Entertaining Must-Haves for Your Next Family Get-Together

Friendly competition, anyone? What's great about this set is that it's the epitome of space-saving. You don't need a dedicated Ping-Pong table. Just attach the net to any old regular dining table or deck table. The set comes with paddles and balls (amount you receive depends on which set you get). Plus everything can be kept in the provided storage bag. ($39.99+, Pro-Spin Sports)

If you’re going to be doing more work in the kitchen, might as well make it less wasteful — and more cheerful-looking. These reusable Swedish dishcloths are made from residual cotton and cellulose, and can do a lot of the work you might otherwise leave to paper towels and sponges. They absorb liquid easily, dry quickly, and can be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine to stay fresh. ($19.99/pack of 10, Amazon)

When you own one of these, every dessert course will feel like an occasion. Handmade from flint glass with a clear glass dome (available as an add-on), this stand comes in seven colors and three different sizes. It’s so pretty you’ll love displaying it even when it’s empty. ($47+, Food52)

You have the Swedish dishcloths for washing things and cleaning up spills, but you may want a more heavy-duty (still reusable) tool for drying all those dishes. These absorbent, 100% cotton dish towels come in 11 different versions, with various color options and two simple patterns to choose from. ($10+/6 pack, Amazon)

You may not use fancy napkins on a regular basis, but a dinner party is a great excuse to upgrade. These Portuguese linen napkins come in eight colors, ranging from grey and white to bright red, and are both beautiful to look at and easy to wash. Win-win. ($78/4 pack, Food52)

Catch your guests’ eyes with this candle that comes in an unexpected shape (and smells great, too). It has a 30-minute burn time, but we’d forgive you for keeping it out as a centerpiece and never burning it at all. Add an olive candle for another cute touch. ($26, Big Night)

If you’re throwing a bigger party and don’t already own enough glasses for everyone, you may be tempted to go disposable. Enter Repurpose. Their nontoxic, plant-based stemless wine cups are certified commercially compostable (you can use their site to check compost locations) — and they also make cocktail cups, dinner plates, and more. ($17.99+, Repurpose)

Because you don’t want to waste any of the leftovers. These dishwasher-safe stoppers are made from silicone and stainless steel, and are a great thing to have on hand at all times.($4.99+/2 pack, Amazon)

Saute, fry, roast, and more in this classic cast-iron pan that, with proper care, will basically last forever. Just keep it seasoned, and it’ll be the new hero of your kitchen. ($9+, Amazon)

If you want a fun drink situation without necessarily going overboard on the alcohol, swapping out regular water for this cult-favorite brand of sparkling is an easy way to change things up. ($25.98/24 pack, Sam’s Club)

Because you know the best playlists can take a party from good to great. This small, Alexa-enabled speaker isn’t crazy expensive, but will play all your favorites and even link up to other Echos in different rooms. Put the finishing touches on your music selection before the guests arrive — then let Alexa take it away. ($99.99, Amazon)

If hosting bigger parties is a regular thing for you, it may be time to invest in some extra chairs that can be stowed away easily in a basement or garage. These come in seven colors and two sizes, and you can purchase single chairs or up to 10 in one bundle (to cement your house as the party house for years to come). ($20+, Amazon)