Collection of summer bird tea towels

5 Thoughtful Hostess Gifts for Summer Gatherings (and Housewarmings Too)

We were recently featured in Southern Living’s list of The 35 Best Housewarming Gifts For Every Budget, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Summer is peak season for moving — new homes, new neighbors, new adventures. But it’s also the season of potlucks, porch hangs, and backyard dinner parties.

Whether you're headed to a housewarming or a casual cookout, a thoughtful hostess gift goes a long way. It doesn’t have to be fancy — it just has to feel personal. These five gifts are easy to keep on hand, wrap beautifully, and are guaranteed to get a smile (and probably a “where did you get this?”).


1. A Seasonal Tea Towel

Our tea towels aren’t just pretty — they’re practical, giftable, and perfect for summer. Wrap one around a loaf of bread, line a basket of garden veggies, or tie one around a bottle of olive oil. My current favorite for gifting? Blue Hydrangea or (coming soom) Lemon Grove — both feel like summer in towel form.

Shop our favorite new towels here!


2. A Small-Batch Candle

A fresh scent makes any home feel instantly more welcoming. Look for candles with citrus, basil, or linen notes — something clean and light for summer. Bonus points if it comes in a beautiful jar or tin that doubles as decor.

Shop our Citrus Nectar Candle- joyful sniffs included!


3. Locally Made Jam or Honey

There’s something old-fashioned and lovely about gifting a jar of jam or honey. Especially when it’s paired with a towel and tied up with a little twine and a handwritten tag. It's thoughtful, useful, and feels a little like a farmers market in gift form.

Did you know there are national directories that help you find local farmers markets with just a zip code? The USDA Farmers Market Directory is a treasure trove for discovering nearby markets (and yes, it even tells you if they take SNAP). For a cozier, more curated vibe, LocalHarvest is another great spot to browse — perfect for tracking down fresh-cut flowers, homemade jam, or that small-batch honey that’s basically sunshine in a jar.

You can click the following links to find the USDA Farmers Market Directory or the Local Harvest directory!


4. A Mini Bouquet in a Mason Jar

This one’s for the last-minute gifters (hi, it’s me). Grab some blooms from your yard or the store, pop them in a mason jar, and wrap a floral tea towel or ribbon around it. It’s simple, sweet, and looks like you planned it days ago.


5. A “Morning After” Gift Bag

Hosting is fun — and exhausting. Help your host feel appreciated with a low-key morning treat. Tuck a towel, some of our favorite local instant coffee, and a little note into a small gift bag. It’s cozy, thoughtful, and always a hit.

If you really want to elevate the gift, add a packet or two of Onyx’s new instant coffee — it’s not your average instant (trust us). It’s smooth, flavorful, and perfect for hosts who need great coffee fast the next morning. No mess, no equipment, just really good coffee in under a minute. Here’s where to find it.


Summer is for gathering, celebrating, and making memories — and a little gift is a small but meaningful way to say, “Thanks for having me.” Stock up on a few of your favorite towels now so you’re always ready with something beautiful, useful, and from the heart.

[Shop Our Summer Tea Towels]

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