Hosting a stylish soiree requires the right tools to reduce stress and raise the evening. From pre-made cocktails to curated cheeseboards, hosts can rely on these design-forward essentials for a chic party season.
Decorative Serving Boards
Serving boards from Octaevo function as decorative objects when not in use. These polished resin trays feature graphic stripes and checkerboard patterns inspired by the Mediterranean. The handles allow the trays to be passed around easily during a gathering.
Available for £73 on Octaevo’s website, the trays channel the conviviality of culinary sharing cultures across the region.
Premixed Cocktails and Glassware
Martini fever remains a staple for party hosts, but manning the bar for made-to-order drinks is not efficient. Farm Shop offers a pre-made dill pickle martini that balances the umami tang of pickle brine with smooth gin and dry vermouth. The drink can be served straight from the freezer or kept chilled in an ice bucket.
For a non-pickle option, the brand offers a seasonally appropriate winter spiced negroni. Grey Goose and Henry Holland collaborated to produce a set that includes hand-blown martini glasses, a ceramic tray, and serving bowls. The serveware is made in London using a nerikomi technique that combines layers of clay for a marbled pattern. This collection costs £395 and holds all essential accoutrements.
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Mood Lighting and Accessories
Mood lighting sets the tone for the evening. La DoubleJ’s ‘Space Pillar’ candles come with a ceramic base that can be repurposed as a vase once the candle is finished. The candles burn for forty hours and are available in various colourways to match a table scheme. A set retails for £240.
DB Ceramics offers the ‘Tile’ matchbox, which features a hand-glazed tile top filled with white-tipped matches. These boxes, priced at £59, are designed for pride of place on the mantelpiece.
Curated Food and Drink
Contrast is essential for a successful cheeseboard. La Fromagerie provides a curated board featuring cheeses from locations like Spain and Nidderdale in Yorkshire. The selection includes exceptional oak honey with an intensely dark burnt umber hue. The founder, Patricia Michelson, selected these items to reflect places she has visited over the year. A cheeseboard starts at £93.
For snacking, Torres produces ‘Black Truffle’ crisps. These loaded crisps feature potato chips topped with ingredients like caviar and chives. Chef José Pizarro’s online shop also offers other party foods like Perello olives, Boquerones, and Manchego.
Glassware and Non-Alcoholic Options
Aaron Probyn offers versatile glassware for wine, cocktails, and water. Handcrafted from durable borosilicate glass, these glasses stack neatly to save cupboard space. The coloured glass stems are subtle and stylish. A set of two is priced at £45.
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Real’s slow fermented sparkling teas are a crowd-pleasing non-alcoholic option. The brand recently released a limited edition bottle of fizz, available for £14. Only 3,500 bottles were produced, making the drink suitable for special occasions.
Table Settings
A classic linen napkin raises a dinner party. Rebecca Udall offers napkins made from Belgian grown flax in a rich, earthy palette. The ‘Forest Green’ or ‘Deep Marsala’ options provide a refined take on seasonal colours. These napkins are priced at £18.
Polished steel cocktail picks from The White Company add a metallic gleam to a grazing spread. The reusable set of eight is designed to be gentle on food and requires a simple handwash. The set costs £25.
Papier’s stylish dominoes, such as the ‘Bramble Stripes’ set, provide a fun and organised game for guests. The set costs £40.
