With July comes sunny weather, holiday parties and endless excuses to host friends and family for grilled food and drinks on warm evenings. As fun as these events are, though, we all feel the pressure to upgrade our hosting space with what’s trendy, while remaining practical in buying items that will get used far past just one night.
To help chill some of this summer stress, Jenna Bush Hager has some recommendations for summer entertaining essentials. From handcrafted icon glasses to melamine plates and even some fruit-shaped (and scented!) candles, you’re sure to find something on this list that’s worthy of making an appearance at your next event.
Here are her picks and more trending items to shop for the season.
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This juice glass can serve as a cute, yet still functional, accent piece on any dining table or kitchen shelf this summer. With over 30 patterns to choose from, including everything from fruit to bumble bees and even bows, you can mix and match or choose a set that's unique to you and your personality.
Who doesn't love a dishwasher-safe decorative plate? These melamine plates feature a timeless design reminiscent of classic china patterns that can be easily matched with preexisting table setting pieces already in your collection. Not to mention, the material makes them resistant to chips and breaks. Even better? You can now use the code TODAY15 at checkout for 15% off sitewide until July 10.
Your guests are sure to compliment these colorful plates with their classic tobacco leaf pattern. You'll never have to worry about leaving these for special occasions — while their sturdy weight makes them feel high-end, they're still dishwasher safe. Use the code TODAY15 at checkout for 15% off sitewide.
If casual, simple prints are more your style, these ceramic plates are another great option. Coming from Amazon, you can guarantee they'll be here in time for your next summer event. Whether you're snacking by the pool or putting on a big dinner, these plates are also dishwasher safe, making post-party clean up easier than ever. Plus, they come in an appetizer-sized plate, too!
Pesky fruit flies might just be one of the worst things about summer. Luckily, with this mesh dome, fruit and other foods can still stay out and remain bug-free. Not to mention, the detailing makes this a decor win as well.
This heirloom tomato candle set is the perfect way to get guests talking at your next summer soiree. Scentless, these candles take away any worry of triggering those sensitive to smell and make them perfect for just about any home.
These mini candles are scented to smell like the best fruits of summer, helping transform your home into a summer oasis. They're cute, practical and are designed to not release black smoke after extinguishing, which makes this a win-win all-around.
Similar to the strawberry candles above, this orange candle works as a decor piece and room scent all in one. With a scent derived from essential oils, you can bring summer inside your living room.
Gone are the days that you feel you have to hide your pool floaties for company with this retro-design pool float. It's easy to let your troubles swim away with this adorably simple design that even features a built-in drink holder that makes it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite beverage while trying to stay cool on a hot day. Use the code TODAY for 25% off sitewide until July 14.
More trending items to shop
These stemless wine glasses have a focus on affordability and style, at just $10 for a pack of four. Not to mention, with the variety of colors, your guests will never have to worry about mixing up their drinks. Love the pattern but not a fan of the style? Target has the same pattern available in both low and tall tumbler styles for the same price.
This placemat has seen love on social media for its simple and clean design, that can add a pop of color or that extra bit of “umph” to any table setting. Being cotton, these placemats are easily washable, making it a stress-free zone from spills or other stains.
This small fan is battery operated and will blend in wherever you put it, but not go unnoticed. These fans are highly-rated (over 4.4 stars) for their ability to keep bugs away effectively and with minimal effort. Not to mention, these fans are an environment-friendly alternative to classic traps and repellent sprays.
These bowls make it easy to prep, store and serve all in the same go, minimizing dishes and making post-meal clean up quicker and easier than ever. With a set of four coming in a variety of sizes, you’re covered no matter what you make or how many people you’re serving.
These napkin rings will keep a taste of summer on your table all year round, and are perfect for adding an extra dash of personality into your seasonal place settings. Not to mention, these would pair perfectly with the fruit-themed candles linked above. Not quite your vibe? Anthropologie has many other colorful and highly rated options available as well.
The Anthropologie Madeline designs have seen many “hearts” on social media and their website for the simplistic design and color schemes that go perfectly with spring and summer table themes. Available in 11 colors, these napkins aren’t hard to match to what you already have, while elevating your table settings effortlessly.
Whether you want to keep the kids amused or you're hosting a movie night for yourself, this projector makes it easy to have a night under the stars with minimal set up or effort. Easily portable, all this projector needs is a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection for an evening of outdoor binge-watching.
Meet the expert
- Jenna Bush Hager is an author, journalist and the host of Today with Jenna & Friends. She joined TODAY as both a correspondent and contributor in August 2009.
How we chose
These picks were chosen by Jenna Bush Hager. Additionally, the Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to help readers on the hunt for the latest trending products make their lives easier. Items are sold by individual retailers, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of time of publication.
