At Aera, we're frequently sharing our opinions with each other, from favorite lifestyle blogs, and seasonal scents, to tips about home decor and hosting parties. For our new Aera blog, we conducted a little internal survey, and asked: In addition to Aera, what are your 5 must-haves for entertaining guests at your home? Here are the "results"!

Sandra's Entertaining Must-Haves:

1. A clean home
2. Lit candles
3. A decorated table
4. Curated playlist
5. Fresh flowers

Images c/o My Domaine, Pinterest

Candice's Entertaining Must-Haves:

1. A pin-worthy cheese board
2. Herb & Spice Popcorn from Trader Joe’s (it’s addicting!)
3. A great Spotify playlist
4. A fully stocked bar cart with all the makings for a fun cocktail
5. Chilled bottle of bubbly ready for popping, because there is always something to celebrate!

Images c/o Pinterest

Danielle's Entertaining Must-Haves:

1. Beautiful glassware and plateware
2. Candles
3. Cloth napkins
4. Flowers
5. Music

Rachel's Entertaining Must-Haves:

1. I love to come up with new menus for entertaining - so my first 5 thoughts are all food: appetizers, a main dish, side dishes, a vegetarian option and dessert…
2. Wine and/or beer paired with the menu
3. Sometimes I like to find a signature cocktail for the evening
4. Music
5. My parties always include a theme. I think it’s a fun way to get people to relax and is a definite ice-breaker! Sometimes it’s something traditional like a game or movie night. Sometimes it’s something absolutely ridiculous. This weekend, for example, we’re having a unicorn themed party. Everyone has to wear a unicorn shirt and I’m making pink cupcakes with star-shaped sprinkles. It’s only going to be a topic of conversation for about 3 minutes, but it’s going to start everyone laughing right from the start.

Natasha's Entertaining Must-Haves:

1. A fresh and clean house
2. Homemade food
3. Wine
4. Music
5. Dessert

Images c/o Pinterest

Kelsey's Entertaining Must-Haves:

1. Tealights in Glassybabys
2. Red wine in a decanter
3. Background music (for dinner parties, I like Billie Holiday, Florence and the Machine, or Gypsy Kings – depends on the mood)
4. Empty sink (and hopefully clean counters!)
5. A cheese tray with at least 4 varieties of cheese