Want to Host Like Martha Stewart This Holiday Season? Here are 3 Items She Can’t Live Without

Stewart swears by this machine for a very specific reason: "It makes a cappuccino that rivals anything I’ve ordered in Florence or Milan.” This is because it includes a built-in burr grinder for a guaranteed fresh cup, precision digital temperature control for pinpoint coffee extraction and a steam wand for silky microfoam. The machine also has a choice of automatic or manual operation for when you feel like putting on your barista apron (a Martha-approved hosting hack): “I set up an espresso station in my kitchen with all the requisites and let my houseguest play barista and serve themselves. It’s as much fun making your own frothy drinks as it is sitting down to enjoy them.”

“My Martha by Martha Stewart Cookware are my go-to pots and pans for making my classic seasonal dishes,” she tells us. “There are four collections, but, for holiday cooking, I especially like the Copper for its beauty and heat control, and the Enameled Cast Iron braisers and Dutch ovens for their ability to do everything from browning and braising to baking and frying—all in one pot.” She also adds: “They come in beautiful statement colors (like the muted taupe ‘ganache’ colorway to a vibrant ‘bay leaf’ green) that make them great for gifting.” 

Finally, “a key ingredient to a successful holiday party is having the right music and sound system,” Stewart says. In fact, in another interview from 2021, she told us, “One of the best parties I ever had was on Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton…I had a great big 50th birthday party and that was the most fun because we had fantastic South American music.” In terms of the holidays, however, she says, “I have several excellent playlists that I love to put on during the holidays to get the party going. Christmas classics are fun because everyone knows the lyrics and can sing along. I use my Samsung Sound Tower, which has high-tech speakers that sound like a live concert. What better way to entertain your guests and show them how much you appreciate them?”