If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Entertaining 11 Entertaining Essentials I Reach for When Channelling My Inner Martha Stewart From a versatile serving bowl to party games, these are my Martha-inspired must-haves. By Jamie Cuccinelli Jamie Cuccinelli Jamie Cuccinelli is a Senior Editor at Martha Stewart with over a decade of experience in editorial content creation and lifestyle journalism. Her work has appeared within various digital and print publications including The Knot, Bustle, The Zoe Report, Brides, and more. Editorial Guidelines Published on November 18, 2024 Photo: Courtesy of Amazon / Food 52 Culturally speaking, Martha Stewart is practically synonymous with entertaining and party planning. Her decades of wisdom have officially spanned 100 books, and, hey, it’s why you’re here reading this in the first place. So, when I say that a particular entertaining piece makes me feel like Martha, you know what I mean. To have me feeling just a fraction as cool as Martha, an entertaining item has to make hosting feel effortless, evoke a defined sense of style, and add a little luxury to my life. Complicating matters is the fact that my city apartment can only hold so much, so everything must be worthy of coveted—if not scarce—storage space. The center of that Venn diagram leaves us with this list of entertaining essentials I have on hand for when I'm feeling inspired by Martha's many helpful tips and her unshakeable style. In New Netflix Documentary, Martha Says This One Choice Made Her Who She Is Today 01 of 11 Oyster Plate Courtesy of Maisonette Fresh offerings feel elevated and instantly impressive; a dedicated serving dish, posh. If you need any more convincing, raw bars remain one of Martha's go-to grazing menus. "One of my favorites, which I serve at my annual open house in Bedford, is a delicious fresh seafood buffet of oysters and shrimp," she once said. $40 at Maisonette.com 02 of 11 Portuguese Stoneware Low Serving Bowl Courtesy of Anthropologie Without the space to store dozens of serving platters and bowls, do-it-all pieces are crucial. This glazed stoneware bowl boasts a low profile that makes it ideal for both serving snacks and holding fruit on the counter. $68 at Anthropologie 03 of 11 Place Cards Courtesy of Amazon Personalized elements just feel so Martha Stewart, don't they? In particular, Martha has gone on record with her fondness for place cards. "I write each guest's name on a card and place them by each guest's place setting shortly before everyone arrives," Martha said in a blog post. An inexpensive pack of place cards can be both customized in an instant and stashed away in a drawer. $7 at Amazon 04 of 11 Martha Stewart 7-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven Courtesy of Amazon No matter your skill level, a Dutch oven is an all-time essential piece of cookware. They're endlessly versatile and apt at making big-batch dishes like cozy stews and dessert fruit crips. $77 at Amazon 24 Nourishing Soup Recipes That Feed a Crowd 05 of 11 Batch Cocktails Courtesy of West Elm Martha has written of her preference of offering guests a beverage station at her parties. While I may not have the space for a full bar, a batch of themed cocktails is always a nice touch. Bonus: This collection of batch cocktail recipes also makes a great hostess gift. $20 at West Elm 25 Pitcher Drinks Just Right for a Party 06 of 11 Vintage-Inspired Bookshelf Board Games Courtesy of Food 52 Martha often provides guests with outdoor games during her summer parties. While I may not have room for a game of croquet, I do boast the shelf space for this refined set of bookshelf board games. It disguises the classic games of Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue as display-friendly vintage novels. $120 at Food52 07 of 11 Birch Lane Set of Three Ceramic Vases Courtesy of Birch Lane Martha loves to display fresh flowers in her home; It's an easy way to impress guests (even if you're not getting the blooms straight from your garden like she is). This set of three ceramic vases boast bright vertical stripes, making them a cheerful tabletop addition. $129 $119 at Birchlane.com 08 of 11 Scallop Edge Pinch Bowls Courtesy of Anthropologie A set of pinch of bowls can make you feel like the star of your own cooking show. This stoneware trio features a delicate scalloped edge for a subtle nod to the coquette trend. $21 at Anthropologie 09 of 11 Martha Stewart White Round Stoneware Cake Stand Courtesy of Amazon It's a given that Martha provides her guests with a ton of yummy dessert options. Having a specific platter to grab when it comes to serving sweets will have you looking—and feeling—put together and hospitable. Bonus: It can make a thrown-together selection look more polished. $38 at Amazon 10 of 11 Martha Stewart Porcelain Dinnerware Plates and Bowls Set Courtesy of Amazon While crafting her tablescapes, Martha often relies on pretty, vibrant hues. This dinnerware set from her collection pairs an unexpected colorway with a traditional pattern and feels far more special than your basic white plates. $50 at Amazon 11 of 11 Rifle Paper Co. Social Stationery Set Courtesy of Rifle Paper Co. Martha has been known to surprise her guests with individual gifts, such as money plants. A handwritten card thanking them for their presence can be just as thoughtful. Go ahead and invest in that pretty stationery set. $22 at Riflepaperco.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit