In the bad old days, giving a gift was synonymous with graft. You wanted protection from a medieval king? You approached bearing gifts. Wanted to shave a few years off your sentence in purgatory? You presented a gift to the local Church monastery.

Times have changed, and gift-giving has evolved. We give joyfully, from Christian Christmas presents to gifts given on the Hindu Diwali festival to Buddhist Vesak gifts to modern Japan’s “obligation chocolates” given to lovers on Valentine’s Day. (We’re quite frankly suspicious of any gift with “obligation” in its name, but whatever.)

We like giving gifts. Presenting a hostess gift is among our favorite occasions for gift-giving. One of our favorite people — a consummate gentleman and social genius — once told us that it was never okay to show up empty-handed to a dinner party. His advice: if all else fails, arrive carrying a bag of convenience-store ice! Fortunately, it doesn’t have to come to that. Check out our selection of gift ideas for any occasion (or no occasion at all), from a simple, whimsical tea towel to a practical kitchen accessory to a piece of gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry. Because carrying a bag of ice around is cold and unpleasant.