A guide to my top hosting essentials — the pieces I truly believe every host should have at home. Thoughtful, practical, and guaranteed to elevate any gathering.

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About Me

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Hello, I’m Clancey! I’m a Photographer and Designer who has spent the last decade documenting weddings, traveling, and paying attention to the details that make a moment feel real. I’m naturally drawn to well-made objects, good food, and design that feels thoughtful without being precious. This edit is a collection of my favorite hosting-adjacent pieces, things I genuinely love and use, whether I’m gathering people or simply enjoying them in everyday life. Each one brings a sense of ease, beauty, or quiet intention that I keep coming back to.

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These are the items that make hosting feel manageable. They’re practical first, but still beautiful enough that I’m happy to leave them out.

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1. Introduced to me by Virginia, the owner of Partytrick. This NA sparkling wine lives in my refrigerator year-round and is the perfect pour for everyone—especially in a season where so many are sober-curious.
2. We have a rule: if guests arrive at 5:30, we’re ready by 5. Sit, have a bite, pour a drink, and set the mood. I love having a Tom Collins prepped and ready in these Bubble Glass Tumblers.
3. Place card holders add a bit of old-world charm, and I always notice them. I typically use these to label dishes and note allergens like gluten-free, dairy-free, or nuts.
4. This is the soap guests always comment on. It instantly elevates a sink area and makes even a quick hand wash feel intentional.
5. Sometimes you plan for everything and still run out of time. For those moments, these vinaigrettes are my go-to. Every “in-the-know” girl I trust swears by them—and that’s enough for me.
6. If you host often, you become known for something. For me, it’s chocolate chip cookies—and if you visit, you’re leaving with some. (Even though I know they’ll be eaten on the drive home). These glass Pyrex containers are perfect for take-home leftovers or treats.

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These are the items that shape how a gathering feels. They’re about mood, memory, and the details people might not consciously clock, but absolutely remember.

7. One of my favorite hosting additions. I leave this Tarot of Flowers deck on the table and invite everyone to pull a card at some point in the evening. It instantly sparks conversation, creates unexpected connections, and gives guests something thoughtful to respond to. Beautiful, meaningful, and quietly memorable.
8. Scent is so closely tied to memory, and I want the memory of our home to be incredible. This candle sets the tone immediately.
9. The perfect coffee table requires the perfect book. I like to stack books that match the season or the party’s color story, and this one always finds its way into the mix.
10. I live by a few mantras—one of them being pass the salt. This is the perfect salt and pepper mill pair and looks beautiful on any table.
11. Another female founder I love. These placemats have become the gold standard for elegant, functional tabletop styling. My favorite colorway is French Sage.

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Hosting well isn’t about having everything. It’s about choosing the right things.

These are mine. The products I trust. The pieces that set the tone.

If you’re ready to host something of your own, head to Partytrick and start building your plan.

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