While the holidays can be a whirlwind of joyous celebrations as we gather with friends and family to share in the spirit of the season, one timeless tradition remains steadfast: the act of giving. What better way to show your appreciation to your host or hostess than with a gift that’s as special and memorable as the holiday season itself? Embrace the enchantment of Saugatuck/Douglas in winter, where you’ll find quaint shops and specialty boutiques lining the streets, brimming with exceptional and heartfelt treasures sure to leave a lasting impression. 

From gourmet delights to unique handmade gifts, we've compiled a list of the best host and hostess gifts and where to find them.

Gourmet and Specialty Foods

The holiday season is synonymous with feasting, so why not bring your host or hostess something delicious to add to the festivities? Saugatuck/Douglas has a variety of options, including Michigan-made jams, jellies, and sauces from American Spoon and specialty olive oils, tapenades, and vinegars from The Olive Mill. Spice things up with salt-free spice blends, loose-leaf teas, tea infusers, and more from Spice & Tea Merchants. A special blend of coffee from Respite Cappuccino Court or Uncommon Coffee Roasters is the perfect pick-me-up for the host or hostess, while soup and chili mixes from The Butler Pantry will certainly be appreciated during cozy evenings in.

Crane's Pie Pantry offers Michigan syrups, jams, and the opportunity to purchase a delicious frozen pie or tart to be baked fresh for the gathering or at a later date. Your host is sure to appreciate a pre-packaged gourmet gift basket from the Farmhouse Deli & Pantry, or you can create your own mix with their thoughtfully sourced charcuterie offerings and a jar of their Backporch BBQ Sauce. These culinary delights will be a welcome addition to any holiday gathering.

Wine and Craft Beverages

If your host or hostess enjoys a good libation, then the Art Coast is the ideal location to find something special. Pick up a bottle of Michigan wine or cider from Fenn Valley Winery, Crane’s Winery, Virtue Cider, Modales, or Michigan Wine Company. Along with being the largest fine art gallery in the area, J. Petter Galleries also offers wines from around the world, remarkable wine-themed gifts, and other items that make for the perfect host/hostess gift. Also, find a fabulous selection of wine, spirits, and fine cigars at Wine Sellers of Saugatuck. Cocktail enthusiasts and home mixologists will appreciate specialty beverage mixers from Coastal Society. And for the craft beer connoisseurs, purchase a six-pack (or two) from Saugatuck Brewing Company, Guardian Brewing Company, Waypost Brewing Company, and The Mitten Brewing Company.

Gifts for Entertaining and Cooking

For the host or hostess who has a passion for entertaining and sharing their culinary prowess, Saugatuck/Douglas has plenty to offer. Bring a dash of humor and style to your hostess's home with hilarious cocktail napkins and Michigan-themed stemless wine and rocks glasses from the The Pink Patio.

The Butler Pantry features decorative Nora Fleming^® platters with customizable themed attachments perfect for entertaining during every season and offers a wide range of specialty kitchen tools designed for even the most daunting culinary task.

Elevate your host’s tablescapes with exquisite serveware, hand-blown glassware, imported table linens, and handmade charcuterie boards found at Lulu Cadieux. Their wide selection of cookbooks adds an extra touch of sophistication. J. Petter Galleries also offers an array of cutting boards, charcuterie boards, and cheese knives perfect for entertaining.

Holiday and Home Décor

Consider gifts that add a festive touch to your host’s or hostess’s home. Bright World Candle Company provides candles and oil lamps, perfect for creating a warm ambiance during the holidays, while Amazwi Contemporary Art features holiday décor and unique Kapula hand-painted candles to brighten the season. Help your hostess deck the halls with stunning collectible ornaments from Old World Christmas^®, Christopher Radko^®, Kurt S. Adler^®, and more from Tuck's of Saugatuck or stop by The Laffing Glass to explore their array of handcrafted, whimsical glass ornaments and nightlights.

Home décor enthusiasts will appreciate eye-catching finds, both vintage and new, from Brackett & Company and Upscale Mercantile. Or consider gifting an exotic orchid or a Kokedama moss ball in a traditional English-style terracotta pot from Puddingstone or a custom floral arrangement from Back to the Fuchsia.

Art and Accessories

Saugatuck/Douglas is home to a vibrant arts community where you'll find unique, handcrafted items that make for delightful host and hostess gifts. Extraordinary ceramics, framed artwork, and other handcrafted treasures can be found at Ox-Bow House, Jeff Blandford Gallery, Roan & Black, Capizzo Studio, Mr. Miller’s Art Emporium, Good Goods, Mixed Media Gallery, and Water Street Gallery, to name a few of the more than 20 galleries and artist studios that call this area home. 

Show your appreciation with a set of hand-deckled notecards from local artist James Brandess, or gift a pair of handmade coffee mugs or a unique pottery dish with some scented soap from Root Café. Charming hand-lettered and painted items can be found at Polka Dot Mitten, which carries tote bags, inspirational wall plaques, and Saugatuck-themed ornaments and coasters. For a complete listing of all our galleries and artist studios, click here.

And if you're unsure about your host's preferences, consider a gift card to any store, gallery, restaurant, or inn in Saugatuck/Douglas so that they can experience the allure of the Art Coast for themselves. A relaxing pampering session at Bella Vita Spa + Suites can help them wind down after the holidays, while a gift card to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts offers an opportunity to enjoy a unique cultural experience. Your thoughtfulness will be remembered long after the holidays have passed.