From festive ugly-sweater parties to forced family gatherings, the holiday season is a time to be with your nearest and dearest — and that will likely take place at someone's home. While a gift for your host isn't a requirement, it is good-guest behavior that's sure to land you on the Nice [Will-Be-Invited-Back] List.

In honor of the season's full social calendar, we've crafted a guide to host gifts that actually feel refreshing to give and receive (aka goods that won't sit untouched and collecting dust on an already-crowded countertop). Scroll on to shop our savviest selects, from stylish oven mitts they'll actually use to board games that also double as funky decor.

Pro-guest wisdom: swap that bottle of wine you'll inevitably grab on the way to their party for one of the more unexpected options ahead.

Who doesn’t love a party? Okay fine, introverts, we see you. But when the recipes work out, the bespoke cocktails are flowing, and you’re surrounded by your people, even those who think they’d rather be at home with their BFFs Netflix and Seamless can’t help but get lost in the feeling. This doesn’t mean, however, that throwing an event — or, for that matter, attending one — is always easy. With several big-deal holidays around the corner, plus the requisite birthdays, bachelorettes, and baby showers, there’s really only one thing we can do: Keep Calm and Party On.

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