This “Dunk Mug” from British purveyor, Mocha, is a perfectly efficient, clever way of having a coffee or tea break. The cookies slide right in the bottom, eliminating the need for a plate and a mug.

This would make a perfect gift for a coffee or tea lover. Mocha even offers a left-handed version of the mug should you need it!

Cheers!

"Dunk Mug" from Mocha

Everyone takes their coffee a slightly different way and I find it helpful to offer guests a variety of choices and allow them to fix their coffee they way that they prefer.

I generally offer half and half, as well as skim milk. This requires two creamers, of course, and for this I look for creamer sets in graduated sizes. I use a smaller one for cream and a larger one for milk. (Williams-Sonoma used to carry a perfect set of creamers in three sizes; the stores carry only one size now but the Williams-Sonoma Outlets may still carry the graduated set.)

Personally, I am not a fan of flavored creams and do not serve those. Nor do I serve powdered cream, but do keep some on hand for guests who may request it.

And then, there is the sugar. An entire post could be dedicated to this but I am not sure we want the series to go on interminably! So here are a few ideas with respect to sugar and sweetener.

For sugar, I like to serve demerara (also called turbinado) sugar. Most grocery stores will sell it but if yours does not, check a gourmet grocer like Dean & Deluca or Balducci’s. I also have regular sugar on hand for guests who don’t like raw sugar, though recently I have only been stocking organic sugar in my cupboard so that will have to do!

Many of my friends are very calorie conscious and often prefer sugar substitute to sugar itself. Because of that, I usually offer Splenda and other sugar substitutes along with the sugar. My husband prefers Splenda so we buy it buy the bagful and regularly fill a sugar container full of it. For other sweeteners, I like to buy the packets in bulk and serve them in a container like what you might see at a restaurant. This one from Container Store has worked well for me.

Glass Sugar Packet Holder from Container Store

What follows is an assortment of cream and sugar sets which represent both modern and more traditional options.

Be sure to stay tuned for additional posts in this coffee series where we’ll focus on coffee accessories, machines, and more!

Cream and Sugar Sets

For informal entertaining the cream and sugar set is a particularly nice way to insert color and personality into your tablescape. This one from NOVICA is made by Thai artists using traditional Thai ceramic processes.

Celadon ceramic sugar bowl and creamer, 'Botanical Heaven' from NOVICA

This artful set from HORNE would add a modern twist to any table.

Milky Major & Sugary Soldier Set by Jorine Oosterhoff, available at HORNE

This embossed cream and sugar set would make a nice addition to a family’s everyday table.

Crate & Barrel Embossed Cream and Sugar Set

For more formal occasions, Waterford and Arte Italica offer lovely options.

Waterford Footed Crystal Cream and Sugar Set

Arte Italica Caffe Cream & Sugar Set with Tray available at Geary's

Coffee is an essential part of almost any meal, whether formal or informal. Not just because I am addicted to the stuff, but because it plays such an important part in entertaining, I will be dedicating a series of posts over the next few weeks to the topic.

In this first post, I will cover coffee serveware.  In future posts, I’ll cover creamer and sugar sets, coffee accessories, coffee and espresso machines, and other coffee accoutrements.

COFFEE SERVEWARE

After you’ve brewed the perfect pot of coffee, it is important to consider in what you will be serving it. For small gatherings (six or less people) it’s perfectly acceptable to use the carafe from your coffee maker.

For larger gatherings (6-12 people) or for times when you feel guests will enjoying lingering over a few cups of coffee, it is important to have a functional carafe, and preferably a thermal one to keep the coffee hot over time.

For new entertainers, one of my favorite carafes to consider is the Mirror Carafe from Crate & Barrel. The price point is accessible, the coffee stays hot for many hours, and its simple aesthetic is appealing:

Mirror Carafe from Crate & Barrel

The creme de la creme brand of thermal carafes is considered to be Alfi. Their wide selection of carafes offers something for everyone.

Alfi Carafe available at Williams-Sonoma

Alfi's Achat Carafe

This Alfi Opal carafe would be perfect for outdoor entertaining.

Alfi Opal Carafe Chrome Plated Brass with Brown Wicker

Non-thermal coffee carafes abound. Oftentimes, carafes are offered as part of a china service so if you are registering for or completing your china set, consider including the carafe in the pieces you select. Otherwise, simply scout out a carafe that you like. Here are some beautiful options.

STELTON's Arne Jacobsen Coffee Pot

Royal Copenhagen White Full Lace Coffee Pot & Cover

TIffany's Cirque Chinois coffee pot in hand-painted Limoges porcelain

For fans of french pressed coffee (and who isn’t?!), Bodum’s thermal press available at Sur La Table is lovely. Thermal presses are not as ubiquitous as regular french presses, but are far more functional — solving the frustrating issue the coffee getting cold quickly in the press after the first pour.

Bodum's Thermal French Press available at Sur La Table

Bodum also makes a double-walled glass french press, also available at Sur La Table, that also keeps coffee warm for up to two hours — a nice alternative if one does not like the somewhat bulkier look of a thermal press.

Bodum Double-Walled French Press

For larger parties, you cannot go wrong with this functional and handsome coffee urn from All Clad, available at Williams-Sonoma:

All-Clad Stainless Steel Coffee Urn, available at Williams-Sonoma

Made by White Lion Tea, honey pearls are crystalized honey and are 100% natural. Offer the pearls when serving iced or hot tea or coffee. Guests will love the new twist on sweetening their beverage.

A jar of the sweet goodness would make a lovely hostess gift — especially for a tea party.

White Lion's Honey Pearls