Labor Day Host and Hostess Gifts That Aren't a Bottle of Wine

Labor Day cookout season means a lot of hosts, and a lot of guests showing up with the same bottle of wine or scented candle. It's a fine gift, it's just gone by the next morning.

Something That Outlasts the Weekend

Wine gets finished that night. An engraved item stays on their counter or patio long after the last guest leaves, which is really the whole point of a host gift.

A Few Ideas

• An engraved bottle opener for the grill area
• Wood coasters for the patio table
• A cutting board sized for however they're hosting
• A small walnut box for gift cards or house keys they hand out to guests

For a Recurring Host

If it's the same person hosting every year, personalize it with their name, or something like "the Miller cookout," and it turns into a running tradition instead of a one-off gift.