25 hostess gifts from Walmart are way better than a bottle of wine

Grab a blanket, pull up a chair and dive into a year of meals in this cookbook by Dolly Parton and her sister, Rachel. In it, they share beloved, crowd-pleasing recipes and fun family stories, like the secial dish Rachel makes at Dolly's request every year for her birthday or the condiment that's on the table for every Parton family meal.

This Walmart-exclusive edition comes with a fun pink cover and a letter to the recipient from Dolly and Rachel.

It doesn't matter how many throw blankets I'm given, I'll always be thrilled to receive another because it's the type of gift I'll always use. This one is made of cozy and plush recycled polyester material that's perfect for snuggling up into. Plus, it looks just as good thrown on the foot of the feet as it does draped across the sofa or folded on the arm of your favorite reading chair. 

The Aerogarden Sprout is a great gift for the host who likes to go above and beyond every time they cook. With this small hydroponic countertop herb garden, now they'll always have fresh basil, mint, or whatever herbs they like fresh on hand. This miniature version (hence the name "Sprout") allows them to grow three herbs at a time, and this kit comes with a set of gourmet herbs to get them started. 

Whether you're serving up a charcuterie board for book club or hosting a Super Bowl watch party for your family, a serving tray is essential. This one from Walmart is made of durable acacia wood and comes with stylish gold handles. The side lip ensures that spilled liquids stay where they belong — on the tray.

It's the candle that 1,500 Walmart shoppers rave about, but it's also just a really nice-smelling candle that makes a great gift for just about anyone. The inviting fragrance has notes of amber, oud, vanilla bean, mahogany, incense and cacao, and it has a 40-hour burn time. 

With an almost perfect 4.9-star rating, Walmart customers are obsessed with these truffle-infused hot sauces that'll elevate everything from chicken wings to scrambled eggs. It's a great addition to a foodie's pantry, especially one who loves to cook for others.

"People see hype on social media and wonder if something is as good as it is described, this is BETTER," wrote one enthusiastic shoppers hwo also recommends the TRUFF truffle-infused mayo.

Who says Christmas decor can't be tasteful? This is the ultimate snacking tray for the ultimate holiday host. It includes an acacia wood tray (that you should hand wash) and stoneware bowls (that are dishwasher safe). Use them together or separately for a bit of holiday cheer.

A host has enough on their plate without filling up everyone's water glasses throughout the event. Instead, this beverage holder can be used to keep fresh water out for guests to help themselves to. Or, they fill it with their favorite mocktail or juice. Alternatively, it's also a great container for making a big pitchers of refreshing sun tea in the summertime.

The organic textures, shapes and materials of this wooden table tray make it look like it costs way more than just 25 bucks. Designed wolden handles, wooden knot imperfections and an organic color palette lend this tray to use in pretty much any room in the house, though I love the idea of displaying it on a coffee table with a vase of flowers or a candle. 

For the person who likes their whiskey strong and their coffee stronger, this Jack Daniel's ground coffee is sure to surprise and delight. It's infused with authentic Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. But don't worry — it's nonalcoholic.

Why show up with flowers for the host when you can show up with a mini Christmas tree? This Norfolk Pine thrives in strong, indirect sunlight, but is extremely low maintenance and requires very little care besides watering when it's dry. The plant comes in a 6-inch pot and will be about 18 to 20 inches tall when it arrives. 

Decorate it with a few baubles and a new pot for planting it and you have a lovely gift that'll last a check of a lot longer than a bottle of wine.

Perhaps you're simply looking for a gift to tack onto an affordable bottle of wine or a nice bouquet of flowers, in which case might we recommend a set of cute coasters? These ones from Walmart's in-house brand Better Homes & Gardens are inoffensive — meaning they'll look nice with pretty much any type of decor and will pair easily with any other coasters they might already have. 

For stylish barware that doesn't break your budget, we recommend these smoked glasses wine glasses from Walmart's own brand Thyme & Table. They're both stylish and function, with an iridescent smokey finish and a utilitarian angled design that enhances the flavor of any type of wine that you're drinking. Pair it with a set of wine stoppers and a cute wine bottle opener for a thoughtful hostess gift. 

If you're going to bring flowers, why not bring the host some flowers in a vase they can keep? That way they don't have to scramble to find a vase for the flowers int he middle of trying to entertain a full house. This one from Drew Barrymore's Walmart line Beautiful looks way more expensive than it actually is and is stylish enough to display pretty much anywhere. 

This set includes everything an avid baker or professional host needs, including a large mixing bowl with measurement markings that go up to 10 cups (or 2.5 quarts), as well as ceramic measuring cups. It's especially nice to give someone a matching set like this that'll look good even when sitting out on the counter. 

We can't forget about cheese knives, a hostess essential for a fun charcuterie board night! This set comes with six essential cheese knife shapes, everything you need to slice cheddar, spread camembert, and fork your favorite gouda.

What is it about candlesticks that just immediately elevate a space? This matte black set is very stylish and shockingly affordable, making them a great item to style on dining tables, fireplace mantels and bookshelves. Pair them with these stylish spiraled taper candles for a delightfully elegant gift to dress up their dining table. 

A good host knows that they can never have too many towels in the kitchen. These ones from Walmart's brand Thyme.& Table are perfect, because the dark colors won't show hard-to-clean stains like tomato sauce and red wine. Of course, they'd be lovely paired with other small kitchen essentials, like a set of wine stoppers or a nice homemade jam. 

Every host needs a solid Dutch oven, even if they don't think they do. This one from Lodge — yep, the same brand that makes Ina Garten's favorite cast iron skillet — is one of the best value Dutch ovens you can find. It's made of enameled cast iron that can be used to broil, braise, bake, or roast in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Plus, over 4,300 reviewers have given this cookware a nearly perfect 4.9-star rating. "I’ve been cooking in cast iron Dutch ovens for 50 years and can honestly say once you try one, you’ll be sold on the difference in how your soups, bread, roasts, etc. taste when cooked in one of these," wrote a committed reviewer. 

Whether they're plating up a spread for the Super Bowl or they like a good wine and cheese night for book club, this acacia wood cutting board is a delightful addition to any hostess's kitchen. It has non-skid feet that prevent it from sliding around on countertops while cooking, and the juice well collects liquids before they run across the countertop. Must keep in mind that, as with all wooden cutting boards, hand washing is recommended.

Because every hostess ends up with way more food than they have room to store, why not gift them some stylish food storage containers you know they'll ptu to good use? This set comes with nine containers — 18 pieces with the corresponding lids — and is made with a stylish ribbed design that means they're also not a complete eyesore in the pantry or fridge. 

Not enough ice — it's every host's biggest problem when they have a full house. But with this countertop ice maker, they can up their cocktail game and provide bullet-shaped ice in a matter of minutes. No more running out to the corner shop for more ice halfway through the party. 

Reusable cloth napkins are a gift they'll use again and again. These ones from the Pioneer Woman are easy to clean — just toss them in the washing machine — and will brighten up their dining table when they have guests around for a meal. Pair them with some fancy hot sauces or homemade jam for a really thoughtful gift. 

Free up their hands while they're cooking with a rustic-inspired cookbook stand. This one is designed to look nice sitting out on their counter even when it's not in use because it can be camouflaged as a cutting board.

They say leopard print is back in fashion, and with these tortoise brown drinking glasses, we have to agree. They've oversized — 20 ounces — making them a great choice for everyday use, though they're also stylish enough to tuck away and pull out just for special occasions. They also come in other colorways.