Welcoming guests is equal parts warmth and preparation—and having the right essentials makes hosting effortless and memorable. This guide focuses on practical, stylish, and party-ready items available at The Maharashtra Store, Pune, with a complete checklist you can use for everything from casual chai visits to full-on dinner parties and karaoke nights.
Of course! Here is a summary of the key hosting essentials from your blog post, presented in a clean, SEO-friendly table. This format is perfect for giving readers a quick overview of everything they need.
Ultimate Hosting Checklist: At a Glance
| Category | Essential Items |
|---|---|
| Entry & First Impressions | Doormat, Shoe rack, Umbrella stand, Scented diffusers |
| Dining & Table Essentials | Dinner plates, Quarter plates, Soup bowls, Dessert bowls, Serving platters, Thali sets |
| Glassware Essentials | Water glasses, Juice tumblers, Wine glasses, Whiskey glasses, Champagne flutes |
| Cutlery & Serveware | Dinner forks/knives/spoons, Dessert spoons, Serving spoons, Cake server |
| Disposable Essentials | Disposable plates, Bowls, Paper cups, Cutlery, Napkins, Garbage bags |
| Beverage Bar Setup | Coasters, Serving trays, Tea/coffee set, Water dispenser, Ice bucket, Bottle opener |
| Snacks & Appetizers | Snack trays, Chip-and-dip platters, Nut bowls, Cheese board, Chaat plates |
| Main Course Serving Gear | Hot pots, Soup pot, Rice bowl, Roti basket, Gravy boat |
| Dessert & After-Meal Treats | Dessert plates, Ice cream bowls, Cake stand, Kulfi moulds, Coffee cups |
| Protection & Cleanliness | Coasters, Table protectors, Paper towels, Stain removers, Handwash |
| Seating & Comfort | Foldable chairs, Floor cushions, Side tables, Mosquito repellents |
| Tech & Entertainment | Bluetooth speakers, Karaoke mic, Party lighting, Projector, Extension boards |
| Festive & Cultural Touches | Copper/brass lota, Traditional thali sets, Modak moulds, Torans, Diyas |
| Last-Minute Hosting Kit | Spare coasters, Napkins, Tealights, Bottle opener, Garbage bags, Masking tape |
| Quantity Planner | Plates, Glasses, Cutlery, Napkins, Serving dishes, Bottled water/ice |
| Curated Collections | Starter Hosting Set, Snack & Chai Set, Dinner Party Set, Eco Party Pack, Entertainment Pack |
Hosting Goals: Comfort, Convenience, and Conversation
A great host anticipates needs: serve beautifully, seat comfortably, keep things tidy, and create a lively atmosphere. The items below are grouped by experience—arrival, dining, serving, beverages, desserts, and entertainment—so nothing gets missed.
Entry & First Impressions
- Doormat and shoe rack/organizer
- Umbrella stand (seasonal)
- Scented diffusers or agarbatti for a fresh ambiance
- Small tray for keys/valet items
Tip: A neat entry sets the tone for the entire evening.
Dining & Table Essentials
These are the backbone of a smooth meal service. Choose coordinated sets to elevate the look instantly.
Crockery Must-Haves
• Dinner plates (ceramic/stoneware): 6–12 for small gatherings, 12–24 for larger
• Quarter plates/salad plates
• Soup bowls/khadi bowls
• Dessert bowls/katoris
• Dip bowls/condiment bowls
• Serving platters (oval/rectangular) for mains and appetizers
• Serving bowls with lids for gravies/biryanis
• Bread basket/roti box
• Thali sets (ideal for traditional meals and festive hosting)
Pro tip: Keep at least 2–3 neutral platters that match any menu.
Glassware Essentials
• Water glasses (stackable, durable)
• Juice tumblers/highballs
• Wine glasses (red/white) if serving wine
• Whiskey/rocks glasses
• Champagne flutes (for celebrations)
• Shot glasses (optional)
• Carafes/jugs with lids
Party hack: Use labelled glass charms or washable markers to avoid mix-ups.
Cutlery & Serveware
• Dinner forks, knives, spoons (matching set)
• Dessert spoons & forks
• Soup spoons
• Serving spoons, ladles, tongs
• Butter knife and cheese knives (for cheese boards)
• Cake server
Table Linens
• Tablecloths or runners (easy-clean)
• Placemats (heat-resistant)
• Cloth napkins or quality disposable napkins
• Napkin rings (optional but elegant)
Disposable Essentials (Easy Cleanup)
Perfect for kids’ parties, large get-togethers, or outdoor events.
• Disposable plates (areca/leaf/compostable options)
• Disposable bowls and compartment plates
• Paper cups and sturdy eco cups
• Disposable cutlery (wooden/biodegradable)
• Napkins (cocktail and dinner size)
• Garbage bags and bin liners
• Aluminum foil & cling film for leftovers
• Takeaway containers (handy for sending guests home with sweets or snacks)
Sustainability tip: Choose biodegradable disposables available at The Maharashtra Store.
Beverage Bar Setup
Create a mini beverage station so guests can help themselves.
• Coasters (cork/wood/ceramic sets)
• Serving trays (wood, metal, or melamine) for drinks and snacks
• Tea/coffee set (kettle, sugar pot, milk pot, cups/saucers or mugs)
• Chai glasses/cutting chai set for a Maharashtrian vibe
• Water dispenser/infuser with lemon & mint
• Ice bucket and tongs
• Bottle opener/corkscrew/wine stopper
• Mocktail/mixer kit: shaker, jigger, muddler, strainer
• Kulhads for festive serving of kadak chai, thandai, or rabdi
Hosting tip: Keep a tray stocked with masala, elaichi, and ginger for quick chai rounds.
Snacks & Appetizers
• Multi-compartment snack trays
• Chip-and-dip platters
• Nut bowls & small ramekins
• Cheese board with knives
• Chaat plates/bowls for bhel, pani puri, sev puri
• Pickle/condiment sets
Arrange a self-serve chaat corner for instant smiles.
Main Course Serving Gear
• Hot pots/thermal casseroles to keep rotis and curries warm
• Insulated soup pot
• Rice bowl with lid
• Roti basket with cloth liner
• Gravy boat
• Trivet/heat pads for hot dishes
Dessert & After-Meal Treats
• Dessert plates and bowls
• Ice cream bowls/coupes
• Cake stand and server
• Kulfi moulds (if making ahead)
• Coffee/espresso cups
• Meetha trays for barfi, pedha, laddoos
Sweet touch: Offer paan shots or mouth fresheners in small jars.
Protection & Cleanliness
• Coasters under every drink
• Table protectors/heat mats
• Paper towels and wet wipes
• Stain remover pen (for linens)
• Aprons and kitchen towels
• Handwash and paper napkins in washroom
• Scented candles/room spray for freshness
Seating & Comfort
• Extra foldable chairs or mudha stools
• Floor cushions/throws
• Side tables for placing glasses and plates
• Mosquito repellent (coils/liquid) for balconies
Tech & Entertainment
Turn a gathering into a party with the right gear—easy to set up and family-friendly.
• Bluetooth speakers: Portable, with deep bass and 8–12hr battery
• Karaoke mic/system: Wireless mic with echo/reverb, aux/Bluetooth connectivity
• Party lighting: LED strip lights or small disco bulb
• Projector or large-screen setup for movie nights or photo slideshows
• Extension boards and spare charging cables
Engagement idea: Create a shared playlist in advance; end with a karaoke round.
Festive & Cultural Touches (Great from The Maharashtra Store)
• Copper or brass lota/jug and glasses
• Traditional thali sets (steel/copper finish)
• Modak moulds (Ganesh Chaturthi), puran poli press
• Torans and diyas for decor
These add authenticity and charm while supporting local crafts.
Last-Minute Hosting Kit
Keep a dedicated box so prep is stress-free:
• Spare coasters, napkins, tealights
• Matchbox/lighter
• Bottle opener, corkscrew
• Toothpicks and stirrers
• Extra garbage bags
• Masking tape & marker (for labeling food containers)
Quantity Planner (Quick Reference)
• Plates: 2 per guest (1 dinner + 1 dessert); add 25% buffer
• Glasses: 2 per guest (water + beverage)
• Cutlery: 2–3 sets per guest if multi-course
• Napkins: 3–4 per guest for snacks + dinner
• Serving dishes: 1 per main, 1 per side, 1–2 for snacks
• Bottled water/RO + ice: 250–500ml per guest, more in summer
Curated Collections From The Maharashtra Store, Pune
Ask in-store for these ready-to-host bundles:
• Starter Hosting Set: 6 dinner plates, 6 quarter plates, 6 bowls, 6 glasses, cutlery set, coasters, 1 serving tray.
• Snack & Chai Set: Cutting chai glasses with stand, snack bowls, chip-and-dip platter, coasters, napkins.
• Dinner Party Set: 12-plate set, matching bowls, serving platters, 3 serving spoons/ladles, casserole hot pot, table runner, placemats.
• Eco Party Pack: Compostable plates, bowls, wooden cutlery, paper cups, napkins, garbage bags.
• Entertainment Pack: Bluetooth speaker, wireless karaoke mic, disco bulb, extension board.
Customization: Mix-and-match designs, metals (steel/copper/brass), and sustainable disposables based on theme and budget.
Hosting Timeline (Stress-Free Flow)
• 2–3 days before: Finalize menu, check quantities, stock disposables, test speaker/karaoke.
• 1 day before: Wash glassware, prep chutneys/dips, set up table linens, chill beverages.
• 2–3 hours before: Plate snacks, fill water jugs, set up serving trays, set coasters everywhere.
• 30 minutes before: Light fragrance, cue playlist, warm mains, place dessert spoons/plates ready.
How The Maharashtra Store Can Help
• One-stop shop for crockery, glassware, coasters, serving trays, disposables, hot pots, table linens, speakers, and karaoke systems.
• Local, traditional, and contemporary designs to match every home.
• Bulk and event orders welcome; curated gift hampers for hosts and festivals.