With Memorial Day just around the corner, it’s about time to start enjoying longer evenings, warmer weather and the company of friends and family. Why not take advantage of those extra hours of daylight this season and make gathering over cocktail hour a summer tradition? Relishing the evenings with a cool drink in hand will become second nature with these 10 entertaining essentials.
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Make a Scene
Set the mood for a relaxing evening in your backyard with this string of 24 clear lights. Spanning 48 feet, this string of lights would look beautiful criss-crossed above a patio or among leafy tree branches. The vintage-style bulbs are included with the string, so you can start enjoying amazing outdoor ambience at home right away.
24-Bulb String Lights from Houzz
Elegant Appetizers
Make your canapés or sandwiches look even more enticing with this three-tier stand. Hand-finished and made of stainless steel, this stand will elevate any afternoon noshing to an event. With three tiers, you can present a variety of different small-bites at your party. This stand would also be a classic display for small desserts.
Pig-Out
Give your cocktail party a dose of playful charm with this pig-shaped cutting and serving board. Made of acacia wood, with a solid and thick form, this serving board features markings showing the different cuts of pork. Cheese and cured meats can be cut and displayed right on the board, and the tail loop can be used to hang it up when not in use.
Pig Cutting and Serving Board from Houzz
Pop of Color
Brighten up your gathering with this set of six colorful glass tumblers. Handmade in a traditional Venetian factory, these versatile glasses can hold anything from wine and cocktails to your favorite soda or juice. Sporting a variety of colors, these glasses have a distinctly summery look and they’ll make it easy for your guests to remember which glass is theirs.
Carnevale Tumblers, Set of 6 from Houzz
Naturally Chic
Protect your table from drink rings and spills with this set of four mango wood coasters. Made from wood with a natural finish, these coasters will give your spread a relaxed, tropical look. Perfect for everyday use, but stylish enough to use for a special occasion, this versatile set is meant to last -- summer after summer.
Mango Wood Coasters, Set of 4 from Houzz
Iced Tea Party
Keep your guests refreshed and hydrated with this glass iced tea carafe. Simply drop in your favorite tea leaves, along with herbs or slices of fruit, and let brew in the fridge or in the sun. The lid filter will strain the tea as you pour -- perfect for effortless entertaining.
Perfect Perch
Endlessly versatile and so trendy, this counter stool will help you host an afternoon fête with ease. Made for both indoor and outdoor use, this chair would be just as fitting in the backyard as it would be in the dining room. These chairs can also be stacked for convenient storage and would be great to have on hand in case extra guests show up, no matter the event.
Factory-Inspired Counter Stool from Houzz
A Moveable Feast
Easily carry your delectable spread of appetizers to the party with this acacia wood tray. Featuring flared sides with handles, this tray is perfect for arranging bite-size snacks, utensils and napkins -- and then carrying it wherever your group happens to be enjoying themselves. With a smooth, flat surface, this tray can even be placed on the ground during a picnic, to provide a safe place for drinks and plates.
Snacks on Sticks
Keep your guests entertained with this set of two arched platters for displaying skewers or toothpicks. Each white ceramic arch has 26 holes, which can hold kebabs or other skewered foods that your guests can easily pick up. And with their curved shape, these arches will fan your hors-d’oeuvres in a decorative pattern, making even some simple grilled vegetables or cubes of cheese look celebratory.
Arched Platters, Set of 2 from Houzz
Just a Bite
Ease of eating is important at a cocktail party, where guests will likely have a drink in one hand and an hor-d’oeuvre in the other. Make your canapés or chunks of fruit and cheese even more enticing with toothpicks at the ready. This tray’s striped watercolor design and fish toothpick holder give off a playful, beachy feel. And with its attractive, curved and narrow shape, you’ll be surprised how quickly those stuffed mushrooms will disappear.
