Welcome to Metropolitan Mama’s Christmas Gift Guide for Party Hosts. Below you will find hand-picked selections of the best furniture, decor, serveware, glassware, lighting, games, activities, and accessories for people who love to entertain - both indoors and outdoors.
Whether you gift recipient enjoys hosting formal dinner parties, weekend brunch, high tea, or backyard barbecues, this list will help you find exactly the right gift.
In our family kitchen, we're on a mission to purge any aluminum and teflon pans from our collection. We prefer high-quality stainless steel, ceramic, or stoneware items - which are heirloom quality and have numerous health benefits. Emile Henry's Ultime Square Baking Dish is the perfect size for baking brownies, fruit crisps, or small casseroles. Plus, it's a lovely serving piece in its own right. Take from the oven to your table for a picture-perfect meal. Available in nine colors, all Emile Henry products come with a 10-Year Guarantee.
Libbey is a glassware company with a long history of producing lovely, translucent glasses, plates, prep bowls, and serveware. Since 1818, Libbey has become synonymous with glassware for parties. I'm fairly certain that the punch bowl at my first baby shower sixteen years ago was made by Libbey!
We are choosy about dinnerware and we adore Liberty Tabletop's American Bistro set. Made in the USA in the cheerful and sun-kissed city of Tucson, Arizona, these pure white dishes are sturdy, smooth, and elegant. When you pick them up, you'll be surprised by both the weight and the grace of each plate, bowl, and mug. When Tim and I got married twenty years ago, we chose white dishes on purpose and that was one of the best registry decisions we made. White dishes go with every kitchen and tabletop decor theme and can be seamlessly used for everyday meals or fancy dinner parties (even weddings!).
Liberty Tabletop is a brand that is committed to quality and patriotism. In fact, Liberty Tabletop bought Oneida in 2005 and it is now the only remaining flatware manufacturer in the United States. You can expect shiny, durable, and high-end flatware from Liberty. The spoons, knives, and forks in the Annapolis collection will add beauty to any table, while also being a pleasure to use.
We've ordered our Christmas photo cards from Shutterfly or Tiny Prints almost every year for the past ten years! They offer modern, stylish designs for each new year and there always seems to be a special promo being offered for 40%-60% off. Photo gift options include blankets, calendars, cards, magnets, and mugs.
If you're still using foil or parchment paper when baking (or spraying/buttering your pans!), it's time for a grand introduction. Silpat® baking mats have revolutionized baking in our home. These silicone, non-stick mats allow for cookies, scones, muffins, and baguettes to cook to perfection while minimizing and almost completely eliminating sticky clean-up! We love Silpat® and I have a hunch that your favorite baker or cook will too!
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Some of the products in the list below were sent to us to try. Other products are ones that we purchased ourselves or were given by family members and friends. Know that I will always provide both the pros and cons of each featured product. You are welcome to send any follow-up questions to me via twitter (I’m @stephsheaffer).