Generic gift that won’t go to waste if not used, other than wine, chocolates, flowers/plants

[OMGitsnotgood]

We have old friends (a couple, no kids) coming for supper on 23rd while they are in the area spending Christmas with family.
We don’t normally exchange gifts but I have a feeling that they will turn up with presents given the time of year and that we don’t see them very often.
DH’s view is that we are feeding them so that is enough. I’d agree with him if they bring standard dinner party gifts (wine/flowers/chocolates) but would be embarrassed to give them nothing if they come with more than that. And knowing them as I do I think there is every chance that they will.

I want to put something under the tree that I can give them if necessary, but not so specific to them that it doesn’t go to waste if not used.
If they lived locally I’d buy a Poinsettia as I love them anyway and have places I could put another one but they are travelling a lot between Christmas and New Year so that’s not practical, ditto flowers.
Fall back will be wine, chocolates or a candle but would really like to think of something more interesting if possible. Nothing too big or bulky
Thanks.

Box of biscuits or crackers?

Actually if I don’t come up with a better idea, a tin of biscuits might be good to use on coffee stops while they are travelling from place to place as they’ll be covering a fair distance over the festive period. Thank you. Still hoping for something more interesting as I’v failed to think of anything else x

If they have cats don’t give a poinsettia. They’re deadly to cats.

I think biscuits/shortbread or similar.

-scratch cards in their Christmas card
-costa voucher
-Nice hot chocolate
-Italian paneforte. (Its a chewy, dessert you have a slice of with coffee and its filled with nuts and dried fruit) 😋
-Choc dipped/nicer type biscuits

Your DH is right, you are hosting so it is usual that they bring a gift. You don't have to reciprocate. However if you really want to I like the biscuits idea.

Really good quality olive oil, and potentially balsamic vinegar too? Extra nice coffee?

How about a board game? Azul is beautiful and captivating. More ideas here: https://tabletopbellhop.com/gaming-advice/date-night-board-games/ I'm sure you could find lots secondhand too.

Or a recipe book? Specific to your local area, or referencing a trip you've taken together in the past.

Off piste, but: pocket-sized picnic blanket. They can shove it in their glove box and think of you when they stop on their travels. Match it with crackers or make a joke by adding folding travel mugs.
Random link, others are available. www.amazon.fr/pique-nique-Couverture-imperm%C3%A9able-portable-Activit%C3%A9s/dp/B073S5835H?th=1

Fancy condiments
Photo frame
A couple of nice magazines
Fruit bowl

What about travel mugs or take away cups and some biscuits as suggested,

Books.

As you don’t want anything too heavyweight I’d suggest picking two beautiful but slim volumes from somewhere like:

https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/

or

https://persephonebooks.co.uk/

so they’ll have one each to read on their travels. (And they’d be excellent standby gifts otherwise.)

Scratch card(s)
Desk air humidifier
Gift tea/coffee/hot chocolate set
Biscuits
A set of hand creams or lip balms?
You can also make a card out of their picture by adding a christmas background to it (here is a tutorial for that if you need one), printing it out and writing something nice on the back. That would be much more personal than a store bought card.

Something related to a shared interest, e.g. a book about something you all like, then just keep it for yourself if you don't exchange presents.

Urgh to fancy condiments - they’d definitely go to waste / be regifted in my house, no use for them. Biscuits however will always get eaten

Thank you for all the suggestions. I like the book idea, feels like a ‘proper’ present rather than a generic token gift. Initially, I discounted it as I don’t know what they have already. However, I know they both love cooking so will buy a recipe book I would use myself, so it won’t go to waste if we don’t exchange presents or if they already have it (in which case I will ask them for alternatives which I can have delivered to them in the new year.)
Thank you all for the ideas, especially the one that I’ve decided on.

Olive oil
Nice soap
posh nuts
posh condiments - I saw loads of lovely sets in Waitrose earlier

OP- for cookbook ideas, I like 'Ottolenghi's Simple'. I now have a cupboard full of preserved lemons, sumac, zaatar etc but its fun making something different.