Specialty Serving Pieces Every Southern Hostess Needs

Buy It: from $45; food52.com

Homemade cookies and cakes look even more scrumptious when perched atop a glossy stand with fun retro vibes. And if you’re no Betty Crocker? Well, everyone knows the trick to passing off that Publix bakery cake as your own is all about the presentation.

Buy It: $35; markandgraham.com

A good-looking ice bucket is essential for keeping lemonade cold and cocktails fresh. We like acrylic and plastic options, as they’re durable enough for backyard barbecues and parch parties, but still look polished on a kitchen counter for spring brunches or as a decorative element on a dining room bar cart.

Buy It: $50; bloomingdales.com

Even the humblest party snacks deserve cute dishes! Dress up your straight-from-the-grocery-store chips and dip with a colorful two-in-one serving set. Make sure to choose bowls made of melamine so that they’re tough enough to stand up to picnics in the park and pool parties.

Buy It: $50; surlatable.com

Whether it’s made from marble or wood (or both!), a pretty cheese board is the quick ticket for dressing up cocktail hour and making even a motley crew of small bites look photo-ready. Next-level your wine-and-cheese setup with an accompanying set of cheese knives and small matching dishes for nuts and olives.

Buy It: $171; amazon.com

When it comes time to host special celebrations, like engagement parties or baby showers, it’s important to bring out your finest for your honored guests. If you’re lucky enough to have inherited a silver tray or two from Mama, by all means, use those! Otherwise, a shiny lookalike will do just fine and give your table a pretty focal point.

Buy It: $49.95; crateandbarrel.com

A punch bowl is a Southern hostess’s best friend. You can serve a big-batch cocktail to the crowd (or a non-alcoholic drink for the kids) without standing up playing bartender all night, and it will look beautiful. Plus, if you buy a set like this one, you don’t have to pull out more glasses or a random kitchen ladle that doesn’t match the punch bowl!  

Buy It: $59; dillards.com

A cake plate or stand is necessary to showcase your sweets, but what’s going to protect them from bugs at an outdoor party or little hands before dinner is finished? A glass cake dome is a hostess must for keeping your desserts safe, while still putting them on display. Plus, you don’t have to deal with messy frosting-covered plastic wrap if you happen to have leftovers. 

Buy It: $78; neimanmarcus.com

Every Southern hostess has a go-to deviled egg recipe for parties. It just wouldn’t feel right to attend a gathering without a plate of deviled eggs. This beautiful Juliska tray will last you a lifetime, and its simple pattern won’t clash with your current china and serving pieces.

Buy It: from $17.60; amazon.com

Trifles are a go-to dessert for Southern hostesses because they’re super easy, super pretty, and can serve a super large crowd. With a flat bottom and wide, even circumference, trifle bowls are the only way to go when layering your beautiful dessert. Plus, trifle bowls make amazing centerpiece vessels when you’re not serving from them.

Buy It: $69.95; bloomingdales.com

How else are you supposed to serve afternoon tea to guests than accompanied by a beautiful creamer and sugar bowl? It’s the little things that make us smile, and a precious cream and sugar set is definitely one of them. This would make a sweet shower gift or sentimental birthday gift for the coffee or tea lover in your life.

Buy It: $19.95; surlatable.com

You can’t serve a breadbasket overflowing with fresh homemade rolls without a butter dish nearby. Butter dishes are such a fun element to add to a tablescape, and you can keep them on your counter or in the fridge to hold your butter even when guests aren’t around.

Buy It: $40; nordstrom.com

Sure, your pie will still taste amazing out of a foil pie dish from the store, but as far as presentation goes for hosting, you can’t beat an adorable pie plate. While you’re at it, throw in a beautiful cake and pie server for a showstopping dinner party finale.

Buy It: $54; food52.com

You probably have a plastic pitcher you use for the kids’ lemonade stands and outdoor parties, but do you have a dressier one to serve water at dinner parties? Even if you’re having the neighbors over for an afternoon glass of iced tea on the porch, serving it in a pretty pitcher adds a personal, good-hostess touch.

Buy It: $62.76 per set of two; amazon.com

This might only be an essential for our coastal hostesses, but a pretty painted oyster plate is one of our favorite serving pieces. Whether you’re hosting a dressy dinner party and want to serve classic Oysters Rockefeller as an appetizer or you’re throwing a casual crab boil on the wharf, a unique oyster plate will never go unnoticed by guests. While you’re at it, go ahead and pick up some oyster forks, too. 

Buy It: $28; neimanmarcus.com

When it comes time for you to host your first Thanksgiving, you know Mama would die if you served her world-famous gravy out of a cereal bowl. Avoid family drama and add a beautiful piece to your collection with a classic gravy boat and stand.