Christina Hall's Top Summer Hosting Essentials Start at $5

Of course, no meal al fresco is complete without some flatware. While silver knives and forks might be the status quo,Hall likes to shake things up with an edgy black flatware set like this one from Thyme & Table. "It has some weight to them," the tastemaker shares. "It does not feel cheap at all."

If you want to host a fun party worth toasting to, it all starts at the bar cart. Topping Hall's shopping list is this four-piece shaker set, which she says is "all you need to make a delicious mocktail." (Hall and pal Cassie Schienle used this set to whip up a few non-alcoholic margaritas during the livestream.) This set might be decked out with a stirrer, jigger, strainer, and shaker, but it's not only practical: it's pretty, too. In fact, Hall admits that she leaves this set out to double as a "showpiece."

Found: An excellent place to stow charcuterie, small bites, or a fruit salad. "These look really, really fancy," Hall adds. "They're also heavy-duty." Hall and Schienle put Thyme & Table's trays to the test by going head-to-head in an impromptu cheeseboard making challenge.

When it comes to hosting, the magic is in the details. For a small, thoughtful touch that's also practical, Hall relies on some patterned kitchen towels. "They're all different, but they're all pretty," she says. Though this set has a range of patterns, they all fall in line with her black and gold vibe.

During the livestream, Hall asked: "When you're hosting a party and serving something, why not have it look gorgeous and match the aesthetic?" Fortunately, form and function come together beautifully with this pair of stoneware baking dishes. The moody onyx color is an upgrade from any chipped stoneware that might be lurking in your cabinets (no judgement!), plus they're freezer-, oven, and microwave-safe.

Here's your cue to raise a glass with this glam barware from Thyme & Table. "These are really elegant," Hall says. "We're all about the gold [trim]." Since they're sold separately at $5 each, you can cheers in style.

If you prefer to kick back and relax with a stiff beverage, this barware set is a no-brainer. It comes with a decanter and four tumblers, so there are enough glasses for you and a few friends—not to mention it looks quite fancy. "It could be ten times the price and it looks expensive," Hall says.

We can't back this up with science just yet, but meals taste a lot better when served on dapper dinnerware. Case in point: This dark stoneware set from Thyme & Table. "I have these on my floating shelves because they are so elegant," Hall shares. "I love black. I mean, I have a lot of black in my kitchen." Not only do they look good for less, but Hall also notes they're durable enough to be used time and time again. "Nothing I buy for entertaining is going to be off-limits," she notes.

As a self-proclaimed oenophile—Hall says she loves bold red varietals from Napa—she knows how important it is to aerate wine. Instead of throwing an entire bottle in a decanter, she reaches for MegaChef's portable aerator. "This is the fast, easy way to open up a wine. It really makes a difference," she adds. That way, she can aerate one glass at a time without spoiling the rest of the bottle. (Bonus points: The black and gold scheme matches the rest of her hosting essentials.)

Summer is synonymous with grilling, so whether you want to prep a chunk of pork shoulder or cut into a juicy steaks, knives will inevitably be part of your decor. But thanks to this golden 15-piece set, which includes a knife block and sharpener‚ your cutlery doesn't have to take a backseat. Hall says she'd happily leave this set out as practical decor. "It's something I always leave out, so why not have a beautiful set?" she asks. We couldn't agree more.