Kitchen Gift Guide: The Entertainer

A nice cup of coffee is the perfect way to finish off a wonderful party. But that 10-cup coffee pot isn’t going to cut it for larger affairs. Pick up a coffee urn to take care of your guests. Be sure to find something a bit stylish — you don’t want the end of your party to feel like a work meeting.

Nesco CU-30 Professional Coffee Urn, 6.8-Liter, Stainless Steel at Amazon.com

Every good hostess wants to spur interaction amongst guests, and this book is an excellent conversation starter to leave on your coffee table. If you are familiar with The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert, then you’ll love it’s whiskey equivalent.

The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All: Know Your Booze Before You Choose at Amazon.com

Who else could we pick but Martha? She is America’s most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher, and this is the ultimate guide to hosting succesful parties.

Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations at Amazon.com

Wine glasses are never a bad gift idea for an entertainer. Pick something with a little flair, or paint your own (if you are artistically inclined) or just put together a set of tasting glasses. We love the look and style of this collection by Riedel.

Riedel Wine Series Mixed Cabernet/Viognier Glasses, Set of 4 at Amazon.com

We love a beautiful cast iron pot for entertaining. Not only can you make a beautiful French dish (Julia would love it!), but the pot can go straight to the table as a serving dish. This will not only be easier during a dinner party, but it also saves cleanup time afterwards. This French Oven from Le Creuset comes in a wide range of fun colors, perfect for any decor.

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry at

Looking for a fun gift that is both stylish and useful? Send your favorite hostess an elegant homemade apron. Etsy is full of different shops offering all kinds of styles and colors perfect for whatever personality fits your entertainer. We love these gorgeous retro aprons from CreativeChics.

Creative Chics Aprons at CreativeChics (Etsy)

Whether for a full meal or just dessert, fondue is a fun changeup to the typical dinner party. Fill this pot with some artisan cheese or chocolate and you’ll have a happy crowd.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 1-3/4-Quart Traditional Fondue Pot, Cherry at Amazon.com

Everyone’s bar can use an upgrade now and then. We love a stylish and complete bar set that can easily handle a rousing party.

Oggi Pro Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cocktail Shaker and Bar Tool Set at Amazon.com

Keeping your white wines properly chilled can be a challenge if your fridge is full of food. That’s why we love electric wine chillers. When choosing an electric cellar, be sure to find a model rated to keep a good seal. We also love a model that includes a light inside, so you can easily find the right bottle in the dim light of a party.

Haier HVTM08ABS 8-Bottle Wine Cellar with Electronic Controls at Amazon.com

An entertainer can never have enough serving dishes. We recommend finding something with a distinctive style and fun colors. We love this set, especially since the dishes are microwave, freezer and dishwasher-safe.

Signature Housewares Sorrento Collection Stoneware Serving Trays in Tiered Caddy, Ivory/Green/Gold, Set of 3 at Amazon.com

Looking for something different at your party that will get your guests buzzing? Put out a sampling of finishing salts. Your friends and family will love sampling and discussing the salts. We recommend a sample pack like this — a little bit of each salt will go a long way.

Finishing Salt Starter Set – 6 Different Sea Salts From Around the World, Small Taster Tins at Amazon.com