15 Entertaining Essentials Every Host Needs

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I’ve been wanting to share my entertaining essentials with y’all. Sean and I entertain a lot around here. Couple that with living in the South, and it’s safe to say we’ve got this down to a science.

Here are all my must-haves for seamless entertaining. The best part? All of these essentials are inexpensive. I’ve even found some amazing, entertaining pieces while thrifting.

Today, we are talking about entertaining essentials that you invest in once and use year after year. I encourage you to consider how you like to entertain—is it formal dinners? Casual app and finger foods? Maybe it’s backyard BBQs all the way. This should give you some clues as to what you need most.

1. Dinnerware

This is an obvious one, but it needs to be mentioned. My trick with dinnerware and serveware? Buy all your pieces in ONE color. For me, it’s white (or some call it whiteware). I chose a set of white dishes and various sets of white serveware. This way, the table looks coordinated and works regardless of the holiday or season.

You might be thinking, but that’s so boring! And I can tell you it’s really not. Depending on your mood, you can dress up the table with candles, centerpieces, and patterned cloth napkins.

I also love to throw in a festive plate or two, such as pretty transferware, to the mix. Or, use some interesting seasonal mugs to hold party straws, cutlery, or coffee stirrers. It’s even better if this item is thrifted or passed down to you. I love incorporating that stuff, as it can be a conversation starter. (Here are some other items you should look for at thrift stores!)

Walmart and Target have fantastic dinnerware sets for 12 for not much money.

2. Flatware

Unless you are serving finger foods only, we need flatware! I know it’s trendy to have fancy gold flatware right now, but I’m a traditional girl, and I love, love, love the old style of silverware—especially if it’s vintage-looking and has a patina.

3. Platters, Serveware, Casseroles

These are essential for serving food or setting up a buffet-style dinner. I’m talking about large platters for turkey or large entrees and big bowls when serving a big salad or pasta dish (or a ton of chips for Cinco de Mayo or Football Games).

Also, having one nice, large 13×9 casserole dish is helpful for serving lasagnas and casseroles, and it can go from oven to table without any fuss.

You will get so much use out of these items. I have a collection of white serveware that I keep on my sideboard. I pull them out for casual dinners with just the four of us. As I stated before, everything matches and looks coordinated because it’s all the same-colored dishware.

4. Cloth Napkins

Yes, you can buy really nice paper napkins. But cloth napkins are so much more elegant and better for the environment. Something about using a cloth napkin makes you feel extra special.

Homegoods, Walmart, and Target are my go-to stores for pretty cloth napkins. And IKEA has lightweight tea towels that make fantastic napkins. But you can also make your own napkins (no-sew) if you are up to it.

5. Chargers

I prefer chargers over placemats anymore. Placemats get crumbled, shrink, and look dingy after a while. I don’t know; maybe that’s just me. I love chargers, though. You only need to invest in one set. These versatile galvanized or woven ones go with any holiday or season and can really dress up your table.

6. Salt and Pepper Shakers

It’s best not to assume our food is absolute perfection and guests don’t need salt and pepper unless you are a professional chef. Keep a lovely set out on the table, and your guests will feel right at home.

7. Small Pitcher or Gravy Boat

I have a confession. I hate gravy. The color is off-putting, and I just can’t. But I won’t deny my guests. Sean said gravy is almost his favorite thing at Thanksgiving, behind the turkey.

A gravy boat (or small pitcher) can hold gravy, salad dressings, creamer, etc. It’s nice to have and makes things feel a little more classy than just throwing down an ugly bottle of Wishbone Italian dressing. Try to keep this in the same color family as everything else.

8. Cheeseboard

Cheeseboards are not just for cheese. They can hold dessert, make a suitable tray for cutlery or small bowls of things, and bring warmth to your table like no other. Again, Homegoods is chock full of these!

In fact, I’m a big fan of a semi-homemade approach to entertaining. I don’t want to spend the whole time behind the stove, so I love to create a large dessert board filled with small pastries, cookies, fruit, and candies on a cheeseboard. Trust me, your guests won’t miss a thing.

9. Tiered Server / Pedestals

These were never even on my radar until I got one of these three-tiered servers. When you’re serving food, especially a buffet, using tiered servers and pedestals helps to vary the height of the food. This keeps things visually interesting and makes for a better presentation. You can also use pedestals and tiered servers as dessert boards and cheese/nibble boards (nibble boards are a nod to Erin French from The Lost Kitchen.)

Oh, and by pedestals, I mean cake stands, essentially.

10. Large Pitcher or Drink Dispenser

I use our pitcher regularly for water and sangria (when I make it). A lovely pitcher of water with fresh lemon slices on the table is beautiful; you will use this again and again. Another idea is having a classy drink dispenser.

11. Hurricane or Taper Candle Holders

A table feels a bit bare without some beautiful lit candles adorning it. I love taper candles and a lovely pillar candle in a glass hurricane.

With candles, some say scented, others say unscented. Whatever your choice, candles are essential and help set the mood and provide ambiance. You can also try a Pura diffuser for a welcoming scent. Keep the intensity low so you don’t give anyone a headache or cause an allergic reaction. But the candles look pretty and feel like a party.

12. Glassware

I feel like I’m adding “ware” to every word in this post, lol. Anyway, whether you drink beer, wine, or other alcohol or not, you still need something for people to drink out of.

I fell in love with these stemmed goblets from IKEA and always pick up a few more whenever I stop. They are great for water, wine, or whatever you want to put in them, and they are cheap as heck. You can dishwash them (they are short and fit in the top rack!), and they can even be stacked in your cabinets to save space. They have proven to be very durable and great for various beverages. You can even put dessert in them!

Coming from an Italian family, I will also note that you don’t *need* wine glasses. Yes, they are nice, but they are not essential. My Italian grandmother drank wine out of basic water glasses, and frankly, that feels so much cooler and less fussy to me.

Please don’t ask me how many traditional wine glasses I’ve broken in the dishwasher. Yes, I get it – traditional wine glasses are beautiful, and there is something about holding them sometimes that makes you feel more relaxed. I’m just encouraging you to think outside the box.

Drinkware is a bit of a personal choice of the host because I’ll drink out of whatever the host or hostess wants to give me. If you are a big whiskey drinker, you might want a set of whiskey tumblers. If you drink a lot of sweet tea, maybe taller glasses are what you want. We also love these impression glasses—they have little thumb indents on the sides for easy holding.

If you serve a lot of wine, you might want to invest in some stemware and some decorative wine glass markers. Then, folks can keep track of their glasses.

13. Music

Is there anything worse than attending a party and sitting silently? I’m sure there is, but silence can be deafening. Music is a must-have. Grab your favorite playlist and an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, and you are set.

14. Ice Bucket

Ice buckets are a must-have for any entertaining setup because they keep your drinks perfectly chilled without the hassle of running back and forth to the fridge. Whether you’re hosting a casual BBQ or a fancy dinner party, an ice bucket adds a touch of elegance and convenience.

It’s all about creating a seamless experience for your guests, making it easy for them to grab a cold drink and enjoy the festivities. Plus, it gives them somewhere to throw their wine or beer when they arrive.

15. Low Vase for Centerpiece

A low vase is essential for your table centerpiece because it creates a stylish and inviting focal point without obstructing conversation. Unlike tall arrangements, a low vase filled with fresh flowers or greenery adds a touch of elegance and color at eye level, enhancing the overall ambiance of your dining experience.

It’s the perfect way to bring a bit of nature indoors, making your guests feel welcomed and creating a visually appealing table setting. Low vases are versatile and can be easily swapped out or updated for different seasons and occasions, keeping your decor fresh and dynamic.

Bonus: Powder Room Essentials

First, let me just say that a clean bathroom or powder room is essential. It should have extra toilet paper at the ready (a cute wicker basket can hold these), lovely hand towels (more than one), and some nicely scented hand soap. Bonus points for a small vase of flowers or greenery.

I also like putting a stack of pretty-wrapped bars of soap (Homegoods and Amazon sell them) on a tank tray behind the toilet or in the sink. They are just for show, but their scent escapes the wrappers, so the powder room always smells nice without the fire hazard of an unattended candle. (We all know Aunt Debbie can’t hold her wine.)

If you have a large party with many guests, you might want to invest in disposable hand towels. Again, Homegoods to the rescue here! There is nothing like washing your hands and then drying them on an incredibly damp hand towel that’s been used dozens of times before. Ick! I can’t be the only one who has had this lovely experience.

So that about wraps up this post. You will feel that much more relaxed having these entertaining essentials on hand and ready to go for your next get-together. And if you are going to a party, don’t show up empty-handed. We all know the effort it takes to host a party!

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