Hosting a great get-together is all in the details. The tablescaping, the candles for ambiance, and the gentle background music on the speaker – it all helps set the tone for a wonderful evening with friends. 

Another special detail you should consider is a table gift for your dinner party guests. It’s a special favour to say ‘thank you’ for coming, but also doubles as decoration too. But what should you choose for your dinner party gifts? We have listed 12 brilliant ideas below, each of them cost-effective but something that your guests will love:

 

1. Mini Maldon Salt Pinch Tins

Okay, let’s start with my favourite. You may have already spotted tins these featured on our Gift Guide For Salt Lovers, but Maldon do an adorable 4-pack of pinch tins in their iconic Maldon print. If you aren’t familiar with the brand, Maldon salt is the go-to for at-home cooks and professional chefs alike. Seriously, it’s the best salt you can get – so it makes for the perfect dinner party gift! These tins do arrive empty, so be sure to fill each tin up with Maldon salt ahead of time for your guests to enjoy! 

2. Scratch Cards

Scratch cards are super cheap (literally £1-2!) but super fun gifts, especially if you’re short on time whilst organising your dinner party. It’s a great way to keep guests entertained between courses, especially if scratch cards aren’t something they would usually buy themselves. Hosting around Christmas time? Scratch cards are also perfect for popping into a homemade Christmas cracker!

 

3. Embroidered Napkins

I love anything that is personalised, especially as a thoughtful table gift. Embroidered napkins are the ideal table gift for your dinner party guests – not only are they oh-so-beautiful, but also double up as place settings on your tablescape. Available on Etsy, you can buy stunning napkins embroidered with a name, surname, initials, or even a thoughtful icon for each guest. If you’ve got some crafty fingers yourself (I certainly don’t!), then you can absolutely make these by hand too.

4. Homemade Liqueur

Mini bottles of liqueur, especially when it’s homemade, makes for a fun party favour. They can either be drunk on the night of your dinner party, or enjoyed by guests at a later date. Plus, you can match the type of liqueur to the theme of your dinner party. For example, limoncello would be lovely if you’re dining al-fresco, or homemade sloe gin if you’re dining in the colder months. Keep in mind that not everyone drinks alcohol, so be sure to provide some non-alcoholic options if needed for certain guests. 

Check out our recipe for Homemade Elderflower Liqueur to get started.

5. Flower or Vegetable Seeds

These would be especially lovely if you’re hosting al fresco or sometime in the Spring. A packet of seeds – whether it’s wildflowers, sweet peas, or even chillies – is such a charming nod to growth and new beginnings. It’s also super budget-friendly, and your guests will think of your wonderful dinner party each time something starts to bloom!

 

6. Matchbox / Mini Games

Mini games are a great table gift that sparks conversation or perhaps even a few giggles. Our go-tos are from a brand called The Mini Games Club, who offer around 15 different mini games, each conveniently packed into a matchbox-sized container. Not only do they add a colourful touch to the table, but guests can dip into them while chatting between courses, or bring them out again with a few drinks after dinner has wrapped up.

 

7. Posh Food Items

Food is one of those fail-safe gifts – it never gets left behind, can be budget-friendly, and allows you to get creative based on your dinner party theme. When choosing a posh food item as your table gift, opt for something in miniature form (it’s way cuter, trust me), and is something you wouldn’t usually buy yourself. My go-tos include: 

  • Joe & Steph’s Gourmet Popcorn
  • Mini Honey & Drizzler (you can buy these from Amazon!)
  • Chocolates like Ferrero Rochers
  • Macarons
  • Mini Jars of Artisanal Jam or Marmalade (Bonne Maman minis are a classic)
  • Luxury Truffles
  • Gourmet Tea Sachets
  • Luxury Nut Mixes (check out my recipe for Festive Spiced Nuts)
  • Miniature Panettone or Stollen

8. Thrifted Vintage Crockery or Glassware

Unique, hard-to-find items make excellent gifts, and it’s a great excuse to have a mooch around your local charity or thrift shops. We love the idea of gifting a vintage teaspoon or thrifted champagne coup to each guest, especially if each of them are slightly different. You could tie a name tag around each item and also use them as creative and colourful placeholders for the table!

 

9. Infused Olive Oil

Is anyone else obsessed with olive oil? Put it on anything – salads, pasta, bread – it’s delicious, and can feel really luxurious. It also makes for the perfect table gift for dinner party guests. No – you don’t have to buy a huge bottle of olive oil for each and every attendee (your poor bank account!!), but a mini olive oil is just right. Buy some lovely miniature bottles from Amazon and fill them up with your favourite olive oil. Keep it plain, or, infuse your olive oil ahead of time with:

  • Fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme
  • Garlic
  • Chilli flakes
  • Lemon rinds
  • Pink peppercorns
  • Sun-dried tomatoes or basil for an Italian twist

10. Custom Match Boxes

Custom match boxes are one of those items that scream sophisticated, but still remain super unique. You can either DIY your own, or buy some on Etsy for a small amount. I love to customise them with our family name, but you could also have them made to feature your guest’s name, your dinner party date, or even a favourite quote makes for a sweet little keepsake. Simply tuck them beside each place setting for an elevated touch.

 

11. Mini Flower Bouquets

Like the embroidered napkins or vintage crockery, mini flower bouquets also double up as a gorgeous table decoration. You can tie them with twine, ribbon, or a personalised tag to suit your tablescape style – rustic, modern, romantic, you name it.

Want to take this table gift one step further? Add a dainty bud vase to each mini bouquet to bring everything together. It’s such a stylish touch and something guests can use again in their own homes.

12. Monogrammed Anything

There’s something undeniably classy about seeing your own initials on something – it makes even the simplest items feel special. Monogrammed gifts strike the perfect balance between personal and luxurious, and they’re a lovely keepsake for your guests to remember the evening by. A few chic, monogram-friendly ideas include:

  • Coasters
  • Mugs
  • Compact mirrors 
  • Mini notebooks or journals
  • Keyrings

Not sure where to find monogrammed items? Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas and Etsy are fantastic places to start!

Hosting Tips & Tricks From Savery Grazing

Choosing a thoughtful table gift for your dinner party guests is the cherry on top of a well-hosted event. It doesn’t have to be expensive or over-the-top – just a small gesture that makes your guests feel appreciated and a little bit spoiled. Whether it’s a personalised napkin, a sweet treat, or a handmade keepsake, your guests will love any of the ideas mentioned in this blog.

Looking for more gift guides or hosting tips & tricks? Find more on our blog page, or, follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

If you have a gift idea for dinner party guests that we’ve missed, don’t forget to let us know in the comments!

Jasmine Savery
Founder & Director

Hi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.

Hi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.