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You want your holiday gifts to be remembered, not re-gifted. According to Monkey Business customer feedback, over 70% of shoppers say the presents that stand out are both useful and surprising. That is your sweet spot for holiday entertaining gifts too – something your host will actually use and also talk about the next time friends come over.
Monkey Business builds its entire collection around that idea. Clever kitchen tools, playful barware, quirky organizers, and fun tabletop accessories are all designed to solve small everyday problems while making people smile. When you lean into that mix of function and flair, holiday gifting suddenly feels a lot easier, especially when you are shopping for hosts, entertainers, and foodie friends.
Here is what you are about to get:
Holiday entertaining is a lot of work for your host. There is the menu, the cleanup, the playlist, the guest list, and that one person who always shows up an hour early. Bringing a thoughtful host gift is more than good manners – it is a genuine thank you for everything that happened behind the scenes.
Research from etiquette experts and lifestyle brands like Martha Stewart shows that a host gift is considered a basic courtesy, especially around the holidays. Your host might not remember who brought which generic red wine, but they will remember the pasta pot grips that saved their fingers on lasagna night, or the quirky wine stopper they now reach for every weekend.
Here is where Monkey Business really shines. Their entire range is built around one simple equation: practical function plus playful design. That is exactly what holiday entertainers love – tools and accessories they actually need, wrapped in humor and personality.
That "useful + surprising" combo works across almost every kind of guest. Secret Santa at the office, the neighbor who hosts the block party, the cousin who is obsessed with cheese, or the minimalist friend who avoids clutter – all of them can use a handy kitchen or bar gadget with a smart twist.
Monkey Business has found that over 70% of shoppers remember gifts that are both helpful and unexpected. When you think about it, that makes sense. You might forget who gave you a plain mug, yet you remember the pasta shaped pot grips that made everyone at the table laugh.
Before you start shopping, it helps to get clear on how your host actually entertains. Do they love cooking and spend all night at the stove? Are they more of a "snacks and wine" person? Do they host game nights, family dinners, or big potluck parties?
When you match their hosting style to the right functional gift, you make holiday entertaining smoother for them all year long. Think of your gift as a little tool that will quietly serve in the background and then pop into the spotlight with a smile or a laugh.
If you know someone who hosts pasta nights, lasagna feasts, or cozy carb loaded dinners, the Farfalloni pasta pot grips are a perfect pick. They look like oversized farfalle pasta, yet they work as heat resistant silicone pot holders that protect your hands from hot handles and lids.
These are a Monkey Business bestseller because they tick every box. They are easy to clean, easy to store, and instantly recognizable. Instead of generic oven mitts, your host now has a conversation starter that doubles as real protection from steam and heat.
True to life example: imagine your friend draining a big pot of spaghetti while guests hover in the kitchen. Someone notices the pasta shaped pot grips, laughs, and asks where they are from. Suddenly your gift is part of the story of the night, not just another item in a drawer.
Wine is the classic host gift, yet it is also the easiest to forget. If you want to stand out, give your host something that keeps their bottles fresh while adding character to the table. El Corko, a playful and practical wine stopper from Monkey Business, does exactly that.
Instead of a boring rubber cap, they get a stopper that looks fun on the bottle and seals it tight. This works for holiday dinners, book club nights, or that "one more glass" moment at the end of an evening. It is perfect when you do not know their exact taste in wine, but you know they like to pour.
According to a Wirecutter guide to host gifts, bar accessories are among the most appreciated presents because they actually get used during and after parties. A smart stopper like El Corko elevates even a basic bottle and keeps it ready for the next guest.
Some hosts measure garlic with their hearts, not with a spoon. For them, the Heads & Cloves garlic keeperis a clever and useful gift that looks great on the countertop and keeps garlic fresher for longer.
Proper storage helps garlic stay dry and ventilated, which reduces sprouting and waste. Instead of a random bulb rolling around the pantry, your host gets a compact, designed container that adds charm to their kitchen setup.
This kind of functional decor falls right into the "elevated everyday" category that home editors love. It is similar in spirit to stylish salt cellars and oil bottles praised by Wirecutter and other reviewers, just with a Monkey Business wink.
Every group has that one person who never shows up empty handed and loves to keep the drinks flowing. For them, playful barware and wine toys are holiday gold. Think bottle stoppers with characters, fun pourers, or tiny animals that perch on the rim of a glass so guests can tell drinks apart.
Monkey Business specializes in these small but mighty conversation starters. They are particularly great for:
External guides to host gifts, like those from Martha Stewart editors, often suggest giving bar tools and unique glassware because they help hosts upgrade what they already do best. A quirky wine toy set from Monkey Business fits that brief, while adding humor to the mix.
Holiday entertaining is just one side of someone's life. Many great hosts are also busy parents, remote workers, or small business owners. For them, a gift that cleans up visual chaos on the desk can feel just as thoughtful as a kitchen tool.
Monkey Business desktop organizers turn notes and reminders into a small, charming scene. They are perfect for:
Here is the entertaining link. A calmer, more organized host is more likely to enjoy throwing gatherings. When to do lists feel less overwhelming, planning that New Year's brunch or themed potluck becomes fun again, not just another chore.
If your host often has kids at the table, the best gift you can bring might actually be for the little ones. Small toys, creative animal themed items, or playful desk buddies from Monkey Business can keep children entertained while adults catch up.
This is especially helpful for multi family holiday dinners where attention is split across ages. When children have something new and fun to explore, your host gets a few extra minutes to finish the main course or serve dessert without chaos.
Monkey Business offers animal toys, bookmarks, and small desk items that double as kid friendly distractions. You are not just bringing "another toy" – you are bringing a smoother evening for everyone around the table.
Sometimes you truly do not know your host well. Maybe it is a partner's work party or you are the plus one at a big family gathering. In that case, simple and universally useful gifts with a fun twist are your best friends.
Monkey Business recommends sticking to crowd pleasing options like:
If you want to keep it extra safe, a Monkey Business gift card paired with a small physical item (such as a wine stopper or bookmark) hits a nice balance. They get something to open and enjoy immediately plus the fun of picking out more later.
To make gifting even easier, use this quick match up list when you shop:
They love recipes and experiments in the kitchen.
Gift ideas: Farfalloni pasta pot grips, Heads & Cloves garlic keeper, clever prep tools, or anything that reduces mess and heat.
They lean on snacks, drinks, and easy dishes.
Gift ideas: El Corko wine stopper, playful barware, cheese or snack serving helpers.
They manage schedules, to do lists, and events with precision.
Gift ideas: Desktop organizers, or multi use items that keep surfaces tidy.
Their place is where relatives and kids gather by default.
Gift ideas: Kids corner toys, table friendly distractions, and sturdy kitchen gadgets that survive heavy use.
They dislike clutter yet appreciate good design.
Gift ideas: Simple, functional items in neutral colors like a smart garlic keeper or sleek bar accessory, or a gift card.
Group gifting can be tricky. You usually do not know the recipient very well and the budget is limited. This is where Monkey Business products have become favorites for many offices and friend groups.
Items like desktop organizers or Corkers Animals often show up in Secret Santa exchanges because they are:
When a gift is both functional and entertaining, it is less likely to be abandoned in a drawer. It might end up on a desk, on a fridge, or in the kitchen, where it quietly reminds people of the person who gave it.
You have a few easy options when you are ready to shop:
Wherever you buy, the same rule applies. Focus on that useful plus surprising sweet spot, and you will keep hitting the mark for hosts and holiday entertainers.
Holiday entertaining gifts do not have to be stressful or repetitive. When you focus on items that blend function with flair, you give your host something they will actually reach for long after the guests go home. That is how a small garlic keeper, a pasta shaped pot grip, or a witty wine stopper becomes part of their favorite memories in the kitchen or around the table.
Monkeybusiness products are designed to do exactly that, turn everyday moments into little sparks of joy while quietly making life easier. If over 70% of people remember useful and surprising gifts, why not be the one who brings those to every party this season?
As you look at your holiday calendar, which host in your life most deserves a gift that will make them smile every single time they entertain?
Q: What makes a good gift for holiday entertaining?
A: A strong entertaining gift is practical, easy to use, and enjoyable to look at. Aim for something your host will use during or after a gathering, like pot grips, wine stoppers, or serving helpers, and add a playful twist so it feels special rather than generic.
Q: How do I choose a Monkeybusiness gift if I do not know the host well?
A: Stick to universally useful items that fit most homes. Popular safe picks include Farfalloni pasta pot grips, El Corko wine stopper, desktop organizers, and small animal themed accessories. You can also combine a modest physical item with a Monkeybusiness gift card.
Q: Are Monkeybusiness products suitable for Secret Santa or office parties?
A: Yes, they are ideal for group gifting. Items like the Memo Mountain Mini Cork Board or Corkers Animals work well within typical Secret Santa budgets, get a laugh at the reveal, and still serve a real purpose at home or at work.
Q: What should I bring if my host already has a fully equipped kitchen?
A: Focus on small upgrades rather than big tools. Think playful barware, stylish storage pieces like a garlic keeper, or niche helpers such as pasta pot grips. These add personality and function without duplicating large appliances they already own.
Q: Can Monkeybusiness gifts work for families with kids?
A: Absolutely. Kids corner items, fun animal toys, and character themed accessories keep little ones entertained while adults chat. This can make long holiday dinners smoother for your host and more enjoyable for the whole table.
Q: Is a bottle of wine enough, or should I add something extra?
A: A bottle of wine is always appreciated, yet you can easily upgrade it with a simple Monkeybusiness accessory. Pair the bottle with a fun wine stopper, creative pourer, or embroidered style towel, and your gift instantly feels more memorable and personal.