Sometimes when my friends and I have dinner plans nearby my apartment, I will invite them over for a drink and an appetizer before we head over for our reservation. It’s usually very casual – a glass of wine and something to snack on to hold everyone over. When I host these, I don’t feel the need to do a whole “set the table” presentation, but of course I like for it look nice. So a few things I love todo to make the presentation feel “special” include the following:

1. Set out my wine glasses on a pretty tray. For summer I love this RAFFIA one by West Elm.

2. Place the wines I am serving on ice in a nice ice bucket; I hate sending guests to search through my refrigerator.

3. Put out cute cocktail napkins. Depending on the crowd, I choose my vibe; some are colorful and match my flowers, while others may say silly messages.

4. Display my appetizers on pretty serving pieces – in this case I used my Michael Aram olive branch dish for the hummus and a wooden dish for the chips (a pieces I stole from my mom!).

I love to set everything out on my coffee table or somewhere communal so everyone can sit around the couch and relax. Now that’s easy entertaining!