Want to know the full list of hosting essentials? This is the only guide you'll need to follow.
You are going to learn all about the hosting essentials from hosting tips to proper table setting and more.
After learning about all these kittchen essentials, you're going to be an expert and extra prepared for your first time as a new host!
This post is all about must have hosting essentials every first time host should have.
Popular Hosting Essentials
Appetizers
1. Cheese Board
I never met a person who didn't enjoy being greeted by a cheese board or a charcuterie board! Both stone & wood are great options, depending on your serving style. Don't forget the petite knives for mess free serving.
2. Chip & Dip Set
Chip & Dip make a great appetizer, For larger gatherings, consider having two sets of chips & dip that could also be served together and match a color scheme!
3. Appetizer Plates
You'll need at least a dozen square or round appetizer plates, idealy 6"-8". I like to call these double duty plates! These plates can handle appetizers, salads, and even desserts, and save you pantry space!
4. Small Bowls
Small bowls almost always play a part in the appetizer portion of the meal, it's always good to have for small snacks like olives and nuts, and they also come in handy as a small sauce/ dip bowl.
Main Course
5. Serving Utensils
Oversized forks and spoons are always helpful when serving side dishes. For soups, get a ladle and a ladle holder! Preferably one not made from silicone.
6. Salad Bowl & Spoons
You can either go for traditional wood or you can always find unique pieces, no matter what you choose remember you want all your serveware to feel like it belongs on the same table and show cohesiveness.
7. Platters
A necessity for entertaining, mainly for plating the main dishes, consider getting one oval and one square / rectangle for serving options.
8. Large Pasta Bowl
Ideally not made of wood, think about classic porcine bowls, and very important: do not forget pasta serving spoons!
9. Baking Dish
Choose a nice baking dish that you could also serve on the table and feel good about it! Don't forget to get a heat protectant for the hot baking dish!
Dessert
10. Cake Stand
Playing around with the height of serving dishes adds such a beautiful dimension that flatters the presentation if done correctly. If you're worried about not having enough space to store it, consider getting a beautiful piece that you wouldn't mind seeing displayed on your kitchen counter!
11. Pie Plate
Make sure to purchase a presentable ceramic pie plate that can go straight from oven to serving! This will not only save you time, money, and extra dishes to put in the dishwasher
12. Cake Serving Set
It's not your everyday- use utensils but you will need it, and when you do it'll be there at your service!
13. Dessert Cups
This one is an extra touch, but if you have that extra space in your kitchen I highly recommend it! It's perfect for leaving your guests speechless.
Drinks
14. Water Pitcher
This is so basic but a lot of people miss it and end up offering all your guests individual cups of water and walking back and forth from the table to the sink.
15. Cream & Sugar Set
It's that extra step to make your guest feel super special and like you thought about everything.. ( well you did thanks to a special help from a friend hehe )
16. Bar Tool Set
A cocktail set can be the star of the show in an evening of hosting! Think about making a DIY cocktail station telling your guests what to put in the drink, this makes such a fun activity and you can always be playful with the name of the cocktails and the graphics you choose for it! I have to say this is definitely one of my hosting essentials!
For the Table
17. Butter Dish
There is seriously nothing better than when a host pulls out the butter dish! It's so beautiful and elegant, not to mention delicious. Getting a butter dish will help stay mess free and just serve it straight from the fridge to the table.
18. Salt & Pepper Shakers
If you want to go all out, get salt and pepper serving bowls with little spoons ( to keep it hygienist )
19. Gravy Boat
It's not only great for gravy but for steak sauces like cream & pepper, my personal favorite!
Now that we talked about what you'll need to be the perfect host, let's go over the basics of flatware layout and sizes!
Day To Day Table Setting
Formal Table Setting
Take those illustrations as the very basic “must haves” to have on the table but be creative with how you set up and decorate the table while keeping those basic “rules”.
You can play around with the color scheme, different textures, and decor! Try to not over clutter the table, and most of all have fun, experiment until you find a style that suits you.
Now you will be stress free no matter what type of occasion you’re hosting, with this Serveware collection you are prepared for all hosting scenarios possible, and making your guest feel extra special that you thought about every little detail, after all ..” God is in the details”
This article was all about hosting essentials