Hosting a Dinner Party Is Stressful, But These 5 Items Are Chill

We all have that one engaged friend who just seems to have it
all together—you know, the person who’s just a living, breathing
definition of “adulting.” She’s got impeccable style, her home is
decorated perfectly, and she cooks the most delicious meals for her
S.O. (and friends) while balancing work and, well, life.

Not that you’re complaining (everyone loves a good home-cooked
meal every once in a while!)—you just want to find a way to
support her. Okay, fine, and maybe you want to reap as many
benefits while you can, too. The secret to doing so is hitting up

Macy’s; the retailer has the kind of gifts that’ll set anyone
up for a successful get-together.

So whether you’re shopping for someone else’s wedding gift, are
the bride-to-be yourself, or just want to feel like you’re adulting
too, these are our top picks for impressing guests.

When
you’re hosting a dinner party, a lot of chopping is involved, so
you need a set of knives that get the job done—and get it done
well. This 15-piece set is sharp, durable, rust-resistant, and even
comes with eight steak knives. In addition, there’s a paring knife,
a serrated utility knife, a bread knife, a chef’s knife, sharpening
steel, and kitchen shears, all of which fit perfectly into a chic
wood block that’ll look great on top of the kitchen counter. If all
your knives are in one place, there will be less scrambling when
you’re in prep mode.

The
real secret to hosting a successful soirée? Making a one-pot meal,
and this stove-top French oven can do just that. (It’s perfect for
roasts, stews, and generally anything that’s being slow-cooked.)
Aside from looking super chic, it’s also insanely durable—the
knob can withstand temperatures of up to 480º. Basically, throw a
bunch of stuff into the pot, cook it on low for hours, and you’ll
have minimal things to clean. Genius!

If
people are coming over for dinner, you gotta give them some
appetizers too. But if your oven is already in use, a convection
oven is just what you need. (There’s no shame in popping in a few
different favorites from Trader Joes, either.) Regardless of what
you’re making, this countertop oven lets you bake, broil, toast,
roast, and more. It even comes with a smart LCD screen you can
easily control, and the element IQ will put the heat on to where
you need it, from 80º to 480º.

Obviously
every dinner party needs a good playlist and an even better
speaker. This one has a deep, rich base, and is voice-compatible
with Android and IOS systems. Oh, and did we mention that you can
play music via Wi-Fi, bluetooth, or cable, making it easy to adjust
as the night goes on?

Arguably
the most important part to hosting friends for dinner is having an
inviting tablescape. High-fired terra-cotta dinnerware (dinner and
salad plates, bowls, and mugs) have a subtle texture and will truly
elevate any meal. The best part? This set is dishwasher- and
microwave-safe—no handwashing necessary!