Gift Better: Thoughtful Host Gifts They’ll Actually Keep Out All Year

by Kelli McCue

(Because a beautifully crafted game set outlasts wine, flowers, and candles—every time.)

There’s something special about being invited into someone’s home—a gesture of warmth, connection, and trust. And while it’s customary to arrive with a host or hostess gift, the go-to options have become predictable: another bottle of wine, a candle that may or may not align with their scent preferences, or flowers that wilt by morning. Thoughtful? Yes. Memorable? Not always.

What if your host gift could do more?

What if it could spark conversation, elevate a room, and bring people together long after the evening wraps?

That’s where Nesso comes in.

At Nesso, we believe everyday objects deserve to be beautiful. Our handcrafted Italian leather game sets turn timeless classics into art pieces designed to live openly on a coffee table, bookshelf, or console, inviting curiosity and play. Each game is crafted in Florence from premium Italian calfskin leather, refined with meticulous stitching, magnetic details, and a design sensibility rooted in quiet luxury.

In a world where homes are curated with intention, a Nesso game set becomes the gift they’ll actually display and delight in year-round.

Why Luxury Game Sets Are the New Go-To Host Gift

1. They blend functionality with design.

A game set that doubles as décor elevates both form and function. Instead of something that gets tucked into a cabinet, Nesso pieces become part of the room’s visual story—adding color, texture, and artisanal craftsmanship.

2. They feel unexpected and personal.

Most hosts aren’t anticipating a beautifully handcrafted game board. It’s the kind of gift that makes them pause, smile, and immediately place it somewhere special.

3. They’re designed to last.

Made in Florence with premium materials, Nesso game sets are the opposite of disposable. They age gracefully, evoke European craftsmanship, and only become more meaningful with time.

4. They invite connection.

A bottle of wine is finished in an evening; a game becomes a tradition. Nesso pieces encourage slow moments, friendly competition, and shared memories—exactly what hosting is all about.

Three Nesso Pieces That Make Exceptional Host Gifts

The Sebastien Backgammon Set – Large

For the host who appreciates the finer things, The Sebastien makes a statement. Crafted from Italian calfskin leather with brass-plated palladium clasps, this substantial piece includes 30 leather-wrapped playing pieces and four dice. Set it on a coffee table or shelf, and it instantly elevates the room. It’s timeless and quietly extravagant—ideal for those who host often and curate their homes with care.

The Ayden Backgammon Roll

Equal parts chic and practical, The Ayden is perfect for hosts who travel, retreat to weekend homes, or love versatile pieces. Lightweight and magnetic, it rolls up elegantly for storage or transport. Inside: 30 magnetic game pieces, four dice, and a doubling cube. It’s refined without trying too hard—an effortless gift that still feels incredibly special.

Luxury black leather travel backgammon set, shown unrolled, exposing leather backgammon board, with pieces and dice

The Jack Tic-Tac-Toe Board 

A playful yet sophisticated choice, The Jack is crafted from smooth Italian calfskin leather in a compact 6” × 6” format. Available in a variety of colors, it brings charm to any space—kitchen island, nursery, entryway, coffee table. It’s fun, it’s decorative, and it’s universally adored. For hosts who appreciate whimsy wrapped in luxury, this is the perfect pick.

Luxury leather tic tac toe board with white stitching. Shown in blue leather.

How to Present a Nesso Host Gift (Elevated but Simple)

  • Wrap thoughtfully in textured neutral paper and tie with a wide grosgrain or satin ribbon.

  • Add a personal note, such as:
    “For game nights, cozy weekends, and the many beautiful moments shared in your home.”

  • Suggest placement—hosts love styling ideas. For example:
    “This would look beautiful on your living-room console.”

  • Include a small pairing, like a small dish for dice or a matchbox-style notecard set.

These finishing touches make the gift feel intentional and connected to their home, not just the occasion.

The Final Word

A host gift doesn’t have to be fleeting. With Nesso, you’re gifting something meaningful, an object that brings beauty, utility, and joy into someone’s home every single day. It becomes part of their routines, their gatherings, and the little pauses that make life feel richer.

So next time you’re invited in, bring something they’ll admire, use, and keep out proudly.

Choose thoughtfully. Choose beautifully.

Choose Nesso.

 

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