A stockpot with the dry ingredients for a favorite soup inside

Beautiful serving vessels are well and good, but it's hard to know what people want on their tables; a well-made cooking vessel with all the details that matter (for a stockpot, five-clad bottom AND sides, wide body and lid handles for carrying, generous size, durability) will last forever, see all kind of use, and go with everything. Tucking in a bit of what you'd make for them at your place acknowledges how much their hospitality has meant to you.