Take Guests to Tuscany Without Leaving Home

Want to get away? Travel for dinner to an Italian hillside? Sip your favorite wine while dining on antipasto, warm bread and Mediterranean delights?

Sounds perfect doesn’t it?

Better yet, you don’t have to travel far to spend a lovely Tuscan evening with friends. From preparing delicacies in the kitchen to planning a dinner under the September stars, HomeGoods can help make your “evening in Tuscany” a success.

You can keep it simple by serving an array of wine and cheese pairings to encourage your guests to wander and mix it up while visiting with one another.

Photo from HomeGoods

Or you can invite them inside to a beautifully set fall table. Lessen your workload by serving bread, salad and a pot of your favorite pasta. This table setting is so inviting. I believe a one-pot meal shared with family and friends equals the perfect evening.

What’s your favorite pasta or one-pot dish to make for friends?

Photo from HomeGoods

Make sure to prep your wine, cheese and bread buffet table. Have you shopped the gourmet food aisle lately? There’s so much to choose from. As for me, I love the oils. I’ve tried some new flavors recently, adding pecan, walnut and sesame to our staples, as well as olive and coconut or avocado (my personal favorite).

We also like olives, capers and the variety of chips and crackers we can combine them with. I grabbed one of the pastas to make for dinner last week and it was delicious.

So don’t forget to treasure hunt the food aisle . . . you’ll be surprised what you’ll find!

Photo from HomeGoods

Then stroll through the aisles full of dishes and serving pieces. And don’t forget about jugs and bottles. They’re beautiful accessories for serving dressings and sauces.

My daughter recently taught me that olive oil and flavored vinegars can be stored for a long time when kept separate, but only for a few days when mixed. The above decanters are perfect for mixing and serving your favorite salad dressing or dip for warm fresh bread. (Another personal favorite.)

Photo from HomeGoods

Thinking bigger than an evening of entertaining? Are you looking for ideas to redecorate your kitchen or dining room? I could move into this space. I love the table and sideboard. The chairs and light fixture are fantastic, too.

If you’re not in the market for a complete redo, how about new copper cookware or new dishes? You can quickly update your space with a new rug or a bench. Sometimes it’s just as much fun to find something small, like wire storage baskets.

That’s what I love about treasure hunting at HomeGoods. I’ve been able to give a room a complete makeover or simply boost my mood by personalizing my home with an item or two. I never know what I’m going to find, but I know it’s going to make me happy!

So, are you ready for an evening with friends, celebrating some of the beauty of the Italian countryside? Share your ideas for an international evening at home in the comments.

Deb Wolf shares inspiration at Counting My Blessings. She believes every day should be celebrated and filled with laughter. (Join her on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.)