#entertaining

#entertaining

We independently select these products-if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Every year when the leaves fall from the trees and the weather turns crisp, I haul my fondue pot out from the back of my kitchen cabinet, purchase a borderline obscene amount of Alpine cheese, and prepare to host one of my favorite gatherings of the year: a fondue party. Fondue parties are comforting and convivial, the perfect way to embrace the it's-dark-by-5 p.m. season with soft lighting, cozy vibes, and a bubbling, communal pot of cheese at the center of it all.

I'm a certified sommelier, and I always keep a selection of wines on hand to serve my guests. You don't need a special reason to enjoy good Champagne or a nice Italian red wine. From grocery-store brands to small family-owned bottles, anything goes at my house. As a certified sommelier, when I entertain, I want to serve the perfect wines to match any meal, occasion, and person.

The holidays are quickly approaching and with them comes the eternal question: what's the best gift to give that's not already under everyone's tree? So forget cashmere socks or packing cubes (as much as we love them), and instead consider the type of present that pulls double duty: luxury game sets. We're not talking about a deluxe edition of Scrabble, here. We mean board games and card sets so elegant and chic that they can act as a statement design piece in someone's living room,

GENTLE READER: Make three signs that you can hold up when getting on the phone. The first reads, Quiet, Please. Important Source. The second says, Quiet, Please. Less Important Source, But Still Need to Hear. The last reads, Quiet, Please. None of Your Business. In addition to this but equally important Miss Manners recommends recruiting a fellow reporter or two who are willing to help shoo people out when the sign goes up.

When you're only cooking for yourself, the flavor of the meal is usually the main focal point. When you're cooking for company, however, the presentation becomes an equally important element. Impressing guests with the visual appearance of the dish is part of ensuring they have a memorable experience - not to mention, people tend to dig into the food with a lot more gusto when it looks good. As the final dish served, dessert, in particular, demands mindful plating.

Hosting a cocktail party can be challenging, though. It's up to the host to make sure that everyone's comfortable and having a good time, and it's easy to get wrapped up in the idea that things need to be perfect. They don't. We reached out to a number of entertainment and beverage experts for tips on how to make hosting a cocktail party easier, and they all emphasized keeping things simple and focusing on the guests rather than aiming for perfection.

Step back in time and into the kitchens of mid-century America, where no party would be complete without tiny morsels of food elegantly arranged on colorful plates to greet guests. In the 1950s, home entertaining was all the rage thanks to postwar prosperity and the rise of suburban living, and dinner parties became a cornerstone of middle-class American society. Hosts armed with cookbooks like "Betty Crocker" and "Good Housekeeping" perfected the art of elegant yet approachable hors d'oeuvres.

This season sees the release of big party-focused cookbooks, like Dan Pelosi's straight-to-the-point Let's Party and Brie Larson and Courtney McBroom's Party People, full of ambitious, themed spreads and tips for setting the mood through tablescapes. We also see books about how to throw less-formal gatherings, such as Hetty Lui McKinnon's Linger, Chelsea Fagan's Having People Over, and Samin Nosrat's Good Things.

Ina Garten has built her beloved reputation on making entertaining feel effortless, and her hosting advice is as timeless as her signature chambray shirt. Whether she's planning a casual brunch or an intricate dinner party, the Barefoot Contessa has a knack for taking the stress out of hosting while keeping every detail in mind. Over the years, she's shared countless tips (both big and small) that make gatherings look and feel more put together, personal, and, most importantly, enjoyable.

The Martha Stewart Wine Collection allows experienced and inexperienced wine connoisseurs to try some of her favorite selections in the comfort of their own homes.

This drink leans into refreshing whiskey drinks, adding a little bit of orange and fresh citrus. Would be a hit at a summer party.

Salad tongs and drink trays might not steal the spotlight, yet quality serveware is essential for transforming even simple tablescapes into professional displays.

Even the most lavish parties can feel incomplete without some snacks on the table. Small as they may be, those pieces of food are what keep the conversations flowing.

I bought these for a party and it was so easy to prep them and pop them into the fridge with the lid on. Same goes for storing leftovers afterward.

This stunning wood patio table with built-in coolers is possibly one of the most awesome outdoor accessories we've seen - and it's made entirely from scratch.

Yvonne Force Villareal describes her couch from a John Chamberlain exhibition as 'the root chakra' of her family, symbolizing comfort and connection.

Solar-powered outdoor string lights from Brightech create a romantic atmosphere for outdoor spaces, free from the constraints of power outlets, perfect for any occasion.

Who loves the idea of dishes as decor? I just bought the cutest dishes at Walmart - and they are SO affordable! I was actually more excited about this set of dishes for decorating shelves more than serving.