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Tag: hosting

  • The “Cozy” $20 Decor Gem My Mom Uses for Every Christmas Table Setting

    The “Cozy” $20 Decor Gem My Mom Uses for Every Christmas Table Setting

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    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Like many Latin families, my family has always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve (or Nochebuena). Whether we’re going out to dinner, spending time with our family in Mexico, or my mom is cooking a traditional Mexican meal, this day has always been special and eventful for us. 

    This year, in true Nochebuena fashion, my mom will be making her incredible pozole for my husband, my sister, and me. Even though there will only be four of us at the table, my mom always makes sure to dress it to the nines. One piece in particular has always been my favorite, and gives the night an even more festive feel.

    My mom typically sticks to hosting intimate dinners, but the accessories and decor she has for her table can just as well be for a big holiday party. From elegant wine markers and slate name plates to metal placemats, my mom has meticulously chosen her table setting decor to be sophisticated and timeless — especially when it comes to seasonal items. 

    She prefers keeping her table neutral with small pops of color, so it was no surprise when she whipped out these adorable stocking silverware holders a few Christmases ago. The bright, cable-stitched red knit and white cuff are a true ode to the coziness of a Christmas night, plus they also wonderfully fit a knife, fork, and spoon. That color red, in fact, perfectly matches my mom’s go-to holiday plant: the poinsettia, or Nochebuena (the same thing we call Christmas Eve). You can also snag a more inexpensive six-pack of similar mini stockings from Amazon here.

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    L. Daniela Alvarez

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  • Costco’s New “Beautiful” Serving Set Is the $25 Find Your Holidays Need

    Costco’s New “Beautiful” Serving Set Is the $25 Find Your Holidays Need

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    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    And just like that, it’s officially hosting season! From Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas and New Year’s, the end of the calendar year is always a whirlwind of festive events — likely with a revolving door of guests. While it’s certainly part of the holiday fun to invest in some holiday decor, whether that’s from Aldi, Target, or another fan-favorite retailer, sometimes it doesn’t feel worth it if your holiday finds live in the back of your closet for most of the year. But Costco’s got the perfect year-round hosting gem. 

    Luckily, Costco just dropped a stunning serving set that you can use for this year’s holiday hosting, summer parties, and beyond. According to a @costcowins Instagram post, the Mesa Inspired Living Mango Wood Serving Set has made its way to the shelves at the bulk retailer. With three stunning, vibrant bowls and a tray, the set is a steal at just $24.99.

    Each bowl has a patterned enamel interior with a sleek wooden exterior, making it super sturdy and easy to clean. While the design is different for each piece, the bowls complement each other nicely with their uniformed color scheme whether it’s the purple and red variation or the teal and orange combo. The tray sits at 19.4 inches long and seven inches wide, while each bowl stands at three inches tall with a width of six inches — a perfect size for holiday appetizers!

    While this set may be on your holiday wishlist, it also makes a great staple piece to have for your outdoor gatherings once the weather starts to heat up again. Fill each bowl with your favorite dips like guacamole, salsa, and hummus for a stunning spread at the next spring picnic, summer BBQ, or fall dinner party by the firepit. Since the bowls can be used year-round, these are about to become an instant kitchen staple. They’ll even look adorable as a centerpiece on your kitchen counter, so you don’t have to worry about storing them away.

    The serving set has also been spotted throughout the year at Costco in varying styles (and prices) from @costco.hotbuys and @costcobuys — and shoppers in the comments can’t get enough. “I want this!!” wrote one user, while another chimed in, “Just got obsessed.” Unfortunately, the serving set isn’t available on Costco’s website, so you’ll have to head into your local store to find them. (Or order them from eBay, Walmart, or Mercari!). Make sure to run — don’t walk — to grab these ASAP, as they’re already flying off the shelves.

    Love the Enamel Wood Serving Set? Then You’ll Love…

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    Emma Taubenfeld

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  • Ina Garten’s 14 Best Hosting Tips of All Time

    Ina Garten’s 14 Best Hosting Tips of All Time

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    10. Master mess-free muffins. 

    Before you host, your life may feel like a never-ending to-do list. The last thing you want is to repeat a step you previously completed. Avoid any redos in the kitchen by planning ahead with these mess-free muffins. The secret to success is simple: Grease every inch of your muffin pan — including the top. This hack avoids broken or damaged muffins and makes transferring them from pan to plate easy.

    11. Decorate desserts effortlessly. 

    Ina shared her hacks for mess-free muffins, but what about mess-free cakes? Consider it handled — or at least, with this trick, you’ll have it covered. Before decorating cakes on your cake stand, Ina recommends placing parchment or wax paper on the stand and cutting it into small triangles. As you work around the cake, you’ll see the tiny triangles sticking out; seamlessly pull them out when finished. You’ll have a mess-free cake stand that rivals one from the pros. (This video shows how to do this step-by-step around the 18-minute mark.) 

    12. Indulge in boozy beverages (and treats!).

    Love alcohol and dessert? Ina is no exception. That’s why, this holiday season, mix the two to create one delicious dessert. Ina’s three-ingredient boozy limoncello desserts earn an automatic green check in our book; they’re easy to make and delicious. Part lemon-flavored alcohol, part ice cream, topped off with garnish and voilà! It’s the elevated ice cream float that’s too decadent to miss. 

    13. Perfectly plate portions. 

    Ina provides another simple hack that will have you whipping up restaurant-style cakes (or muffins) in seconds. Before plating your slice of cake, spread just a couple of spoonfuls of fruit jam in a circle on a small plate (using the back of the spoon), then lay the slice of cake on its side and garnish with a few fresh berries. It’s the tiny details that will make a world of difference. 

    14. Serve in style. 

    Sure, Ina will assemble her table to her liking, but when grabbing food, she leaves that up to her guests. She lets them grab as much or as little as they need, and the way she does so is by planning ahead with the proper serving platters, particularly this one. This Le Creuset oval platter is dense enough to block moisture absorption to prevent cracking, crazing, and ripping, and the nearly nonstick glazed interior easily releases food for a quick cleanup. Plus, it looks so stylish when laid on a table, ready to dive deep into!

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    Brittany Romano

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  • The $15 Target Decor Find Every Thanksgiving Table Needs

    The $15 Target Decor Find Every Thanksgiving Table Needs

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    Because my mother-in-law has hosted Thanksgiving for the last few years, my mom decided she’d try it out this year. She rarely hosts large get-togethers (she’s more into intimate dinner parties), so I figured I could get her something to help on the decor front. My mom has always had great style and taste, which meant I was on the hunt for something functional but ultimately showstopping — and luckily, I stumbled upon the most whimsical Thanksgiving decor at none other than Target. The John Derian Collection is an assortment of autumn-inspired pieces, serving bowls, and trays that give a classic yet magical vibe. One piece in particular, however, stood out as the most efficient and charming for my mom’s table setting: the $15 3-Piece Fall Vegetable Stoneware Cheese Knife Set.

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    L. Daniela Alvarez

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  • This DIY Caramel Apple Bar Is the Best Way to Serve Dessert on Halloween

    This DIY Caramel Apple Bar Is the Best Way to Serve Dessert on Halloween

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    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Bobbing for apples at a Halloween party is so 2019 (hello, germs) — and it’s also a big, wet mess. Instead of getting water everywhere, opt for a beloved fall treat from childhood for kids and adults alike: caramel apples. For your next party, tap into your guests’ sense of nostalgia with a build-your-own caramel apple bar. From the supplies you’ll need to tips and tricks to prevent sticky messes, here’s how to do it — and be the host with the most this autumn:

    What You’ll Need for a DIY Caramel Apple Bar

    How to Set Up the DIY Caramel Apple Bar

    DIY Caramel Apple Bar Techniques and Tips

    In my years of hosting DIY caramel apple bars, these are a few best practices that can make this Halloween treat mess-free and more entertaining.

    Did you try this for your Halloween party? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

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    Jennifer Billock

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