kitchen Gadgets
Shopping for gifts for party hosts who love cooking? Modern kitchenware, appliances, and other essentials are sure to please the chef in your life. Some items that are perfect for dinner parties include a corkscrew (preferably paired with a nice bottle of wine!), a vegetable cutter, silverware, dinner plates, and hand towels.
If cocktails are on the menu, an ice cube maker is one of the most practical hostess gifts. Being able to make a batch of ice in less than 10 minutes means everyone’s able to enjoy refreshing, ice-cold cocktails whenever the mood strikes. Bring some spirits, mixers, and glassware, and show up with a ready-to-go libation station!
5. Bug Zappers
Fantastic gifts for party hosts who enjoy entertaining on the deck or patio, bug zappers are often-overlooked essentials that go a long way in making for a more pleasant evening. Pesky pests can put a major damper on an outdoor get-together. A few bug zappers are such thoughtful small hostess gift ideas, as they’ll make sure everyone is able to focus on having a great time, not swatting and scratching!
6. A Packed Cooler
If you’re bringing beverages anyway, why not turn them into a gift? A high-quality cooler gets so much use in a lake setting. It’s one of the gifts for party hosts because they’ll be able to provide ice-cold refreshments for guests congregating outside. After the party has come and gone, they’ll use their cooler for picnics, boat trips, and, of course, more parties!
7. Lake Toys
Pool floaties, paddle boards, and other lake water toys are a blast for all ages. They’re especially perfect when you’re attending a family-friendly event that involves swimming—the kiddos will be thrilled! That said, adults enjoy leisurely lounging on a scenic lake, too.
Explore Our Expert-Curated Collections
These ideas are a great starting point, but we have so many other high-quality gifts for party hosts, so shop around! Lake House Must Haves is a company founded and run by a wife and husband team who are realtors and lake homeowners ourselves. Our inventory is hand-chosen to ensure that everything meets our standards. We only stock products we would use ourselves.
For more small hostess gift ideas, keep reading our lake house blog, or feel free to get in touch for a personalized suggestion. Treat your favorite host to something special, and enjoy an unforgettable celebration!