that ice maker is ridiculous

Alternatively, give them $200 hard cash. Price aside, I would prefer to receive a bottle of wine rather than half of these things...I don't typically dip into the hard liquor at a dinner party, and I don't want something that I'll be expected to keep if I find it ugly.

I'd have use for the liquor, at least, but the rest? Eep. I've either got my own glassware or I don't WANT to store it, I don't like gimmicky stuff.

I get the point, and these might be wonderful gifts if you know the person well enough to be sure of their taste...but they seem VERY pricey for the actual products offered.

What about bringing apple cider and a pack of mulling spices? If they like, they can bust it out at the party and make everything smell lovely...plus, it spikes nicely for those with more alcoholic tastes.

#1 seems crazy to me and I well over my host/hostess gift price range. But, I am curious. Is there any reason one would want their ice cubes to be spherical?

ek76 - the new trend in mixology is pairing the right type of ice with the drink. Completely serious. :)

Sphered ice cubes (or not cubes) are my favorites. Who needs a design site to buy hard liquor? I will not buy them, for the price is too much, but they look nice.

As a non-drinker (OK, two beers a year, maybe...) I guess I'm just out of the loop for "Holiday Parties" if any of this is appropriate. Oh, Well, not the first time!

Personally, when I have parties, I do not want gifts. If guests ASK ahead of time, I can offer suggestions as to what would be welcome as additions to the party, and naturally, anybody can "BYO" beverages, in case I'm not supplying their favorites. But last time someone brought wine, it was opened six months later, one glass consumed, then dumped down the drain for lack of interest. And a spherical ice cube maker just offends my sense of value...

But it's always interesting to see what other people consider good ideas!

Given our small apartment, I would rather a nice bottle of wine or a good loaf of bread than a bunch of expensive novelties that just take up space. Or, shocker, just your gift of time in spending the evening with us.

If you have friends "who appreciate exclusivity and only imbibe the best", then they won't drink Absolut.

Also, whiskey stones don't keep whiskey cool longer than actual ice, because they barely cool it at all and the effect is quite short lived. Their purpose is to not dilute the whiskey.

jrossi- you crack me up about the Absolut.

Also, I dream of the day when someone gifts me a bottle of 12yr Scotch!

Keep it simple. Bring some wine, beer, or a bottle of alcohol. No one will ever find that lacking.

I agree with what others have said, I'd prefer no hostess gift at all (I'm not sure I've ever actually seen one given in my entire life...) unless it's something for the party (wine, some food you offered to bring, chocolate, etc).

I don't know about the rest of you, but I love receiving $200 host gifts. Thanks for the practical gift guide, AT! Just in time to send this link to all my friends before my holiday party next week.

I have to agree with everyone else ... bring on the vino! The last thing I need is some ridiculously niche gadget cluttering up my apartment. Now, the vodka and whiskey? Make that Southern Comfort or bourbon and we've got a deal ;-)

Oh. I love receiving wine as a hostess gift. lol It's very practical, and will likely be used at the party!

I can't see any of my friends dropping $60 much less $200 as a hostess gift - I think this post was meant for a different audience

I recently had a house warming and everyone brought me a bottle of their favorite wine - I loved it - a few saw I was trying to restock my bar after living with a roommate that would drink any and all alcohol in site - and they wished they had brought me some liquor to help restock - so I think the liquor is a great idea too.

I still maintain that a bottle of wine or growler from a local microbrew is better than a set of glasses your host won't want to use or store for eternity.

The idea of spending 200 on a host give is crazy.

Oh, and add local artisan chocolates to the list. Those get consumed pretty quickly.

Also - I think the comments on this post are the best part of the whole show - hysterical!!!

as a recovering alcoholic it would be nice to see a host/hostess gift guide not related to alcohol... and within a reasonable price range.

But I like the wine...

Call me simple, but I bring flowers wherever I go. I usually find that the busy host/hostess meant to go out and get flowers but didn't have time because [insert catastrophe here] happened. Nothing to take care of or store and perfectly acceptable for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Another cool idea is a simple group game like Apples to Apples, Bananagrams, or Sorry!. These fit into that idea of "could enjoy now at the party, could enjoy later."

This is a tough one! A $15 bottle that the wine guy tells me is terrific and that I can afford and my host will appreciate and that will actually be used, done up in a pathetic mylar bag with that cheap curling ribbon...or a $60-$200 gadget that will end up in a drawer once the novelty has worn off but makes me seem all creative and hip (as long as I don't wrap it in a mylar bag). Help - I don't want my gift to suck!

Hi to the 1% and those struggling with the terror of appearing conventional!

And I can't fathom spending the time to craft spherical ice cubes one at a time. For $200, it should pop out 32 at a time without any extra work from me.

Best hostess gift ever: Stay late or bring coffee the next morning and help me clean up.

First, agree with everyone on the crazy price of an ice maker! No thanks.

Second, I kind of love the Graffiti Cocktail Shaker (as I don't have one) but it's not listed on CB2's site, so AT might want to update their link to Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OIN7XQ/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=7735977431&ref=pd_sl_3i1zf1wmic_e

The idea behind the giant ice ball maker is that a single giant piece of ice takes longer to melt than many small pieces.

Here's a set of 2 silicon ice ball molds for $13:
http://www.amazon.com/Jumbo-Ice-Ball-Silicone-Molds/dp/B00656SJ2O/

Oh, I just looked at the ice ball photo again, the $200 model is a mini version. Hah! Well, you can also get plastic mini ice ball trays for $8.

A cool bottle opener is a nice gift, but I'd also bring a bottle of wine.

And does anyone REALLY use those silly overpriced rocks in their scotch? I'd rather have the Macallan. I think most scotch drinkers would agree....

Yeah really.. Absolut isn't that tasty.. How about some Grey Goose instead. ;)

$200 to ball your ice?

It's a nice sentiment that some hosts don't want a gift, but I think it's a good rule to always bring something.

I would worry about bringing something expensive though since, based on the comments here, it's hard to settle on something that everyone would like.

I like a bottle of wine. Even if, unbeknownst to you, the hostess is sober, she can still serve it back to you.

The company Muji sells ice-ball makers for $10. A much more reasonable price than $200...http://www.muji.us/store/silicon-ice-ball-maker.html

Man, if you're willing to drop $200 on a host gift and that dumb ice maker is the best you can come up with, you lose. I'd put it on eBay as soon as the party ended.

I'm in agreement with most of the comments-these items are over the top and would be wasted on me as a host. Wine is as well, as we don't drink or serve it in the home. But most people who know me know that, I don't bring it.
I have received lovely useful host gifts that I'd recommend over anything listed here.
1-Just a few weeks ago I was brought fresh cider. We actually ended up drinking it all before dinner was even served.
2-Flowers. Flowers always are welcome here.
3-Music. This may not work for everyone, but we are big on music in my home and in my social circle. Years ago a friend brought a new album that I and everyone loved. Now, someone almost always comes to my affairs with something that I can plan and/keep.

I don't think anyone has ever spent more than 10 dollars on these things, probably significantly less (i.e. the price of ripping a mix cd)

Consider me part of the consensus; these are overpriced and impractical host gifts. As a host, I love it when guests bring wine or a beverage they will like and as a guest I usually bring flowers or a drink to share. It's a tradition for a reason - it's practical.

I think I'll get one of the cheapie ice ballers, just for the cuteness of it!

I would cry if someone spent that much money buying me an ice-making machine, whiskey rocks or wine carrier. Would much rather receive a great bottle of wine or whiskey!

I'd suggest donating the $$$ to a local shelter and sticking with the cheap wine.

These suggestions are not at all practical. A beverage, plant, or something homemade are the best options.

I host all the time, and if anyone ever brought me any of these things (all of which are horrifically expensive and pretentious), I'd be worried about the future of our friendship. A nice bottle of wine never goes amiss - and if we don't drink that evening, it just means that I'll have one more for future parties or to take someplace myself. Let's not overthink this stuff, people.

French Cognac: who tried it, would appreciate, who never did, but thanks to you will, also would
doesn't have to be expensive - TJs have good ones

You can show up to my house with a bottle of wine in a mylar bag any time.