Flowers! I love to get them, you can't go wrong with flowers.

A bottle of wine. Merlot(red) or Pinot Grigio(white). When you present it, say "You don't have to serve this today." But they probably will.

Ever since my DD has been having Thanksgiving and Christmas at her house, I buy her a hostess gift. Last year it was a gift certificate for Grinders. They had a little bear that the card fit into. This year it's from a little specialty shop I recently found. Other years I've gotten her cute candles or 'different' s&p shakers. Once I made her her favorite pie. It's one of the most fun gifts to buy for all year long.

Shirley

If you do flowers, make sure they like them. Flowers are banned from my home- they are instant migraines for me. Especially irises, eucalyptus, and orchids.

Maybe some nice UNSCENTED flowers- daises or something, LOL

Depends....If the host/hostess drink wine...it's usually a bottle they wouldn't buy for themselves. If one is a wine drinker and the other is a liquor/beer lover; I buy a bottle of their favorite liquor or a speciality beer/ale to go along with the wine.

If they are not drinkers; then it's a box of See's or Ethel M candy.

I do flowers if I know the person is okay with them. I have given a favorite parfum to a single female hostess...because I knew what she liked and would never buy for herself!

I have always given the hosts 2 knives-a paring & a tomato knife-from our PA Dutch store. All comment on how great they are-and they use them daily in lieu of all the others they own! They are a one piece silver knife..love them! I've given the complete 7 pc set for wedding gifts also.
If I know their home colors-I have given placemats & napkins or some kind of unique, decorative basket with my homemade salad dressings in it.

I like to give a big bag of Bazzini pistachios. Everyone loves them.

I generally host the Thanksgiving feast for our family and I've been given various Thanksgiving themed table-top decorations throughout the years. This year, in anticipation, I've already received some cute resin pilgrims and some cute pumpkin salt and pepper shakers!

I have given, wine, Chocolates, kitchen towels, gift cards, candles, flowers, Lotion, and homemade goodies. It really depends on who it is. That's how I choose the right gift.

Judy

Sharon, you can come visit me anytime! I never seem to have any good paring knives in the kitchen. :-)

Holiday parties get wine or chocolates. Out of town visits to friends or family get flowers. Other visits get a situation/person appropriate gift.

For example; Milly, the founder of our book group of ten gals throws an anniversary book themed dinner party every January with games and serious libations. We are coming up on our 11th year together!

Milly pours a ton of thought and money into this celebration and we all have the best time ever. This is one hostess gift I truly look forward buying. Last year I bought her a set of gorgeous silver bookmarks from Brighton. Another year I gave her a year membership card for Barnes & Noble. Other years something from Bath & Bodyworks, a tea gift basket or a plant. Whatever it is I get her, it never seems like enough for all she does.

Jodi-

I always find it varies. Sometimes the gift is something to contribute to the occasion. I usually feel it should be something special for the people hosting so I look for something they like, wine/champagne, nuts/candy, special bath soaps that the person likes (normally applies only to females... if a guy, power tools are almost universally satisfactory!) etc. I avoid trinkets that contribute to the junk collection we all seem to have. Consumables are always good for this instance in my opinion.

I think I am the only person who would say, please do NOT bring me a hostess gift.

I have salt & pepper shakers, thank you; I will toss the cutesy Thanksgiving themed stuff in a heartbeat.

I would rather you didn't contribute to the occasion in terms of food unless you ASK me. I bought wine, thank you, and I've crafted the desserts, etc.

All sorts of people brought extra desserts to my daughter's confimration party, and there physically wasn't room. I already had cake, cookies, and fruit. All the other desserts just diluted the impact of the foods I had already prepared.

Just show up.

The way you "pay me back" for my hospitality is NOT with a gift.

You "pay me back" by reciprocating the invitation. And by really enjoying yourself at my party.

I love to bring wine. I scout for bargains all year, so by the time December rolls around (the party month!) my wine rack overfloweth. (Thank heavens I buy much more than I drink.)