The Summer Host Gift Guide: What I bring when someone invites me to stay

There are few things nicer than being invited into someone else’s world; whether it’s for dinner, a weekend at their house, a few days on a boat, or a last-minute stay that turns into something much longer than expected.

And when that happens, I was definitely brought up with one rule: never arrive empty-handed.

I don’t think a host gift ever needs to be extravagant. In fact, the best ones usually aren’t. They’re simply thoughtful, something beautiful, useful, delicious or slightly indulgent that says: thank you for having me, I thought about you.

The trick is choosing something that feels personal without creating more work for the person hosting you. A giant decorative object they now need to find a home for? Probably not. Something incredibly specific to your own taste rather than theirs? Also dangerous.

So this is my very unofficial guide to what I would bring depending on exactly who is hosting.

For a boat host, I like gifts that are fun, useful and easy to bring on board. The Please Leave By 9 Cocktail Napkins and No Crying on the Yacht Cap are playful without being too much, while The Southampton Beach Board — Backgammon is perfect for long afternoons at anchor.

If you want to go a little more special, the Loro Piana Beach Rackets are incredibly chic, and the Business & Pleasure Co. Striped Pool Buoy is both practical and very photogenic. For something more classic, I love the Trudon Ernesto Grande Candle, while Paradise Courts is a great option for the host who already has everything.

For the fashion girl, I like gifts that feel a little niche, a little indulgent, and ideally like something she wouldn’t immediately buy for herself. The Maria Frering Personalised Letter Pendant is such a cute one, especially because it comes in different colour variations and feels really personal. Just note that it doesn’t come with a chain, so you can add one separately or attach it to a necklace you already own.

I also love the Heimat Atlantica Camariñas Lingerie Bag with Initials, the Grand Tour Collection Beach Basket, and the Lucien White Sapphire Leverbacks, which have a little Jessica McCormack feeling without the same price tag.

For something fun, the Bottega Veneta Crab Charm is very summer, while the Julia Large Bead Necklace has that sculptural Elsa Peretti feeling without completely breaking the bank.

And for the girl who already has the full-size Dyson, the Dyson Supersonic™ Travel Hair Dryer is such a cute update — tiny, useful and perfect for holidays. I’d also add the Sophie Buhai Tasseled Tortoiseshell Acetate Comb, which makes an everyday object feel unexpectedly chic.

The Maria Frering Personalised Letter Pendant is even nicer when you layer a few together. You could mix your own initial with your husband’s, your children’s, or simply choose different colours and wear them together. Because the pendant comes without a chain, it’s also very easy to add it onto necklaces you already own and make it feel completely personal.