Want to make your dinner party just a little more elegant? A few well-designed serving pieces can make all the difference.

For drinks or dessert

这些光滑的金属和玻璃的生动性artini glasses caught our eye because they easily dress up a cocktail or even a dessert: Think creamy chocolate mousse or a fruit parfait.

Mikasa Axis martini glasses, $39.99 for a set of two atMikasaAndCompany.com.

Spoons that stand alone

For individual hors d’oeuvres, we’re trading in boring platters for these hors d’oeuvre spoons. They have stable handles to steady them, so just fill each with a little caviar, a bite’s worth of crème fraîche and smoked salmon, or an Asian dumpling, and set them right on the table to serve.

Set of six WMF Happy Spoons, $29.99 atZaccardis.com.

Insulated servers for cold or hot dishes

We like these new stainless-steel servers because they’re double-walled, which allows them to maintain their temperature. Just warm or chill them by filling them with hot or cold water, then pour out the water and add the food.

Bonjour stainless servers, from about $40 to $70 atPotsAndPans.com.

Perching plates for easier eating

At cocktail parties, it seems you can never have enough hands; you’re always clutching a plate and a glass. That’s why we’ve taken to these tapas plates, which sit right on top of a wine glass and let us have a free hand for a napkin or another nibble.

Set of four tapas plates, $19.95 atSurLaTable.com.

A better buffet server

You’ve probably seen chafing dishes at catered parties, but we think they’re a great item to have at home, too, for keeping food warm for a crowd. All-Clad’s chafing dishes are prettier than commercial versions and come in several sizes and shapes.

All-Clad 3-1/2-quart round chafing dish, $249.95 atCooking.com.