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14 Hostess Necessities for the Perpetual Party Planner

Written by Washingtonian Staff | Published on December 2, 2011
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Available at papersource.com
Available at papersource.com

Martha would never send an Evite. Stock her stationery drawer with these ready-to-print dinner party invitations, $13.50 for ten. Photograph by Paper Source

Available at etsy.com/shop/stephlovesben
Available at etsy.com/shop/stephlovesben

Handmade garlands, cake toppers, and pompom flowers by Etsy seller Steph Loves Ben lend a touch of whimsy to party decor—and everyone will think she made them herself, $7 to $25. Photograph by Steph Loves Ben

Available at crateandbarrel.com.
Available at crateandbarrel.com.

This cold-beverage dispenser looks great on the bar table and makes short work of dispensing sangrias and the like, $59.95. Photograph by Crate & Barrel

Available at shopterrain.com
Available at shopterrain.com

A quirky birch-and-metal vase will make for an attention-grabbing centerpiece. Add a couple of quince branches for extra gift-giving oomph, $15. Photograph by Shop Terrain

Available at hautepapier.com
Available at hautepapier.com

A stemless Chardonnay might leave a ring. Keep her coffee table spot-free with these customizable coasters from DC-based Haute Papier, starting at $58 for a set of 50. Photograph by Haute Papier

Available at dwellstudio.com
Available at dwellstudio.com

She’ll pass hors d’oeuvres with panache, thanks to this chic, lacquered tray by Dwell Studio, $97.50. Photograph by Dwell Studio

Available at leifshop.com
Available at leifshop.com

Pretty up her powder room with triple-milled guest soaps by Mor, $14. Photograph by Leif Shop

Available at anthropologie.com
Available at anthropologie.com

Laguiole cheese knives are a French countryside classic—perfect for her Camemberts and chèvres, $32 Photograph by Anthropologie

Available at potterybarn.com
Available at potterybarn.com

Shake messy martinis in silk DVF? Not this gal. With this sleek martini pitcher, she can stir up a big batch of vodka gimlets, $24. Photograph by Pottery Barn

Available at amazon.com
Available at amazon.com

Starting conversations since 1885, the Proust Questionnaire will be her go-to for breaking the ice at awkward holiday gatherings, from $85. Photograph by Amazon

Available at Dalton Pratt in Georgetown (1742 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-3256).
Available at Dalton Pratt in Georgetown (1742 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-3256).

A 22-karat gold-rimmed bowl by Waylande Gregory is sure to be the talk of the buffet line, starting at $135. Photograph by Wayland Gregory

Available at williams-sonoma.com
Available at williams-sonoma.com

She’s done Italian, Mexican, pan-Asian, and all-American. Expand her horizons to Northern Africa with this traditional Tunisian tagine, $49.95. Photograph by Williams Sonoma

Available at tiffany.com
Available at tiffany.com

Poker goes posh with playing cards by Tiffany, $30. Photograph by Tiffany & Co.

Available at zhush.com
Available at zhush.com

Her inner Southern belle will love these silver-plated mint julep cups—equally adorable when filled with blooms instead of bourbon, $85 for a set of 4 Photograph by Zhush

Available at marthastewart.com
Available at marthastewart.com

The latest how-to guide from her entertaining idol, $45. Photograph by marthastewart.com

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