By Variety | Created at 2024-11-26 23:50:54 | Updated at 2024-11-29 10:48:05
2 days ago
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The best hosts know that their craft extends beyond the realm of the guest list, the food on the table, and the holiday at hand – it’s about creating an experience that feels effortless yet unforgettable. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or the party of the century, having the right essentials and thoughtful touches will turn a good host into a great one. The devil lies in the details — even the smallest touches have the power to elevate the experience and make guests feel right at home
From tabletop treasures (like these festive scalloped placemats) to seasonal aromas diffused through the space (this candle from Voluspa is our favorite), check out 10 hosting essentials to throw a Hollywood-worthy fête this holiday season:
Coming Soon New York Chopping Block
This vibrant chopping block by Coming Soon New York functions as both a vibrant cutting board that’ll brighten the mood when prepping food, and also as a charcuterie board that will delight guests right from the get go during the appetizer course of the soirée. It’s available in four different spunky color schemes – impossible to make a wrong choice here. It’s also made of chef-grade material, recycled from leftover solid-colored Chopping Blocks, so you can feel good about giving a sustainable gift this year.
Martha Stewart Highbrook 11″ Handmade Jadeite Glass Cake Stand – Ruffle Trim
A beautiful cake stand can elevate any gathering by serving as both a practical and decorative centerpiece. Love and labor goes into baking and decorating a cake, so it’s only right that the cake is presented on top of a worthy throne. Martha Stewart’s Handmade Jadeite Glass Cake stand with ruffled edges is both lovely and elegant, offering a sturdy base and impressive presentation for decadent desserts. Whether showcasing a birthday cake or an assortment of pastries, a host will be grateful for the gift that adds a refined finishing touch to the meal.
Ramona Wine Glasses – Set of 4
Glasswear has a unique ability to elevate any table setting, and these Ramona Wine Glasses from Anthropology are no exception. Made of handblown glass, it’s clear that extra love went into crafting each of these gorgeous, hourglass-shaped, color-tinted wine glasses. A gem of Anthropology’s modern, architectural kitchen collection, these glasses are sure to make any hour happier. You are guaranteed to brighten a host’s day by gifting them this unique set of wine glasses bursting with color.
Voluspa White Cypress,Large Candle Jar
Voluspa is the King of the Candle Industry, and for a good reason. Made of a clean burning coconut wax blend with an all natural wick nestled into an embossed glass vessel, each candle is a gift for the senses. You can’t go wrong by gifting a Voluspa candle, and White Cypress is the perfect scent to enhance any and all winter gatherings. This Holiday scent is classic yet contemporary, emanating a crisp walk through the winter woods. Check out more of the candles to buy (and gift) this year here.
Mark and Graham Leather Domino Set
Perhaps the most thoughtful of all the gifts on this list, a personalized, monogrammed game is the perfect gift for those who love entertaining guests. Mark & Graham sells most popular table games with the option for personalization, including Dominoes, Backgammon, Rummy, and Scrabble. Pulling out a game to play towards the end of a social gathering is a great way to foster camaraderie and healthy competition between guests, leaving them with a lasting memory of the fun they had at the event. The personalized touch will definitely leave a lasting impression on the lucky host that is the recipient of this gift.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
Aesop’s Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash is an easy win for a great gift to give someone who loves hosting. Besides being useful for the host themselves, who likely is getting their hands dirty as they prepare a feast for their gathering, this luxurious hand soap is sure to impress guests. Its aroma is citrus, woody, and herbaceous, and it leaves skin feeling refreshed and moisturized – it’s perfect for year-round use. A nice hand soap is something that many skip on buying for themselves, so they’ll be all the more thankful to receive this indulgent soap as a gift.
Sonos Era 100
The best speaker for hosting is the Sonos Era, currently $50 for Black Friday. The smart smeaker which delivers rich, full sound, with deep bass and crisp highs, while their innovative “Trueplay” technology automatically adjusts the sound based on your environment and the type of music you’re listening to, so tunes always come out crystal clear.
Where previous Sonos speakers only connected through WiFi, pairing the Sonos Move to your device is super easy over WiFi or Bluetooth. It’s also compatible with Apple AirPlay. This set comes with a charging base and you can also use a USB-C charging cable to power up.
Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven Outdoor
Every night is pizza night when you have a pizza oven handy. Pizza night gets an upgrade with this easy-to-use pizza oven, perfect for amateurs and connoisseurs alike. With the Pi Pizza Oven, currently $200 off, you can make wood-fired pizzas or bake with propane by adding on the gas burner.
Aerin Scalloped Placemats, Set of 4
These gorgeous, Santa Clause-red placemats give the perfect amount of festive touch for any holiday gathering, but are subtle enough to be used year-round. Designed in collaboration with style icon Aerin Lauder, they’re finished with decorative embroidery and feature scalloped edging.
Falcon Enamelware 3-Pint Jug
The second multipurpose item in this gifting series is Falcon’s minimalistically sleek 3 Pint Jug, which can be used to serve guests refreshments and chilled libations, or alternatively, as a chic vase for floral displays. Made of ceramic-coated steel, dishwasher-safe, and shatterproof, this jug that comes in 17 different colorways is as practical as it is stylish. A host will surely appreciate its versatility, as well as the touch of style it brings to the table, whether it’s used as a vessel for beverages or flowers.
