Specialty Serving Pieces Every Southern Hostess Needs

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glass-cake-stand
Food52

The first time I invited friends over to my first apartment for wine and cheese, I felt very grown up. I'd carefully selected a few bottles of wine, picked out a nice sampling of cheeses, and grabbed a couple sleeves of crackers that paired well with them. But the moment I went to arrange them nicely on a cheese board was the moment I realized that I was hardly a grown up: I didn't have a cheese board on which to arrange my thoughtful selections. Thankfully, my friends were gracious guests, and nobody minded that the cheese was served on a beat-up cutting board and that the crackers were in a cereal bowl. But it was certainly a memorable lesson in entertaining. When it comes to presentation, a hostess is only as good as the tools she has at her disposal. Here, the serving pieces every hostess needs in her entertaining arsenal.

Mosser Glass Cake Stand

4.9

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.

Mark & Graham Acrylic Ice Bucket

Mark & Graham Acrylic Ice Bucket

Mark & Graham

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.

Kate Spade New York Chip and Dip Bowl, Strawberries

Kate Spade New York Chip and Dip Bowl, Strawberries

Bloomingdale's

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.

Sur La Table Marble And Mango Wood Cheese Board

Sur La Table Marble And Mango Wood Cheese Board

Sur La Table

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.

Beatriz Ball Large Pearl David Tray

Beatriz Ball Large Pearl David Tray

Amazon

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.

Juliska Berry & Thread Deviled Egg Platter

Juliska Berry & Thread Deviled Egg Platter

Neiman Marcus

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.

Anchor Hocking Monaco Trifle Bowl

Anchor Hocking Monaco Trifle Bowl

Amazon

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.

Wedgwood Butterfly Bloom Creamer & Sugar

Wedgwood Butterfly Bloom Creamer & Sugar

Bloomingdale's

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.

Sur La Table Beurre Butter Dish

Sur La Table Beurre Butter Dish

Sur La Table

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.

Sagaform Piccadilly Pie Dish

Sagaform Piccadilly Pie Dish

Nordstrom

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.

Abigails Turquoise Oyster Plate, 2 Piece

Abigails Turquoise Oyster Plate, 2 Piece

Amazon

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.

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