Eccentricities for the table

and other fun things for hosting this holiday season

Last week, I was added to a nightmare family group chat about Thanksgiving dinner. It sent me into a full holiday spiral ham, rehearsing fake conversations with relatives for days. It got me thinking about how bad some people are at hosting. Perhaps its generational, or just a personal problem, but I’d rather stay home than go to a poorly hosted party.

A good host builds a world for you to step into and enjoy. My friend Alexis Gordon is the #1 hostest with the mostest (hi Alexis!). She throws dinner parties at least once a month, and does it with precision, personality, and style. She has an armoire, and actually uses it to store multiple sets of plates and glasses! I still only have 3 plates.

Alexis understands the art of hosting. There are always snacks upon entry, drinks chilling, and food perfectly timed for eating. She will tell you to bring something if she needs it, if not, bring yourself and extra beverages. She’s got music playing, but the aux is always open for guests to share. She’ll delegate in the kitchen if it makes sense, otherwise you are free to just be a guest.

A night at Alexis’s is always an experience. She turns out incredible food, keeps the drinks flowing, and builds a space that feels distinctly hers. The table looks considered, the glassware always has a backstory, and the art often rotates between gatherings. She’s thoughtful about the guest list and loves to facilitate new connections.

A recent Alexis soirée

Hosting is a talent, and she’s got it. I don’t know if it’s learned or instinctive, but I love being in the hands of someone who knows how to do it well. As a guest, you feel looked after, understood, and welcomed in a special way. And truly, if you’re not thinking about your guests, why even throw a party?

Today’s roundup is inspired by Alexis, her eclectic style, and her amazing dinner parties. This is an invitation to slow down and think about what world you want to build for your guests, or how you can sneak some personality into a lifeless party. If all you bring to your family holiday dinners this year is some extra flare for the table, I shall consider that a win.

You’re gonna need some big spoons to serve all that sass at the table, sister. No I won’t be bringing a side, but I do have spoons.

1. MCM Green Lucite & Brass Salad Serving Spoons — $25

2. Wallace Grande Baroque 8 ¼” Sterling Serving Spoon — $299

3. Sterling Silver Goose Swan Serving Gravy Spoon.— $212

4. Resin Serving Spoon Set — $16

5. VINTAGE WESTERN HAND CARVED BUFFALO HORN SPOONS — $40

6. acrylic lucite plastic HANDS — $27

7. Mother Of Pearl W Wood Handle Serving Or Caviar Spoon — $89

8. “FLAMINGO” Vintage Japan Fork Spoon — $15

9. Curved Modern Salad Spoons — $49

10. Mother of Pearl & Silver Tone Servers Spoon — $41

11. Fish Shaped Serving Spoons — $22

My teenage nephew works at an Italian specialty shop so we use his employee discount to buy loads of caviar at xmas. Get yourself a teen discount and caviar so you can feel fancy in even the most depressing suburban settings.

1. Vintage Silver Plated Dish Bowl — $36

2. Antique Seashell Caviar Dish — $78

3. Abalone Caviar Vintage Seashell — $15

4. 6 Fostoria Mother of Pearl Saucers — $16

5. 3 Vintage Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons — $40

6. Vintage SIlver Plate Shell Caviar — $86

7. Covered Caviar Dish — $28

8. Oysters Salt Spoons — $10

9. Mother Of Pearl Vintage Caviar Spoon — $20

10. black caviar tin cans — $45

11. Antique Seashell Caviar Dish — $78

I suggest that we introduce a family competition to distract from the other frictions with a gravy contest! Obviously the vessel will count for half of the points.

1. Belleek Swan Gravy boat — $28

2. Vintage pewter gravy boat — $38

3. Atlantic Mold Vintage Ceramic Gravy Boat — $22

4. Blue Rings Gravy Boat 1973 — $18

5. MCM Gravy Sauce Boat — $28

6. Blue Glaze Ceramic Gravy Bowl — $17

7. Famille Rose Medallion vintage porcelain creamer — $75

8. Italian Ceramic Horse Gravy Boat — $60

9. Vintage Majestic Crystal Swan Gravy Boat — $30

10. Russel Wright Gravy Boat — $35

11. Mid Century Green and Brown Brock Pottery Gravy Boat — $22

12. Heath Ceramics Coupe Creamer — $45

I don’t smoke anymore, but if there was ever a time that makes me want to start again, its the holidays. Plus, it’s really fun sneaking cigs at family functions. If you’re hosting, it’s fun to have looseys out for anyone who may want to enjoy a puff or two.

1. FISH CIGARETTE JOINT HOLDER — $25

2. Mother Of Pearl Cigarette Case — $60

3. Vintage Marble Onyx & Alabaster Ashtray — $60

4. CIGARETTE LIGHTER CASE — $40

5. Copper Match Holder — $31

6. Ceramic Cigarette Holder Mid Century Japan 1960s — $24

7. Green glass Round Catch All Dish — $30

8. Vintage Match Box Holder — $13

9. Vintage Onyx Table Lighter — $118

10. Vintage Swan Table Lighter — $50

11. Queen Mary Cigarette Holder — $18

12. Golt Tone Cigarette Case Box — $40

13. Vintage Smoking Lips Brooch — $24

14. Amber Cigarette Holder — $40

15. MCM Ashtray Stone — $33

Obviously you must light your table by candle if you’re throwing a dinner party! Candle holders are a very fun way to add some personality to the table.

1. Brown Ceramic Candlestick Holder — $12

2. Sterling Silver Weighted Candlestick Holder — $50

3. MARY ROSE YOUNG CANDLEABRA — $50

4. Wooden Candle Holder — $15

5. Candle Holders White Iridescent & Gold — $15

6. Oaxacan Traditional Barro Negro — $50

7. Blue Speckled Candlestick Holder — $25

8. Sterling Silver Candelabra — $105

9. SCP Matthew Hilton Aluminum Swan Candlestick Holder — $80

10. Cobalt Blue Candle Holders — $25

11. Ceramic Black Gold Candlesticks — $30

12. 4 Amber Dinner Candle Holder — $40

13. Green Marble Taper Candlestick Holder — $22

14. 3 Brass Inlaid Stone Mini Cups — $19

15. Tortoiseshell Pattern Candle Holder — $4

Salt and pepper shakers feel controversial to me for obvious reasons — like don’t ruin my perfectly seasoned food. But there are so many fun vessels to add to your table. I propose we fill them with some more interesting spices like sumac, schezuan peppers, dried lime, paprika, old bay, or harissa.

1. Ceramic Horse Salt And Pepper Shakers — $13

2. Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers — $18

3. Vintage Condiment or Salt & Pepper Set — $28

4. Italian Argente Silver Plated Salt & Pepper Shakers — $40

5. STRIPE Wood PEPPER MILL Grinder & SALT Shaker — $34

6. Rob Wilhelm Le Cirque Wood Pepper Mill — $58

7. Heath Ceramics salt and pepper shakers — $40

8. Pewter Vintage Apple Pear Fruit Salt & Pepper— $18

9. Swans Salt & Pepper Shakers — $10

I’m going to guess barware is the gateway to fun hosting accessories because its so plentiful secondhand. Plus, its really easy to find novelties in the space. Have fun with your drink accessories, have fun for life.

1. Brass Swan Bottle Opener — $45

2. 4 Galway Crystal Connemara Champagne Glasses — $54

3. Santa Claus Cork Head Bottle Wine Stopper — $9

4. midcentury glass carafe — $22

5. Vintage Rhinestone Bottle Opener — $13

6. Fish decanter Decorative carafe and 6 shot glasses — $37

7. lucite bottle opener — $13

8. Vintage Libbey Glass Accent Clear — $24

9. Libbey JUICE GLASSES — $24

10. Green Glass Wine Carafe — $12

11. Art Deco Pierrot Man Cork Stopper — $65

12. 4 Red Coupe Glasses — $20

13. Swan wine bottle toppers lot of 2 — $10

14. Gemstone Wine Stopper • Set Of 2 — $12

I guess I never understood the tablecloth, but I do love textiles and putting a look together. The cloth is the rug of the table, it can really help tie everything in. I highly recommend buying used though, can’t imagine being worried about staining a nice tablecloth.

1. Vintage Red Plaid And Floral Tablecloth — $50

2. Embroidered Linen Christmas Tablecloth — $99

3. Blue Floral Tablecloth — $12

4. Vintage Red Plaid And Floral Tablecloth — $50

5. Linen Orange Striped Tablecloth — $20

6. Vintage Printed Tablecloth — $27

7. Embroidered Linen Tablecloth — $37

8. Uzbek Embroidery Suzani Table Cloth — $78.59

9. Blue White hand embroidered tablecloth — $60

Happy holidays y’all, may peace be with you. Hope you get hosted hard this year.

XO — Kellyn (a.k.a. Best Friends 🍗)