Low Stress, High Impact Ideas
for Holiday Gathering + Gifting
People love to feel considered, but not fussed over.
Guests are much more comfortable when hospitality is thoughtful and curated, but doesn’t appear to have required enormous effort or expense on the part of the host. I’m a firm believer that having a pantry stocked with your favorite little indulgences is the key to hosting (and guesting!) with more confidence and spontaneity.
Some of my favorite items to have on hand meet a few requirements:
shelf stable,
broad range of uses,
beautiful or fun packaging,
and a personal story.
When they meet these criteria, they can double as impromptu gifts when the need arises.
I’ve put together a holiday ‘cheat sheet’ of some of my favorites below. All these items can make great snacks (and gifts) on their own, or be used to majorly up the wow factor of other simple ingredients for a full + festive spread.
Stock Up In Style:
Super special olive oil
Offbeat vinegars (never too many)
Fancy finishing salts
Nut/seed/herb seasoning blends
Preserved lemons (homemade is so easy + extra special!)
Great olives
Popcorn kernels
Spiced / candied / coated nuts
Bougie crackers / potato chips
Tinned fish
Chili crisp or Calabrian chilies
Sweet things: chocolate covered dates, halvah, meringues, little cookies, artisan chocolate
If you’re not sure where to start, I always suggest wandering the aisles of a great gourmet specialty shop or international market with a sense of curiosity. If I’ve never had it, or I don’t know what it is, I usually buy it! It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and I’ve found some of my favorite flavors that way. Do you have any beloved items from local vendors, or a childhood snack that reminds you of your hometown? This is where the personal connection piece comes in: it’s a fun talking point to share not just the item, but the story of where you tried it / bought it, how you like to use it, etc.
The same principle applies to beverages: a wine you discovered while traveling, a cocktail that’s become your signature go-to, a favorite non-alcoholic aperitif. Find a boutique bottle shop you like, and ask the staff to suggest some off-beat varietals of wine – these are often a much better value than mainstream, and you can buy by the case. Bonus points if you keep some cute wine bags around for when you need a quick host gift or a bedside welcome for a weary traveler.
Once you have a solid list of your own favorites, stock these in multiples in your home, so that if you have occasion to host or attend a last-minute gathering, you’re never stressed or empty handed. Pro tip: I have an ongoing master list of my faves in an app on my phone, so I can refer to it when I’m out shopping or easily share with friends who want to add something to their own toolkit.
Keep it simple, keep it personal, keep your focus on taking pleasure in the people you want to spend time with.