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As audiences grow increasingly overwhelmed by endless product lists and sales, CNN Underscored has become a trusted destination for thoughtful, curated holiday gift guides that help readers find unique gifts at the best prices. With a blend of editorial expertise and human-interest storytelling, Underscored connects readers to meaningful gifts and smart deals they can feel good about. To kick off the holiday season, we spoke with Amina Lake-Patel, CNN Underscored’s Home and Gifts Editor, about the trends shaping how people are hosting this year, her must-have entertaining picks, and how the team decides which products truly make the cut. 

What trends are setting the tone for hosting and celebrating this holiday season? 

One hosting trend I can really get behind is aesthetically pleasing cookware and bakeware for convenience without sacrificing style. When your cookware is colorful, patterned, or maybe even themed, you don’t need to transfer your food into separate dishes for serving. This also makes cleanup so much easier since you’ll have fewer things to wash at the end of the night. Plus, your baking dish or pot may even look pretty enough to skip a centerpiece. 

I’m also seeing a bigger focus on making the home feel cozy rather than picture-perfect. This could mean prioritizing mood lighting (like string lights or the glow of a candle warmer lamp) and adding inviting textures like plush throw blankets and pillows to your living room seating. These kinds of things can do wonders at making your visitors feel like they’re at home, and don’t require much extra effort on the host’s part. 

Which products are on your radar as must-haves for holiday entertaining this year? 

Boarderie’s Pre-Made Charcuterie Boards are incredible. If you love the idea of a showstopping charcuterie board but don’t want to spend hours building one, get one of Boarderie’s pre-made cheese and charcuterie boards for your next holiday gathering. I’ve used the service on several occasions and have been impressed every single time. You simply choose the delivery date (it comes with free overnight shipping, so you can even order for the next day) and your charcuterie board will arrive fully assembled with everything you need — crackers, jams, nuts, and more.  

Mitts The Starter Kitt - Hosting during the holidays often means you’re left with a dozen wine glasses waiting to be cleaned at the end of the night. Even though handwashing your stemware is never going to be “fun,” you can at least make it a bit easier with this clever sponge. Hold it with the beak closed to gently clean inside the delicate bowl of a wine glass, or hold it open to clean around the rim and base. It also works extremely well on knives! 

How does CNN Underscored decide which items make the cut for holiday coverage? What sets a product apart from the rest? 

Most of my holiday coverage right now consists of gift guides, and the gifting team very carefully curates every product that makes it into these stories. We prioritize gifts we’ve actually had our hands on, whether it was a winner in our best-tested guides or something we use in our everyday lives. We also love featuring the favorite presents we’ve given or received, so we crowdsource ideas from the entire team for inspiration (and we are always open to submissions). The most thoughtful gifts are usually either practical or sentimental, and they’re always tailored to the recipient’s interests or lifestyle. Personally, I love finding unique gifts they’ve probably never thought of or would normally not purchase for themselves.