8 Items Every Host Should Have on Hand for the Holidays

Make sure you have your hosting essentials in order before the holidays begin. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or throwing a holiday party for friends and family, you don’t want to realize day-of that you’re one serving tray short. These items from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart will help your holiday gatherings run smoothly (and look incredible, too).

Dinnerware is a must for every holiday party; our 12-piece stoneware set is available in deep brown or chic cream. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four cereal bowls—the ideal arrangement for any party. If you’re hosting a crowd, just grab two sets of this affordable dinner collection; their durable, microwave-safe finish is a good fit for any kind of party. Throw them in the dishwasher after dinner for easy cleanup. 

Whether you’re serving up charcuterie or need a spot to put all your dips and condiments, our Acacia Wood Tray and Stoneware Bowls set is a hosting must. Three cream-colored stoneware bowls nestle neatly into an acacia wood tray, so your condiments are safe from sliding around. Serve up your favorite pre-dinner snacks or make sure everyone can easily access dinnertime sauces. 

Plate up your perfect charcuterie board on our Acacia Board with Cheese Tools. This tray comes with four spots for the included elegant gold charcuterie tools, which help make snacking easy no matter what cheese, meat, or spreads you’re serving. Its clean and elegant design is a flawless fit for your countertop or dining table while your guests are busy grazing before dinner.

While you’re busy curating the perfect holiday tablescape, don’t forget about the ambient lighting. Our Dome Rechargeable Lamp is great for lighting up your dining room—since it’s cordless, it’ll never get in the way of your dinner dishes. Easily move it around from room to room for mood lighting while you party, or keep it in your guest room for easy statement lighting. 

Let’s talk drinks. Make your batch cocktails or favorite winter drinks easier than ever with the 5-piece Stainless Steel Bar Tool Set. Every host should have one of these (it’s also the perfect host gift, if you’re looking for something thoughtful to bring to your next holiday party). The set has a bottle opener, jigger, spoon, and spring strainer, all of which fit neatly into the wood block base. 

You’ll also want a durable cocktail shaker for all your winter parties—our stainless steel option is comfortable to hold, with a lid that forms the perfect seal while you shake up your favorite cocktail. Its high-quality stainless steel ensures that you’ll get many years of use out of this elegant cocktail shaker. 

Impress your guests with our smoky ribbed wine glasses. The durable, dishwasher-safe glass will save you loads of time on cleanup—and no one can deny that the smoky look of these wine glasses are totally gorgeous. Grab a single glass for under $5, which makes it easy for you to purchase as many as you need for all your holiday guests.

Ready to store all your new hosting essentials? You’ll need a stylish bar cabinet—not only does it give your kitchen or dining room an elegant extra storage option, but it’s also handy to have close by when you’re hosting parties. It has a built-in wine glass rack so you can easily grab the serve ware you need for hosting. Store spare glasses, napkins, trivets, and utensils in its concealer lower shelves; your decanter, bar tools, and jarred cocktail add-ins will fit perfectly on the top shelf, which features a pull-out door that doubles as extra table space.

Get your home ready for holiday hosting with these finds from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart.