2017 Holiday Gift Guide: Delights for the Entertainer

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Gift time is my absolute favorite time of year! Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and more all mean plenty of opportunities for me to spoil family, friends and our pets with presents galore! Nothing gives me more pleasure then watching someone I love delight in a gift specially chosen for them.

Of course, gifting isn’t always easy. Sometimes you’re gifting someone you’re not too familiar with (say extended family you’re meeting for the first time or a friend you haven’t known too long). You don’t want to go overboard, but you don’t want to miss the mark either.

Luckily, I’ve got lots of gifting ideas! All of us have at least that one good friend who always seems to throw fun parties. This gift guide is devoted to them! Whether it’s a small gathering of just a few couples, a few galpals, or a large fete that inspires hiring a caterer and a bartender or two, this guide is full of holiday gift ideas sure to make an appearance at the next get-together like the beautiful Agate Quartz Serving Board ($498 + 30% off) shown above with the Nina Cheese Marker Set ($28 + 30% off).

 

 

** Note that the price of all items marked 30% off are valid the weekend of December 8-10, 2017 ONLY.

1 & 2 | Whether used as dinner plates, serving plates for appetizers, or decor in a quirky kitchen, the Nature Table Dessert Plate ($16 + 30% off)** are sure to be a conversation piece. Just as entertainers like it!
3 | Can you believe that there are people out there who don’t know about the wonders of the Latte Bowl Set ($24 + 30% off) yet? Help them out — get them a set sure to be used at many a party.
4 | Better yet, double delight them with coordinating (not matching) colors of the large size and the Mini Latte Bowl Set ($12 + 30% off). I received this one-two entertaining punch as a gift a couple of years ago myself and they still delight me to this day!
5 | For a little extra holiday glow, the Gilded Botany Dinner Plate ($24 + 30% off) has subtle shiny gold leaf worked into the design. Want a bit more of that festive feeling? Help your giftee line their dining table with glee courtesy of the Gilded Botany Table Runner ($58 + 30% off).

 

6 | I think it’s fair to say that I’m slightly obsessed with the Night Sky Mug ($14 + 30% off) which have just right ooey gooey design qualities for warmth on a cold winter night. Perfect for lounging with friends in front of the fire, or presenting dessert and coffee to round up a small dinner party.
7 | Along with the mugs, I imagine stacks of donuts or beignets delighting guests on the Night Sky Dessert Plate ($14 + 30% off).
8 | A cheese board like the Sissinghurst Castle Cheese Board ($58 + 30% off) doesn’t have to be used for cheese. It could hold little finger sandwiches, wrapped and toothpicked appetizers, crackers, or just be there for show.
9 | Another cheese board destined for more than just serving brie, the Festive Marble Cheese Board ($78-$118 + 30% off) is a significant piece that makes me laugh every time I see “Don’t Mind if I Do.” Who hasn’t said that over a buffet every now and then?
10 | Marble infused with some capiz shells makes the Nina Marble Cheese Board ($68 + 30% off) a stunning party serving piece, and the handles ensure there’ll be no spillage as it works the room.

 

11 | Help your party-throwing friends infuse a little humor in their next wine and cheese tasting night with the Little Mouse Card Holder ($8 + 30% off). These would also make very cute setting pieces! Just stick name cards inside the holders so everyone knows where they shall sit.
12 | A party doesn’t have to be big to be a grand success! Sometimes one wonderful friend is all it takes. Gift the Duet Tea For Two Set ($38 + 30% off) to subtly tell a friend you want to hang out with them 1 on 1 more often! If you’d like to see them a little less, perhaps the Tea For One Set ($34 + 30% off) instead? (Just kidding.)
13 | When guests see the Oleanna Pitcher ($78 + 30% off) coming towards them, they’ll know some great drink is on the way!
14 | One thing I have learned from my own parties is that having plenty of water on-hand is good hosting etiquette. Guests don’t quite know our homes as well as we do and may be unsure whether to get tap water, where the ice is, and so on. The Anastasia Drink Dispenser ($100) is a great tool to have on-hand for parties, ensuring guests can on their own quickly and easily quench their thirsts or cool down should things get unexpectedly warm without feeling like they’re imposing on your hosting duties.
15 | A party is the time to break out dishes a little beyond the ordinary, don’t you think? Guests are sure to admire the Estrella Dinnerware Collection ($10-$18 + 30% off) that has little tiny star-shaped cutouts along the edges. Dreamy!

 

16 | I’m quite taken by the designs, breaks and lines of Michael Wainwright’s collection for Anthropologie. The Truro Decanter ($180 + 30% off) would be a very thoughtful gift for someone you’re planning to spend a bit more on this year.
17 | The Truro Ice Bucket ($225 + 30% off), also from the collection, is about the prettiest way to present ice (or fruit, or cookies, or champagne, or any number or party delights) I’ve seen.
18 | My mind immediately goes to serving Sangrias when I see the Truro Pitcher ($120 + 30% off).
19 | If you’re trying to impress an impressive host or hostess with your gift, may I suggest the pricey yet stunning Agate Quartz Serving Board ($498 + 30% off)? At the other end of the price range if you want something equally elegant I own and very much recommend the Reversible Prep & Serve Board ($38 + 30% off).
20 | Any party with an open bar is sure to have plenty of open bottles of everything from Orangina to Bourdeaux. Help your host keep all your drinks fresh with the Geo Bottle Stopper Set ($49 + up to 30% off).

 

21 | Feeling generous this year? If you know someone who just moved into a new home and is looking for entertaining essentials, the Zephs Bar Cart ($200, also in white) is high on my personal wishlist. It displays alcohol yes but also makes a great dessert cart, general beverage cart, or display piece. Look at how lovely it is here!
22 | Of course, some people don’t want to have a bar cart sitting out at all times. For them, the beautifully crafted Marriot 2-Tier Round Bar Cart ($189) could double as a side table when parties are not yet on the horizon. Its small form factor makes it ideal for apartment living!
23 | The Gordon Wood/Metal Bar Cart in Brown ($200) is another piece that could be a bar cart or so many other things. It would make a beautiful plant stand or look great in the kitchen as a recipe book holder! Our kitties are voting for it to be a cat perch placed in front of our living room window when not in party use.
24 | While I’ve usually kept my bar carts in one spot in the past, for those hosts who want to move through the party with their beverages, the Riata Bar Cart ($250) is ideal and handsomely styled.
25 | Sometimes guests convene where you don’t quite expect them to in your home, or space limitations necessitate hiding your serving pieces away when not in use. The Tall Butler Tray Stand ($149-$169 + up to 30% off) is more than pretty enough to leave out at all times, but can easily stow away as needed.

 

26 | I often get asked what a good host/hostess gift is for a Hanukkah party. If your favorite Jews are also frequent entertainers, look for classic pieces with an earthy feel. I absolutely love the Feast Hammered Iron Serving Bowl ($40) for a Hanukkah party centerpiece!
27 | Double their delight with the gorgeous Feast Platter ($50)! It’s ideal for holding holiday treats.
28 | Crate & Barrel is one of the few stores to reliably come out with a beautiful Hanukkah collection each year. This year I’m loving their Happy Hanukkah Salad Plate (now $7) which is understated yet festive.
29 | But if you feel like your host/hostess might not get enough use out of a plate solely for Hanukkah, the Maison Cobalt Blue 20-Piece Dinnerware Set (now $226) nails the holiday’s color scheme.
30 | Many Jewish holidays and celebrations call for wine, meaning the Tour Wine Carafe ($100) would make a very thoughtful gift that would get plenty of use.

 

31 | Every host loves a good tray, and the shiny Lacquer Trays – Large Rectangle ($69 + up to 30% off) are really good trays!
32 | Sometimes a simple yet thoughtful gift impresses more than a large or expensive one. The Marble Bar Tools ($19 + up to 30% off) are absolutely delightful and would fit in well with nearly any decor style. They are marble-wrapped brass (shown) or copper.
33 | If you know an entertainer that likes to put out a huge spread from which you serve yourself at parties, help them keep the guests feeling welcome with the Metallic Plates with Stand, Set of 12 ($60).
34 | Whether it’s a Christmas toast or a New Year’s Eve one, entertainers will delight in receiving the Moya Champagne Set ($200) as a gift! Need more glasses? They’re also sold separately.
35 | Keep things simple and easy for guests when it comes to slicing their own cheese courtesy of the Wood Marble Cheese Slicer ($40).

 

 

What kind of gifts do you like to give or receive as an entertainer? You can see more gift guides here, and many more coming up this weekend!