Kitchen & Entertaining

The essentials are serveware and platters for the food, enough plates, glasses, and flatware for your guests, cloth napkins, and a simple centerpiece. Versatile, neutral pieces stretch across occasions. Plan serving dishes before the day so everything has a place when the food is ready.

Everyday pieces are durable and made for regular use, while entertaining serveware tends to be larger, more decorative, and built for presenting food to a group, like platters, footed bowls, and serving boards. Many people keep a small set of nicer entertaining pieces alongside their everyday dishes.

Look for cloth napkins in a generous size, around 20 inches square, in a fabric like cotton or linen that presses well and washes easily. Neutral colors work for any occasion, and a set in a seasonal hue lets you dress the table up for holidays. Cloth napkins instantly make a table feel more finished.