10 Entertaining Must-Haves Under $20 Slideshow
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1. Glass Pitcher
It's the one item every host or hostess should have. A glass pitcher for $19.95 at pier1.com will make any drink look festive on the table. Use it as a water pitcher or fill it with pink lemonade for a dose of color. It will even act as a vase, if you're in a pinch.
2. Silver Napkin Rings
Give a plain old napkin new life with these bright shiny napkin rings from Crate & Barrel. At only $3.95 a piece, a few of these will add instant shine to your table at little cost. Plus, their classic, sophisticated style can be dressed up with pressed linen napkins for a celebratory dinner or dressed down with flour sack towels for a casual, al fresco brunch outdoors.
3. Glassware Set
For the host or hostess building a set of dish and glassware, this eight-piece Marta barware set from cb2.com creates an instant bar for any party for as little as $17.80. Just add drinks, swizzle sticks, and your cocktail hour is covered.
4. Cake Stand
Hosting a birthday party? Elevate desserts, cupcakes, coffee cakes, or birthday cakes with a cake stand from Fishs Eddy that makes your sweet treats the center of attention. When you're done with the party, use it to display fruit on the kitchen counter (or elevate perfume and creams above your bureau).
5. Swizzle Sticks
Even serving up fancy cocktails doesn't have to cost a fortune! A package of swizzle sticks for under $5 from Oriental Trading makes everyday drinks look festive and add an unexpected twist to your party. They're just right for serving up some My Oh My Ty cocktails at an island-themed party.
6. Illy Moka Coffee
Do you enjoy an after-dinner espresso coffee when dining out but never seem to make it that good at home ? Think again. With Illy's new Moka Ground Coffee, you can brew it in your stovetop moka pot in mere minutes (no need for a fancy espresso machine). Believe me, your guests will thank you at the end of the meal.
7. Acacia Platters
Upgrade your cheese plate and serve cheese on this hand-turned and –carved acacia wood platter from Bed Bath & Beyond instead of ceramic plates. It's naturally resinous, so it resists stains, liquids, and odors, so you can serve anything from beets to stinky cheeses on it with no lingering odors. Serving apps like these with style (that you can carry from room to room) has never been so easy.
8. Bouquet of (Bodega) Flowers
Adding a bouquet of flowers to your table is one of the most quick and easy ways to add a stylish touch to your next dinner party — and it doesn't have to cost a lot. Grocery store flowers artfully displayed are a quick and cheap table solution. That $12.99 bunch of tulips at the corner store? Put each stem in a small vase or jar and arrange the vessels in the center of your table. It looks beautiful and is also easy on the wallet.
9. Napkins in a Fun Pattern
Another way to easily refresh your style is with a new set of table linens — and it doesn't have to be expensive. A set of four patterned napkins from Target will add style to your dinner party at a low cost.
10. A Good Bottle of Wine
Many agree a party isn't a party without a good drink of sorts. For those who like wine, great wines from around the world can easily be found for under $20. Whether you're serving steak or grilling chicken, we'll help you find the right wine to pair with your meal — then head to the wine experts at Zachys.com and search by price to find a bottle that fits your taste and budget.