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 eighteen years ago was made by Libbey!
For holiday 2023, I'm loving the modern (yet nostalgic!) farmhouse look of the new glass and acaciawood serveware pieces. The wood is beautifully marbled in color and grain - each piece is unique!
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.
Mary Macleod's shortbread is an extravagant and scrumptious thank you present for your favorite hostess! Attractively presented in reusable glass jars, pretty round tins, or lovely gift boxes, Mary Macleod's Shortbread cookies melt in your mouth and pair perfectly with a mug of medium or dark roast coffee. Gluten-free gift sets are also available.
Pictured (left to right): Round Cookie Tins, Gable Gift Box of Gluten-Free Cookies, Cookie Jar.
If you love hosting large gatherings with friends and family, it's a smart move to have a stash of board games for all ages on-hand. Winning Moves has many of the games that you grew up, including the beloved classic illustrations and pieces.
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 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!
It always surprises me that something as simple as maple syrup can taste very different, depending on where and how it is tapped. Premium syrups are just plain better. Runamok, a family-owned, Vermont-based company started with a foundation of premium, organic maple syrup and has now expanded to an array of maple and honey-based products. Husband and wife Eric and Laura Sorkin began tapping their woods in Cambridge, Vermont in 2009 and are now sharing their products with a broader audience. Try their infused syrups drizzled over pancakes, ice cream, or coffee drinks. For added fun, consider the Sparkle Syrup, which quite literally sparkles on your plate due to the addition of a food-safe pearlescent mica.
————–
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).