Must Haves: Summer Entertaining
Summer is finally here and with the new season comes new guests, and you probably need some new essentials for entertaining. Our area stores have everything you need to keep the party going, and so much more. Here are some things we decided you just can’t live without this summer.
1. LUXURY CANDLES
Entertaining this weekend? Infuse a luxury fine fragrance and light into your home with this beautiful Apothecary Guild candle from Zodax. Your guests will love the fragrance “Sunset Beach” as it evokes thoughts of relaxing days at the shore. The blue and white jar with its tortoise design is reusable and is a stunning accent for any home.
BluFish
2320 Dune Drive, Avalon | 1944 Rt. 9, Cape May Court House | blufishav.com
2. CERAMIC DINNERWARE
Beauty meets function. Ceramic pieces, each with unique variations in the glaze and minimal asymmetrical forms, make life a little more luxurious. Made in the USA.
Armadillo, Ltd.
2761 Dune Drive, Avalon
3. LOBSTER SWEATER
For the nights when it gets on the chilly side, what is better to warm up with than this Stone Harbor lobster sweater? Trendy and comfortable, you will wear it all season long!
The Local Boutique & Beanz Café
9505 Third Ave., Stone Harbor | thelocalsh.com
4. PARTY DRESS
It’s so important to be cool and comfortable when entertaining at home, and this dress by THML fits the bill. Constructed in a lightweight rayon blend and original navy floral print, this dress is fully lined and features adjustable spaghetti straps. You’ll stay cool all night, no matter how hot it is!
Here Comes the Sun
2101 Ocean Drive, Avalon | herecomesthesunavalon.com
5. EMBROIDERED SWEATSHIRTS
A custom embroidered and repurposed sweatshirt by I Stole My Boyfriend’s Shirt makes the perfect hostess gift. With stylish, lived-in softness and embroidery of their shore town, these sweatshirts are effortlessly chic and full of local charm. Made in California, they are available in a wide range of colors with Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Sea Isle embroidery. Ideal for cool beach nights, coffee runs, or cozy mornings on the deck, they’re a wearable reminder of their happy place. Thoughtful, practical, and luxurious, this is one gift they’ll never leave behind when packing for the shore.
Closet Boutique
2509 Dune Drive, Avalon | closetboutiqueavalon.com
6. MATCHING OUTFITS
Hosting for the holiday weekend and want your little ones looking their best? These matching Janie and Jack outfits are perfect for celebrating! Featuring an embroidered American flag oxford shirt and a coordinating dress, they’ll be cute as can be for all your Fourth of July festivities.
Nesting
9501 Third Ave., Stone Harbor | nestingstoneharbor.com
7. COASTERS
These Smathers & Branson citrus needlepoint coasters are perfect for the beach house bar cart. Each one is hand-stitched with bold citrus designs that instantly brighten any table. The wooden frame and matching holder give them a polished, timeless look for any host or hostess, while the colorful needlepoint adds just the right amount of fun. Perfect for summer cocktails, backyard get-togethers, or simply sipping something cold after a day on the sand.
Global Pursuit
262 96th St., Stone Harbor | 4000 Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City
shopglobalpursuit..com
8. MAXI DRESS
Electric & Rose’s Neely maxi dress in a wildflower print is perfect for summer entertaining at home. Given the effort involved in hosting, looking effortlessly chic should be the goal, and this dress delivers. The vibrantly colorful maxi is lightweight, easy to wear, and machine washable. And, of course, red, white, and blue are the perfect colors for summer celebrating.
Annabelle
2174 Dune Drive, Avalon
9. UNBREAKABLE GLASS
Built by nature, designed for life. Unbreakable “glass” made in America … drinkware that provides a luxurious look and feel of glass while being virtually indestructible. Unlike traditional glass or plastic alternatives, this product is crafted using a glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) derived from plants. This biodegradable, fully recyclable material is BPA-and BPS-free, offering a sustainable yet premium alternative to single-use plastics. A perfect choice for your morning juice/smoothy or your signature cocktail. Cheers!
Olive Tree
211 96th St., Stone Harbor
10. SUN PROTECTIVE HOODIE
This lightweight UPF hoodie is a must-have beach basic for long days in the sun. With built-in sun protection and breathable fabric, it keeps you cool while shielding your skin, perfect for fishing, boating, or just lounging at the beach. Featuring a patriotic fish flag design and Stone Harbor coordinates on the back. Throw it on over a swimsuit for easy, sun-smart style.
Wave One
221 96th St., Stone Harbor | waveonesports.com
11. PIZZA OVEN
Host the perfect pizza party at home with a Gozney Pizza Oven! Cook for a crowd with easy temperature control and unbeatable heat retention, creating epic pizzas in 60 seconds in your own backyard.
Seashore Ace Home and Outdoor Living
260 96th St., Stone Harbor | seashoreace.com
12. ANEU KITCHEN
ANEU Kitchen is the secret to effortless entertaining, and it’s now available right here on the Seven Mile Beach. Known for its fresh prepared foods and healthy snacks, ANEU brings gourmet flair without the stress. From delicious salads and dips to crowd-pleasing bites perfect for happy-hour spreads, it’s entertaining made easy. Just pick up a few of their ready-to-serve favorites, and you’re set for a sunset cocktail party or beachside brunch, no prep required. ANEU is the new go-to for hosting with ease.
Louella
2819 Dune Drive, Avalon | louellastyle.com
13. STATEMENT PAINTING
A must-have for your home entertainment haven! Craig Alan’s “We All Scream” commands a room and sparks discussion. This ingenious giclee on canvas (30-by-40 inches) features a micro-population portrait of the iconic Bomb Pop, offering engaging and crowd-pleasing artistry.
Ocean Galleries
9618 Third Ave., Stone Harbor | 2199 Ocean Drive, Avalon
14. SERVING DISH
Set the scene for effortless summer entertaining with this Stone Harbor serving dish by Mariposa. Whether you're serving up snacks by the pool or appetizers on the deck, it’s designed to handle it all with style. Heat safe, microwave- and oven-friendly, and totally dishwasher safe, this platter is as practical as it is polished. Plus, it’s BPA- and formaldehyde-free, food-safe, and proudly made in the USA. A must-have for any host who wants to keep things easy, breezy, and beautifully beachy.
Stephanie’s of Stone Harbor
9720 Third Ave., Stone Harbor
15. SURFBOARD
Whether you’re just learning to surf or looking to upgrade your current setup, the Catch Surf 7-foot Easy Rider in the Ben Gravy signature print is a beach-day essential. Its egg shape offers the perfect balance of stability and maneuverability – ideal for beginners finding their groove or seasoned surfers wanting a reliable, fun ride. The lightweight EPS core, double maple wood stringers, and tri-fin setup make it super durable and easy to handle, while the bold pineapple skull print adds a pop of personality to your lineup.
She Be Surfin’
221 96th St., Stone Harbor | 2516 Dune Drive, Avalon | shebesurfin.com
16. SCARF
Lightweight, luxurious, and made from 100% organic cotton, this Létol scarf is a summer essential you’ll reach for again and again. Ethically woven in France and available in a rainbow of rich colors and prints, this best-selling accessory adds effortless style to any outfit. Drape it over your shoulders on cool nights or tie it to your bag for a chic daytime touch. However you wear it, the Létol scarf is a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe and makes a great hostess gift.
Caroline Boutique
400 Carpenters Lane, Cape May | carolineboutiquecapemay.com
17. USA Sweater
This USA sweater is easygoing and all-American. Just in time for the Fourth, this relaxed cotton sweater features bold “USA” intarsia lettering with a cool, lived-in feel. A classic crewneck fit and soft cotton yarns make it the perfect throw-on layer for breezy nights at the shore.
The Preppy Palm
2533 Dune Drive, Avalon
18. UNIQUE DÉCOR
This German-engineered Vintage Copper “clock” is impressive in its 36-inch size. It’s entertaining in its own right! The unique surface is inspired by patinated copper on roofs, sculptures, and coins. In some places, you can sense the bright colors of the copper and others are reminiscent of a bluish green submarine world. Each surface in the Creator’s Series individually applied, signed, and numbered – available in three sizes & 26 languages!
Trendz
215 96th St., Stone Harbor
19. TRENDY TOWELS
This striped towel will become a beloved fixture of family time spent seaside or poolside. Woven in Portugal with 100% cotton, thick stripes alternate between a white Terry loop and flat-woven colors that are perfect for fashionable sun-drenched days by the water.
Trendz Home
215 96th St., Stone Harbor
20. FRED’S VINTAGE SHIRTS
Looking for a host gift? These new “vintage” shirts and sweatshirts from Fred’s Tavern are sure to be a hit! The Stone Harbor Museum found an old Fred’s Cafe ad where the slogan was “Just a place where old friends meet.” The owners at Fred’s loved it and decided to make it their own – again, with a twist. Now “A place where friends meet” is something you will be hearing again and again. Makes a great gift for any partygoer or party thrower!
Fred’s Tavern and Liquor Store
314 96th St., Stone Harbor | fredstavern.net
21. ICE CREAM SCOOPERS
Keep it cool for summer entertaining with these adorable and vibrant ice cream scoopers. Impress your guests by pairing them with your favorite ice cream pint, creating the perfect dessert spread or a thoughtful hostess gift.
Gingy’s
9718 Third Ave., Stone Harbor | shop.gingysd.com
22. EERO ROUTER
This sleek eero router is the ultimate hosting hack, perfect for powering summer entertainment from the patio to the poolside. With lightning-fast speeds and seamless connectivity, it keeps your smart TVs streaming, playlists pumping, and guests scrolling without a hitch. Its minimalist design blends right into your space, while built-in smart home support means no extra clutter. Whether you're queuing up a backyard movie or syncing up the lights on the patio, eero ensures your Wi-Fi is as reliable and stylish as possible. Find eero at Sound Advice in Stone Harbor.
Sound Advice & Video
336 96th St., Stone Harbor | visitsoundadvice.com