Hosting Upgraded: Entertaining Essentials Worth Gifting

If you have a friend who enjoys entertaining, you’re bound to encounter a conundrum: what to gift someone who seems to have everything sorted? Most hosts will have the basics like dinnerware, drinkware and serving utensils covered, so our tip is to focus on stylish but practical tableware that will still be welcome even if it’s a duplicate – or, if you want to play it safe, fancy consumables are always a good choice.

Here are some entertaining essentials you can gift the host who might have everything.

The Peel Thing fruit slices

Cocktail garnishes that look as good as they taste are an easy way to elevate any drink. Mornington Peninsula brand The Peel Thing crafts dehydrated fruit slices using 100 per cent locally grown produce. Its range includes citrus classics like orange, lemon and ruby grapefruit (from $15), alongside more exotic fare like pineapple. If you’re after an extra flavour boost, check out its infused fruit slices range, where lime meets chilli for a tangy kick, or orange joins vanilla and cinnamon in a spice medley.

Zonzo Roro aperitivo spritz

You can’t go wrong bringing a bottle to share – but choosing the right one makes all the difference. Whether it’s a lunchtime barbeque or a sundown soiree, start the party with something effervescent. Made in the Yarra Valley by Zonzo Estate, the fruit-forward Roro aperitivo spritz ($25 for 750mL) pays homage to classic Italian spritzes, from Cinzano to Cynar and Montenegro. This ruby-hued version boasts red fruit, dark spice and caramel notes on the palate and is best enjoyed chilled over ice with a slice of orange.

Alex and Trahanas raffia coasters

If your hosting friend has indoor gatherings covered, why not add an outdoor flavour to their hospitality ware? Raffia is a beautiful natural material and this set of six coasters ($145), handmade by artisans on the island of Ischia in Italy, is a rustic yet elegant addition to a patio party. The set comes in its own woven holder and is sourced by the Mediterranean mavens at Australian design studio Alex and Trahanas.

Designstuff ice cube tray

Impress guests with this one simple upgrade: fancy ice. Nothing against the humble cube, but there’s something special about ice in a different shape. The riplet ice cube tray ($29.90) yields four large rippled spheres, each about seven centimetres in diameter, which melt slowly and keep drinks cool for longer. We’re also enamoured with its long cousin, the spiral twist ice cube tray ($29.90), which freezes four long twists of ice for highballs and other tall drinks. Both are made from 100 per cent food grade silicone.

Fazeek Bloom coupes

Looking for glassware that strikes the balance between convivial and chic? Melbourne-based glassware designer Fazeek's Bloom coupes ($99 for two) bring a playful touch to any toast. At the centre of their wide clear bowls is a cluster of jewel-toned glass baubles that will make any beverage fun to drink. Handmade from borosilicate glass, these are designed to toast the host with the most.

No 22 travertine tray

An antipasto platter? A drinks tray? A stage for table decor? This gorgeous stoneware piece is a tray made from travertine ($64) with many versatile uses. With its neutral palette and natural texture, it works across a range of table settings, while its durability and scratch resistance make it as practical as it is beautiful. Designed in Australia, it’s available at Sydney-based homewares boutique No 22.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Zonzo.