“Hostess” gifts are something thoughtful to bring to a gathering or party and makes a good first impression when you don’t know the host or hostess well. Consider one of the following gifts that are easy and inexpensive for the next time you are a guest.

• Bottle of wine or nice olive oil
• Muffins or scones with a small jar of honey or jam — so they don’t have to make breakfast the next morning
• Bouquet of flowers (preferably already in a vase)
• Coasters — there are many stylish handmade ones fabricated from felt, leather or wood, or you could make your own from ceramic tiles
• Jar of high-quality pickles or olives — especially good for gatherings where appetizers are being served
• Vintage cookbook — if you know the host or hostess enjoys cooking, look at your local thrift store or online at abebooks.com and thriftbooks.com
• A nice cheese, like Brie or Camembert
• Cheese board or cutting board — look at TJ Maxx, Marshalls or other discount department stores for high-end goods at a discount price
• Crowd-pleasing game — such as Uno or Jenga
• Homemade pasta or spice mix — these are easy to assemble and don’t require a lot of ingredients