Whether your holiday plans call for party-hopping, an open-door policy, or a quiet table for two, this time of year is all about sharing (food, space, laughter, opinions, you name it) with the people you love. Whatever the occasion, you should never show up empty handed. Here are the best host and hostess gifts to help you make a great impression.

A Very Fine Cookbook for the Chicest Cook in the Kitchen

Irma Rombauer’s Joy of Cooking gets a major makeover with red edges and an embossed Vachetta cover. No olive oil drips, please! (Or do, and keep it real.)

To buy: $180, House & Parties

Porcelain Decor for the Stylish Lady of the House

Take tradition for a spin with a vignette of these fun hand-painted, blue-and-white platters—an idea we borrowed from Alyssa Rosenheck’s new book, The New Southern Style. 

To buy: Varies, March SF

(Check out our podcast episode with Alyssa here.)

A Book for the Coffee Table and the Dinner Table

Consummate hostess Deeda Blair’s new book, Food, Flowers, and Fantasy, describes perfect party moods and menus. The volume was edited by former T and Domino editor-in-chief Deborah Needleman, who knows a thing or two about style. 

To buy: $60, KRB

Dressed-Up Dessert Service

Cut the cake in style with this two-piece pewter set, which happens to pair beautifully with The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction by Samantha Ettus, who chatted with Zibby on a recent podcast episode.

To buy: $160, Neiman Marcus

Inspired Serveware to Corral the Chaos

Handmade in Italy, and taking cues from your favorite abstract-expressionist painters, these cheerfully splattered ceramics make everyday meals more fun.

To buy: $39.99-$64.99, Williams Sonoma

A Stack of Books for Your Stack of Books (or Coffee, or Wine, or Whatever)

What’s better than an end table? A 17th-century end table made to look like a stack of leather-bound books, that’s what. And of course, every book table needs a book to go on top—we suggest Claire Messud’s A Dream Life, and don’t miss Claire’s podcast episode here.

To buy: $2,100, KRB

A Truly Trippy Tablecloth for the West-Coast Host

D’Ascoli’s Laurel Canyon collection is the perfect backdrop for any psychedelic fête—perhaps to celebrate the upcoming launch of Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica! (HYPERLINK TK)

To buy: Varies, D’Ascoli

Easy-Breezy Place Settings for the East-Coast Host

At the other end of the spectrum, D’Ascoli’s Long Island collection features nostalgic names (Maidstone, Tuckahoe, Peconic) and a faded-chintz vibe your breakfast nook will love.

To buy: Varies, D’Ascoli

Scratch-Free Dish Scrubbers

Are you team dishes-before-bed or soak-and-save-it-for-the-morning? The votes are in, and the house remains divided. In any case, a multi-pack of these utterly perfect scrub pads will restore your kitchen without a scratch in sight.

To buy: $18.62, Amazon

Wallpaper That Speaks Volumes—Literally

Perfect for the powder room, a work-from-home corner and just about any book nook you can find, Brunschwig & Fils Bibliotheque is a next-level love letter to all your favorite roommates. 

To buy: Varies, Kravet

Fruitful Vessels for the Elevated Tablescaper

Abundance, longevity, and good fortune—yes, please! The pomegranate is an auspicious symbol in Greek and Persian mythology. But no matter what they mean to you, these French terracotta vessels are great to use as bud vases, candleholders, or just to dress your table.

 To buy: $40, Reed Smythe

A Palm-Reading Primer for the After Party

The ultimate portable party trick, palmistry is an age-old approach to divining character traits. And after Zibby’s chat with actress, writer, former supermodel, and palm-reader Paulina Porizkova, we’re all in.

To buy, $20.99, Amazon