Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party at home or expecting guests to visit on and off throughout the season, a spirited home bar keeps the cheer flowing. See our top tips to set up your bar for success.
Create a dedicated space
Pick out a spot away from the kitchen for guests to get drinks and congregate. Use a bar cart for small spaces or create a spread of liquor, mixers, and all the accoutrements on a buffet or sideboard. If you already have a bar space in your home – even better! Just stock it and add décor.
Get stocked
For guests with varied tastes, provide a variety of spirits and mixers to create a wide selection of popular cocktails. It’s best to have a vodka, rum, tequila, gin, bourbon, and scotch on-hand alongside vermouth, bitters, simple syrup, and a selection of juices, mixers, and garnishes.
Or pare down
If you have limited bar space (or a more limited budget), consider offering just one or two large batch options such as mulled wine, spiked cider, cocoa, or punch, or a simple mimosa bar with sparkling wine and a selection of juices.
Photo by House of Silver Lining
Have the proper tools
An ice bucket with tongs is a must for any bar, while jiggers, cocktail shakers, and stirring spoons make constructing drinks even easier. Be sure to offer plenty of appropriate glassware – mugs for warm drinks, wine glasses, rocks glasses for sipping drinks, and highball or Collins glasses for mixed drinks.
Add some sparkle
Get guests in the spirit of the season with holiday accents. Use garlands, decorative trees, and other Christmas accessories to keep the look seasonably stylish. Pick a holiday color scheme like this glitzy silver-and-gold one, or go more traditional with greenery and cozy fabrics.
Photo courtesy of The Decor Diet
With a smartly stocked home bar, guests can easily serve themselves holiday cheer, leaving you time to focus on the gift of gathering. Find everything you need (minus the potent potables) to stock your home bar for the season and all year round at Hayneedle.
Discover More Holiday Ideas:
- Find out how to decorate your table for Christmas for the perfect table decor at your next holiday gathering.
- Create a beautiful family space with our 15 Christmas Living Room Ideas.
- Explore 14 Inspiring Christmas Decorating Theme Ideas to bring the holiday spirit throughout your home.