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When it comes to holiday entertaining, it's easy to fixate on the food and overlook the vessel that displays your works of culinary art. But every talented artist knows that a masterpiece starts with a great canvas—in this case, an eye-catching party platter. Even if your kitchen or dining room's design feels outdated, a pretty platter is an easy and inexpensive way to add a touch of style. Whether it's holding the Thanksgiving turkey or just serving as a trivet for a side dish, these 6 show-stopping platters are sure to leave your guests talking.
1. Board Room [photo above]
With their one-of-a-kind shape and reasonable price tag, these olive-wood paddle boards top our list for the best holiday hostess gift. Their deep marbled wood grain comes courtesy of organic oil rubbed on by German woodworkers, and they can even be monogrammed for an extra-personal touch. When they're not being passed around to party-goers, display the leather-hooked trays on a kitchen wall to add an instant rustic layer.
Olive wood paddle boards, $19 to $39, west elm
2. Rock Star
Photo: Courtesy of Rablabs
These distinctive stone platters put the "luxe" in luxury. Brazilian craftsman slice and polish the stone slabs by hand, then finish their natural edges with sterling silver or 24-karat gold. Way too gorgeous to be stashed away when the party's over, these platters can hold an arrangement of candles for a kitchen counter when they're not employed for entertaining.
Kiva platters, $380 to $420, Rablabs
3. Brass Tacks
Photo: Courtesy of Zinc Door
A platter doesn't have to be complicated to make a statement; some of the most indulgent designs are simple in appearance but rich in materials. This tray's combination of a thick white marble base accented with antiqued brass handles is nothing short of sumptuous. The raised edge makes this our cocktail-hour pick, since it's perfect for passing out apertifs. When entertaining is through, this round tray makes a great counter catch-all for often used oils and spices.
Arteriors Warsaw tray, $432, Zinc Door
4. Say Cheese
Photo: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma
This rough-hewn slate platter makes keeps you from having to inform (and then re-inform) guests which cheese they're about to indulge in. Use the included soapstone chalk to write the name of each variety of cheese on the board—no cheat sheet required! Bonus: The heavy-duty slate is tough enough to double as a trivet come dinnertime.
Brooklyn Slate cheese board, $24, Williams-Sonoma
5. Bare Bones
Photo: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma
This sleek tray blends contemporary and rustic materials for a rich yet restrained appeal. The tempered glass base is flanked by handles fashioned from polished water buffalo bone. The handles give the tray a decidedly masculine feel, while the translucence of the glass makes it a great choice for showcasing an artfully ornate amuse-bouche.
Bone and glass tray, $69, Williams-Sonoma
6. Tantalizing Texture
Photo: Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Sometimes the most wow-worthy platter is the one with the fewest bells and whistles. Though we love embellishments, taking it back to basics (with the tiniest of twists) can be jaw-droppingly beautiful. This extra-large stoneware platter is crafted entirely by hand and finished with a rich glaze. While its knobby texture makes it a standout piece, it's versatile enough to mix and match with virtually any dinnerware.
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