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1. A felt letterboard to customize a welcome message to your guests or display what's on the menu for one of your epic dinner parties.
2. A linen crossback apron for when your guests arrive early and you're still cooking. Instead of having your fancy hosting outfit covered in foodstuff, put this on to catch all the splatters and spills. There's even pockets!
3. A 16-piece set of white porcelain dinnerware to replace your hodgepodge of plates, bowls, and cups with something more cohesive. You can set a minimalist table with just these and some simple flatware and glassware, or dress it up with fun, colorful textiles and serverware. Pro tip: White plates are the perfect backdrop for 'gramming food pics.
4. Or a more colorful 16-piece dinnerware set if you want something with a little red hot pizzazz.
5. A TableTopics game, because sometimes it's hard to get the conversation going once everyone is seated. This is a collection of 135 questions covering a wide range of topics.
Promising review: "I bought this set after having received the 'dinner party' edition as a gift. It is a great icebreaker at any gathering. I took my 'dinner party' set to a holiday gathering to share some fun conversations. It was an instant hit. So I have purchased this original set for our hostess on that evening. The nice thing is that it isn't a game that demands scoring or a specific time. It is simply conversation starters." —Teej
Get it from Amazon for $23.48 (check out all the editions).
6. A complete 12-person flatware set so all your place settings are cohesive and cover all the bases. You definitely need this if you're the type of person to have 10 or more people over for dinner.
It includes 12 dinner forks, dinner spoons, salad forks, steak knives, butter knives, and tea/dessert spoons, along with a serving spoon, slotted serving spoon, pie server, butter spreader, and ice cream spoon.
Promising review: "I am so impressed with this flatware set. I was worried that they would feel light or cheap due to the price, but they don’t feel that way at all. This isn’t one of those good-for-the-price moments. This is a GOOD flatware set, the price is just a bonus. We’ve been using them for over a month now and still haven’t seen any rusting. So impressed." —Allie Williams
Get a set of 77 pieces to serve 12 people from Amazon for $50.99+ (also available in black, as well as in 29- to 65-piece sets).
7. Or a 49-piece gold flatware set if you want something with a little bling. This set includes enough utensils for eight people, is dishwasher-safe, and will add a big dose of glam to your tablescape.
8. A jar of edible cocktail glitter to instantly add sparkle power to any drink you make. There's a bunch of colors to choose from, and the tiniest bit goes a long way.
Bakel is a small business established in 2016 that specializes in edible glitters for food and drink.
Promising review: "Love this product, it's great for adding shimmer to anything liquid! A tiny bit goes a long way, for one cocktail I just dip a fork (don't even scoop anything) and mix it in and get a great shimmer." —Spring
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in 17 colors).
9. A charcuterie board set to keep guests occupied while you finish cooking. We've all been there. You give yourself ample time to finish a recipe, but the meal still isn't ready by the time your dinner guests arrive. Have them wait it out while noshing on delicious cheese and crackers.
10. A classic wooden salad bowl that is simple enough to also hold fruits, chips, you name it! Everyone host needs a big wood bowl, you know?
11. A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey to drizzle on everything from fried chicken to pizza and more. This viral sensation is a yummy sweet-heat combination of honey infused with chili peppers to add just the right amount of kick.
Check out our Mike's Hot Honey review!
Promising review: "I saw this honey in a BuzzFeed article and I’m so glad I did. I use this honey on everything — waffles, as a glaze on chicken, in lemon tea. The options are endless. Nice flavor with a little heat that’s not overwhelming." —Samantha
Get it from Amazon for $10.49.
12. A set of three flameless flickering candles to add a bit of mood lighting to your tablescape without the risk of a rowdy guest accidentally tipping one over and starting a real fire. You control these with a remote, so you have the freedom to adjust the brightness and turn them on and off with the press of a button.
Check out a TikTok of the flameless candles in action.
Promising review: "I bought the gold glass candle set. It's almost iridescent gold and looks very elegant. The flame actually moves back and forth. I have mine set to come on in the evening and go off after four hours. The remote allows you to control the brightness of the candle, set a timer for auto on and off, and you can control how bright you want the actual candle inside the glass. I love them and plan to buy the gray glass set for my bedroom. Buy them, you will love them!" —Tammy B.
Get them from Amazon for $20.99.
13. A veggie chopper to cut way down on prep time so you can spend more time with your guests when they arrive.
Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper, which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food, and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four colors and four sizes).
14. An automatic spice grinder for giving you the perfect amount of freshly ground spice — from preparing meals to plating them. No wrist cranking required.
Promising review: "I'm so glad I ordered one of these after I read about them on Oprah's list of favorite things for 2022. As billed, it's so attractive and can sit on your counter, so easy, the charge lasts so long and the interchangeable pods rock! It's easy to add freshly ground flavor and fresh pepper is sooo much better than from the shaker. It's so easy to adjust the grind and the color selection is fantastic. What a great hostess gift for the holidays. I love mine." —Sasha
Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in four colors; comes with grinder and two interchangeable pods).
15. An electric wine bottle opener so you don't have to struggle to open a bottle. You can open 40 bottles on a single charge.
16. Or a silly but practical 2-in-1 bat bottle opener to open vino or beer with ease. Wine culture can be so serious, so show yourself and your guests that it really doesn't have to be.
17. A wine decanter that doubles as a work of art — it's so beautiful! Wine needs time to breathe after it's been hanging out in an airtight bottle for years, and a decanter is used to help aerate wine. This one's flat-bottomed design makes for maximum aeration, which means your merlots, cabernets, and pinot noirs will be ready to drink in no time.
Promising review: "I love this decanter! Firstly, it was packaged safely in molded styrofoam, so it arrived intact and on time. Secondly, the decanter has become a focal point of our hosted dinners. It is pretty to look at and does its job in letting the wine breath. Amazon will suggest other items such as a decanter drying rack or cleaning brush, but they are not needed. It's easily cleaned with soap and water, and I use a regular bottle brush to swish away any spots needing attention. It's easily dried in the dish rack (because of the shape, you will have to rotate once to ensure all of the water is out of the bottom). Great buy, and will consider for future gifts!" —KG
Get it from Amazon for $47.49.
18. However, a red wine stain remover if someone (including, ahem, yourself) makes an oopsie and spills red wine all over your tablecloth.
19. A set of four wineglasses made in the Czech Republic (the Czech are known for their glasswork!) to seriously impress your wine enthusiast dinner guests. There are two sets available — one for white wine and one for red. Good design is the details, people!
20. Or an absolutely beautiful set of handblown colored wineglasses if you want your vino's vessel to have a main character moment.
Estelle Colored Glass is a Black woman-owned small business offering luxury glassware that's vintage-inspired.
Promising review: "I had heard about these and was happy to see them at Anthro. Beautiful. Yes, they are pricey, but they are stunning and unique. Can’t wait to entertain with them." —Jenniferinsd1
Get the set of six from Anthropologie for $185 (available in the vibrant style shown above and also a pastel style).
21. And a pack of floral wine charms so that guests know which glass belongs to whom.
22. A linen tablecloth that looks way more expensive than it is. The neutral tones mean it'll go with nearly any style of decor, but especially the popular modern farmhouse style.
23. Some washable round placemats that'll take up less space on your table than traditional horizontally-shaped ones. And no worries if they get covered in foodstuff, just give 'em a quick rinse in the sink and then toss them in the wash.
24. A set of cloth napkins to elevate your at-home dining experience. These look so much nicer and are so much more environmentally friendly than single-use paper towels.
25. A mini bar cart so you can have a well stocked bar even if you're short on space. It has a rack under the top for storing six wine glasses and five wine bottles, and is on casters for easy moving.
26. A cocktail shaker set if you're into customizing cocktails for each guest. And if, for whatever reason, you need a little inspiration, this set comes with 20 cards of the most popular cocktail recipes.
27. Or a cocktail machine if you want a plethora of drinks to choose from but don't want to master the skill of being a DIY bartender. With the push of a button, you and your guests can have a cocktail in hand. Just insert the drink capsule of your choice, select strength and press mix, and boom, it pours you the perfect drink.
Promising review: "It is just amazing. The quality of beverages is fantastic — a strong range and each one is really delicious. Easy to use, levels of strength is so cool and everyone loves to make their own drink! We did a Bloody Mary bar with it and it was a HUGE hit!!!" —kelly
Get it from Amazon for $320.
28. A countertop ice maker so you never have to drop everything to make a run to the corner store for bags of ice. This tiny but mighty machine makes nine ice cubes in six to eight minutes and comes with a handy basket and scoop for easy fetching.
29. A set of Moscow Mule copper mugs to have a showstopper of a mug for the world's best cocktail (or any mixed drink, really). Not only do these keep your drinks ice-cold from first sip to last, but their gleaming aesthetic also serves up a hefty dose of style.
30. A set of cylindrical champagne flutes so you can drink your bubbly in style. These have a very modern shape that goes with nearly any style of place setting.
31. A mini fridge perfect for keeping cold drinks accessible to your guests without them needing to rummage through your real fridge. This little fridge measures 4.4 cubic feet and includes can organizers, adjustable shelves, and even a drawer at the bottom for things like lemons and limes. It's also suitable for outdoor use.
32. A three-speed Bluetooth record player that looks as good as it sounds. If you're in the mood to host a lo-fi dinner party, this is the sleek companion your vinyl collections needs.
Promising review: "My girlfriend always wanted to buy vinyl records but we weren't able to because we don't have a vinyl player. I've decided to get this for her. She was so happy as soon as she opened it. It also has additional features other than playing vinyl records. It adds a modern feature by having Bluetooth connectivity so you can use it as a wireless Bluetooth speaker. The wood finish is perfect for our living room even though I don't think it is a real wood. I'm really happy with the sound this thing produces. It has stereo speakers which is very great since it can easily fill a medium-size room. Overall, I'm very glad I was able to find a good vinyl player for my money with some added features." —Viky
Get it from Amazon for $89.99.
33. A pack of five Swedish dishcloths so cleanup is still a pretty affair. A single sheet outperforms 17 rolls of paper towels. Plus, they're odorless and biodegradable.
34. A portable mini projector that uses LED lights to deliver 1080p full HD. Invite the gang over for a movie night and then impress them with your crystal clear projection of the latest batch of Hallmark romcoms.
35. A handheld milk frother to unleash your inner barista. Now, when it's time for dessert, you can offer your guests a cappuccino or latte (or just some coffee with some foamy milk).
36. A set of two heart-shaped bowls to serve up love with every dish. These charming bowls are just the right size for decadent desserts or stylish starters. Plus, their adorable design will have everyone Instagramming before they take their first bite.
37. A pair of extra-long oven mitts so you never again burn your forearms when you're trying to pull something out of the oven.
38. A Hamilton Beach stand mixer if you've been so inspired by The Great British Bake Off that your friends have nicknamed you Paul Hollywood. From mixing batters to kneading doughs, this thing has you covered.
39. Or a cordless KitchenAid electric hand mixer that can make everything from cookie dough to whipped cream, but without the bulk of a traditional mixer.
40. A three-tier collapsible cooling rack so you can cool down dozens of baked goods without taking up much countertop space.
41. A bottle/jar opener, because who has time to open jars these days? In this economy? With these wrists?!?
Promising review: "This thing is amazing. Saw it on TikTok, haha! I struggle to open things and this uses minimal effort. You wouldn't know it's under my cabinet." —Carrie Comer
Get it from Amazon for $11.25.
42. A set of two handpainted oyster salt and pepper dishes so your special salt and pepper can take center stage on your table. The spoons are included!
43. A rustic wooden stand that'll hold your cookbook so you'll be able to follow along with any recipe hands-free. It keeps your kitchen countertops tidy, so if guests are lingering in your kitchen they can check out your recipes without needing to sift through a pile of printouts or cookbooks.
44. A colorful Lodge Dutch oven that you can cook an entire meal in from start to finish! You can literally use it to marinate, cook, bake, refrigerate and serve. This thing is ready for the spotlight.
Promising review: "I have been experimenting with beef and pork roast meals with this. I LOVE it. There are no scorch marks on the bottom after cooking. The cast iron spreads the heat out so effectively that your entire contents are at nearly the same temperature with no hot spots. Indeed, this device is very heavy. That is what makes it work so well. I have used it on my gas stove in the oven and on a top burner, both methods have worked very well." —quiet bells
Get it from Amazon for $79.90 (available in 20 colors)
45. A Wi-Fi sign so your guests don't have to keep asking you for your network name and password. The house is made of a dry-erase board, so whatever you write isn't permanent — perfect for those of us who change our passwords on the regular.
46. A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker to whip up an easy ice cream–like dessert so you have more time to chat with your dinner guests. It even comes with a book of 36 recipes in case you're in a pinch.
Check out this soft-serve maker in action on TikTok!
Promising review: "I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it, I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally, this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best-tasting fruit ice cream ever. It’s easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." —DMCKAY
Get it from Amazon for $36.99.
47. A cake stand that lights up so your homemade (or store bought, I'm not judging) cake so you don't have to sacrifice your mood lighting just to show off your dessert's decorations.
Promising review: "I didn't know what to expect ordering this, but I was so pleasantly surprised. The stand is easy to assemble, and it is beautiful. My husband did not expect it at all. This is a perfect way to make a homemade cake seem even more special or take a bakery cake up a notch. You can even pack it with you and take it to a restaurant. It does not come with batteries so make sure that you have two AA batteries ready to go." —Emily Woolsey
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
48. A rechargeable electric lighter so you can light all your candles with minimal effort, no box of single-use matches required. This lighter can be used 500 times on a single charge and can be charged 500 times before it needs to be replaced, so basically a lifetime.
Heather, a BuzzFeed Shopping team member, loves this. Here's what she has to say: "I'm obsessed with candles, so it was a no-brainer for my husband to gift me this surprisingly super-fun gadget for Christmas. It's really simple to use and charge, and it really works! If you're someone who gets a thrill from RAW POWER this is sort of the product for you. No, it's not a super-intense gadget, relax, pyromaniacs, but it does buzz and produce a burst of electricity that I personally find exciting. AND I'll never have to buy another lighter again! Stop burning your fingers on matches and pick up one of these bad boys."
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in nine colors).
49. And a handmade ribbed candle if you want something with a little more pizzazz than your normal taper candles. The colors available are gorgeous and so trendy, and reviewers remark that they look even more beautiful in person.
Your friends when they get the hottest ticket in town, aka an invite to your next dinner party:
