SIX ITEMS EVERY HOST SHOULD OWN

Whether it’s a birthday gathering, special occasion or and impromptu festive get-together, keep these six items handy to help your event go off without a hitch:

1. A beautiful table cloth or fabric …for the bed

Yes, that’s right. It really starts with a quick spot for guests to drop their items as they arrive.  Most of us don’t have someone willing to stand at the closet to take everyone’s coats, so a quick drop spot like a guest bed is ideal.  A beautiful pre-loved tablecloth or large piece of lux fabric is a great hack to cover the bed! ( We like to use premium remnants from a fabric store for extra savings & style). It’s a great way to visually establish the party theme and help keep the bed cover tidy.

2. Great Lighting 
   

Lighting sets the mood of a party. String lights can provide the perfect way to frame a dance floor or seating area. Have a handyman, or a handy friend, help you string them in place. Flameless candles are ideal to add a pop of sparkle to any corner, or group a small cluster around a beautiful vase of simple flowers to quickly add extra glam to a table or the bar. 

3.  Storage baskets

These are the workhorses of a party. Storage baskets can be used to gather hostess gifts as guests arrive, be filled with greenery to add easy style, or be left by the door as the ideal spot to hold goody bags. They can even be turned upside down and topped with a platter to create height and visual interest at the food table.

4. Cocktail Napkins and Guest Towels

While adding the party logo or the guest of honor’s name is a fun way to capture the theme on a napkin, we also like having a set of solid color cloth napkins always on hand. And if you do want to use paper, we are fans of napkins made from sustainable, biodegradable materials like reclaimed cotton or bamboo.

5. Glassware
   

For an extra large party, renting glassware is a great choice. This, however, may not be an option for every get-together. Invest therefore in a set of standard wine glasses or mason jars. These are always great to seek out as a pre-loved find. You can even collect different shapes and styles to create an eclectic mix. Have a few wine charms or a wine glass pen handy too so guests can mark their drink. (Extra hack: being able to sneak a peek at a guest’s name on their glass keeps you in the know!) 

6. White serving dishes or platters

While colorful dishes are a beautiful way to dress up a table, white platters and serving dishes help let the food be the star. Gather a set in a few different shapes: rectangle, square, round or oval. Try to have at least two of each shape available to quickly create style and visual balance on any food table.