PRESENT COMPANY: 14 HOSTESS GIFTS WITH SUMMER APPEAL

Summer travels often include staying with friends. Friends like gifts, and being appreciated for their generosity. Be prepared for the next warm weather get-together or being a house guest with gifts that are personal, colorful and useful. Arrive with more than flowers or a bottle of wine. Your effort will stand out and hopefully garner a command performance next year.

Photo courtesy of Terrain
Try your best to hit the shuttlecock to someone; a good rally always boosts spirits. Four can play at this game, from Terrain.

Photo courtesy of Pick On Us

Embrace a hobby you or your friends love and incorporate it into a party theme or bring along as a gift to give. These fun cocktail stirrers from Pick On Us add an element of fun.

Photo courtesy of Horchow
For a nautical accent that is subtly seaside, bring along Horchow's Rope Cheese servers. 

Photo courtesy of Morris Kitchen
To ensure drinks flow freely, consider toting along a mixer to make cocktail hour worth it. Morris Kitchen's simply syrup flavored with natural ingredients will make children and adults happy. Add it to sparking water to create a kid-friendly soda or a dash of vodka for a kicky cocktail concoction.

 Photo courtesy of Julia B.

Wow your host when you show up with a personalized gift in hand. Julia B.'s custom house and home chez or casa embroidered napkins provide a sense of place, depending upon which color combination you choose. You can have them in 2-3 weeks so order them soon to have this summer.

Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Having elegant salt and pepper shakers on the table elevates even the messiest BBQ. Add a little bit of shimmer with Ralph Lauren's Wentworth Salt and Pepper Shakers. They have little handles making them look like mini beer steins.

Photo courtesy of Sferra

Casual checks, or gingham, as seen in Sferra's Piccadilly pattern linen napkins are summer-appropriate for inside or outdoor meals. They might just become your daily go-to for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Find them at Gracious Style, along with place mats to match.

Photo courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Oscar de la Renta's teak cheese board tray is an entertaining workhorse. Serve cheese, or use it to let steaks cool.

Photo courtesy of Minam

Pie and tart makers rejoice, here is a rolling pin that looks as great as it works. Minam's classic wooden rolling pin is available in 3 wood types, so choose the shade depending upon the rustic or modern kitchen it will live in.

Iomoi's customized canvas valet tray stores loose change and jewelry. Plus, it is easily portable to travel with. I love my tray with orange and pink stripes along with a low-key monogram.  It sits on my dresser to collect pieces I like to rotate out.

Photo courtesy of Serpent Sea

Add a bright pop of color with a woven recycled nautical robe doormat from Serpent Sea for enhanced curb appeal that anyone will find welcoming.

 Photo courtesy of Roberta Roller Rabbit

You can never have enough super absorbent, bright beach towels. With the addition of red and yellow fish, Roberta Roller Rabbit's Sardinia towels have their signature wide border.

 Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily

For the beach or favorite reading chair, Serena and Lily's light knit cotton throw with an orange border can easily ward off a chill.

Photo courtesy of Treillage

Summer is a time to surround yourself with greenery, so add some maidenhair ferns and myrtle to your orchid assortment. Treillage has a tole cachepot that adds a bit of rustic chic to a country home with a hand painted faux bamboo finish.