How to Put It Together

Fill the pantry shelves with decorative spreaders and long-lasting jarred items, such as grape leaves, confits, and tapenades.

Include various serving pieces. Tall cups are great for bread sticks, large bowls for crackers, a beautiful pitcher for eggnog.

Add a sizable tray for easy serving. It will keep you from running back and forth between the pantry and the party.

Provide sparkling water and fancy sodas for the designated drivers and underage folk.

Bonus Party-Prep Idea

Buy reasonably priced wines in bulk so you’ll never need to sprint to the store, even if your guests tend to be very merry. Many wine shops and online retailers, like www.winelibrary.com and www.shoppersvineyard.com, offer 20 percent discounts when you buy 12 bottles. And most let you mix and match wines within the case. Not every state can receive wine shipments, however, so check the fine print on the website before you get too giddy about that $5 bottle of Malbec you discovered on your last trip to Argentina.

Shown, top shelf:
1. Fattorie & Pandea Fornini bread sticks with sea salt, $3 for four ounces, available at fine grocery stores nationwide.
2. Divina stuffed grape leaves, $5 for seven ounces, www.gourmetofoldecity.com.
3. Bazzini pistachio nuts, $6.50 for one pound, www.bazzininuts.com for stores.
4. O&Co. onion paste, $12 for six ounces, www.oliviersandco.com.
5. Mary’s Gone Crackers, $4.50 for seven ounces, available at fine grocery stores nationwide.
6. La Tourangelle oil, $13, 500-milliliter bottle; $25, three 250-milliliter bottles: www.latourangelle.com.
7. Peppadew peppers, $13.50 for two 14-ounce jars, www.peppadewusa.com.
8. La Panzanella Croccantini herb-infused crackers, $6 for eight ounces, available at fine grocery stores nationwide.
9. Santa Barbara stuffed olives, $4 for five ounces, www.sbolive.com.
10. Bella Cucina arugula and pine-nut pesto, $8.50 for six ounces, www.bellacucina.com.
11. Global Exchange bamboo serving bowls in red, $72 for three (two shown), www.globalexchange.org.
12. Bambu bamboo salad bowl, $48, www.re-modern.com.

Shown, bottom shelf:
13. Z. Gallerie horn-handle spoons and spreaders, $20 for four, www.zgallerie.com.
14. Nancy Koltes at Home cotton cocktail napkins, $2.50 each, www.nancykoltesathome.com.
15. Caspari gold lacquer bowls, about $15 each, www.casparionline.com for stores.
16. Mint-julep cup, $18, www.beau-coup.com.
17. Barona tray, $39, www.potterybarn.com.
18. Sparkling water, spring water, and soda, prices vary, available at grocery stores nationwide.
19. 2006 Edna Valley Chardonnay and 2004 St. Francis Syrah, $15 each, www.beekmanliquors.com.