Photography by Amelia Brown

I’ve been hosting a Favorite Things party for four years now, and I don’t know if I’ll ever stop. It’s become one of those traditions I look forward to all year—the kind that feels easy, joyful, and genuinely fun for everyone involved.

There’s something especially satisfying about a gathering that’s equal parts cozy and clever. No awkward swaps or stealing, no competitive energy, no gifts destined for a drawer. Just friends, good food, and a table full of things people actually love and use in their own lives.

If you’re not familiar, a Favorite Things party is exactly what it sounds like: everyone brings an item (or several!) they swear by, wraps it up, and shares why it earned a spot in their routine. Over the years, it’s become my favorite way to discover new staples, revisit old favorites, and—perhaps most importantly—borrow a little bit of my friends’ excellent judgment.

What follows is a look at how I hosted this year’s party—from the table and the menu to the Favorite Things themselves. Consider it equal parts inspiration, shortcut, and invitation to start a tradition of your own.

The Tablescape

I designed the table in partnership with DC Rental, and we landed on a Nutcracker-inspired theme with a palette of blush pink, sage, and subtle gold glitter—festive, but still soft and elegant. I wanted it to feel seasonal without tipping into anything too literal, and just special enough to make the evening feel like an occasion.

The Nutcracker place card holders by Mrs. Alice added the perfect touch of charm, bringing the theme to life in a way that felt playful yet polished. The flowers, designed by Helen Olivia Flowers, were light and romantic, tying the colors together beautifully and softening the table so it felt welcoming rather than overly styled.

What I Wore

When I’m hosting, I always want my outfit to strike that balance between festive and functional—something that feels special, but still comfortable enough to move around, greet guests, and actually enjoy the evening. For this brunch, I leaned into color and texture with a pink floral sequin dress from Tuckernuck, which felt cheerful and celebratory without feeling overdone.

I paired it with Loren Hope earrings and bracelet for a little sparkle and navy suede Manolo Blahnik heels, which grounded the look and made it feel classic. Altogether, it was the kind of outfit that felt polished but easy—exactly what I want when I’m welcoming friends into my home.

The Menu

I kept the menu easy, familiar, and crowd-friendly. We ordered delivery from Tatte, which made hosting feel relaxed and seamless and allowed me to focus on my guests rather than the kitchen.

We served:

• Leek, Potato & Spinach Quiche

• Ham & Cheddar Quiche

• Sweet Pastry Assortment

• Savory Pastry Assortment

• Maple Squash & Chicken Salad (Group Size)

• Fruit Platter

Because some guests are gluten-, dairy-, and egg-free, I made sure there were options everyone could enjoy comfortably, and ordered some chocolate and glazed donut holes from Sweet Crimes Bakery on Capitol Hill to be safe. A little advance planning goes a long way here. It keeps things inclusive and ensures no one has to ask or feel singled out.

I also had an extremely talented girlfriend make the most beautiful vanilla buttercream cake.

The Drinks

For drinks, I kept things simple and unfussy. We had coffee, tea, and juice, along with Prosecco for a little celebratory sparkle.

I also set out the orange juice and grapefruit juice, which made it easy for guests to enjoy a classic mimosa or keep things alcohol-free if they preferred. It was the kind of setup that worked for everyone, without requiring much thought.

The Favorite Things

Once everyone had a drink in hand and plates were filled, it was time for the main event. This is the moment I look forward to every year—the part of the evening when everyone shares what they brought and why it earned a spot in their routine.

Favorite Things parties are parties for optimizers. They’re gatherings where your girlfriends—the ones whose taste you trust—have already done the research, tested the products, and figured out what’s actually worth keeping in rotation. Everyone shows up having already done the trial-and-error phase, so you get straight to the good stuff.

I brought the ZO Skin Brightening Sheet Masques, which I reach for anytime my skin feels tired, dry, or just a little off—after a long flight, during harsh weather, or when it could use some extra care. They’re wonderfully cooling and soothing, help calm redness, and leave your skin looking glowy and plump. Best of all, they’re gentle. No purging, no breakouts, no surprises—just skin that looks rested and happy.

I also selected Lavender Honey, Charlotte Tilbury’s Collagen Lip Bath, Laudemio extra virgin olive oil, and Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask. The Laneige isn’t new to me—I’ve loved it for years—but it’s one of those staples I never seem to have enough of. Some things are just that good.

Below is the full list of everything my friends brought—tried-and-true favorites, thoughtful little luxuries, and the kinds of things you find yourself recommending again and again.

• One/Size by Patrick Starr On ’Til Dawn Setting Spray

• Anthropologie Multi-Crystal Post Earrings

• Every Day with Babs

• Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara – Excessive Black

• Nest New York Ocean Mist & Sea Salt Candle

• Lavender Honey

• Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant Gel

• George Washington’s Rules of Civility

• Simplified Linen Journal

• Flower Knows Shell’s Jewel Collection 6-Color Makeup Palette

• Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

• Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper

• Laudemio Fattoria di Maiano Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure and Coloring Book for Adults

• Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath – Peachy Plump

• Zo Skin Brightening Sheet Masque

• Supergoop! Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30

• L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

• Eachy Travel Makeup Bag

• Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – Sweet Candy

• Jo Malone London Lavender & Moonflower Pillow Mist

• Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain Masque – Charming

• Yeti Rambler

• Mini Holiday Novelty Spatulas, Set of 4

Why I’ll Keep Hosting This Party

Every year, it reminds me why I keep coming back to this tradition. A Favorite Things party isn’t really about the things; it’s about the care behind them, and the joy of sharing what genuinely works with people you trust.

None of my friends are content creators or focused on commissions or links. These are truly the favorite things of some of my favorite people—items they use, love, and would recommend even if no one ever asked.

If you’ve ever considered hosting one, I hope this encourages you to try. And if nothing else, I hope this list becomes a helpful shortcut the next time you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or something tried and true to add to your own routine.

This first collection is all about candles. If you want to lean fully into Christmas, the Sapin and Frasier Fir options are fabulous. The rest work beautifully year-round, with La Droguerie being especially good in the kitchen because it manages odors without overpowering the room. And definitely check out the beautiful hand-painted tapers from MJ Tablescapes — they’re such a chic touch.

How cute are these little gold glitter nutcracker place card holders?! I don’t have them… but I wish I did. Entertaining Angels is a sweet spiritual book we received from friends. I share this recommendation with a major caveat: it’s only appropriate for Christian friends you feel truly confident would receive it well — but it’s very special to me. The persimmon vinegar is a fun, unexpected treat and perfect for friends who care about high-quality ingredients. You also can’t go wrong with Diptyque hand lotion and soap; I like the exfoliating wash in winter and the softening wash the rest of the year. And as a New England girl, Simon Pearce will always have my heart. If you know someone (hi, Mom!) who collects their trees, gifting another is such a lovely way to grow their collection.

And rounding out this list: for hosts who love games, a vintage board game or a beautifully made puzzle is always a hit. A cookbook that suits their style (I’m a big Meredith Hayden fan!), or specialty ingredients like truffle zest and real honeycomb, make thoughtful additions — you can even pair the honeycomb with pretty dishtowels or napkins. This is the olive oil my husband and I can’t live without, buy in bulk, and fill our wine fridge with it.

I’ve also linked the Wall Street Journal and New York Times custom birthday books. I know it may seem odd to give one if someone’s birthday isn’t around the holidays, but I just got my dad the WSJ version and he loved it. Each book includes the front page from the recipient’s birthday for every year of their life, which makes it such a meaningful keepsake.

I could keep going (and going…), but I’ll stop here for now. I hope this roundup is helpful! Let me know in the comments if you have other go-to host gifts you love.

You can find the full list of every product mentioned and pictured in this post plus more here.

If you’re looking for something traditional and want to match you’re wanting to match your male and female relatives of all ages, Petite Plume flannels are great. They come in a bunch of different colors, but the navy and red seems most flattering to me.

If you love a waffle texture (and who doesn’t!), we’re big fans of Beach Riot. For an even softer feel, PJ Salvage is a great go-to, and they have so many adorable holiday options. We ended up getting their pink candy cane pants and white sweatshirt with a pink bow.

Whether you’re into espresso martinis, pretty drinks and poinsettias, or an ode to Christmas carols, there are so many cute styles to choose from!

Now on the topic of feathers. I have bought and received so many matching feather pajama sets over the years. The harsh truth is that the only ones that were worth it were pretty pricey. While $300+ for pajamas that aren’t even practical enough to really wear to bed comfortably may sound like a lot, when I’ve worn others at much lesser price points, the feathers have fallen off, the material was see-through, and there was even a red pair that turned by legs red around the ankles.

Needless to say, if you are looking for a fanciful, feather splurge (no judgment!), IMO Sleeper is the only way to go. I have a pair of navy Sleeper pajamas with glitter that appear sold out, but these red and green look adorable for this year.

And as a grand finale for this little holiday PJ post, I also found this precious Nutcracker themed set on Etsy that comes with pants or shorts. As I type, I’m picturing Christmas morning pirouettes!

While I may not have a white couch anymore, I get it. I’m all about setting ourselves up for success during the holidays and making everyone feel welcome—especially our littlest guests. One of my favorite hosting tricks is giving kids a small gift when they walk in. It keeps them happy, occupied, and part of the celebration. And because I like to avoid unnecessary chaos, I steer clear of anything messy (looking at you, crayons, bubbles, and meltable chocolate).

So yes, I may not be the cool host with the best placemats that double as coloring fun, but I like to think I make up for it with other options.

Over the years, these little treasures have been such a hit at our Friendsgivings. The sunglasses, in particular, were a fan favorite. One sweet guest even brought them to school for show-and-tell months later.

Here is a curated list of kid-friendly, host-approved Thanksgiving gifts I’ve loved giving (and that parents have thanked me for later).