Welcome to week 2 of the Holiday Party Planning Series! Now that your invitations are in the mail, it time to start planning out the day of your event! This week, let’s talk drinks & bar cart set up! If you don’t have a bar cart, that’s totally okay! You can incorporate everything I’m going to cover today into your counter or table top set up! Let’s get started!
Bar Cart Set Up
In my home, the bar cart stays out & set up all year long! This means I transition what I keep on it to match with each season or holiday! If you’re and all-out Christmas lover like myself, you’re going to want to accessorize your cart with reds, greens and golds! Pro Tip: If you would like to keep some of your items on your cart for the whole Winter season, use gold as one of your main accent colors! Not only is it metallic and holiday-appropriate, but it will transition well into the coming months with blues for winter!
Here is a list of items I have displayed on my bar cart for the holiday party season!
TOP SHELF: Gold paper straws in a clear decorative glass, white wine, a red & white mug full of candy canes, white & gold ice bucket, red, green and white printed paper cup stacks, holiday cocktail napkins, a decorative nutcracker.
BOTTOM SHELF: a bowl of faux lemons (year round), assortment of Belvoir, Whiskey and Vodka, a white 2-tier dessert stand, and hot chocolate mix! I plan to add a small bowl of marshmallows as well on the day of my party!
I always hang 2 matching towels off the handle of my bar cart, which I have changed to a red “Cheers” set that I recently found at Home Goods!
Drink Recipes
White Christmas Sangria
Serves 4-6
2 Bottles of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay
¾ cup Sparkling Cider
¼ cup of Sugar
¼ cup of Cranberries, halved
¾ cup of cranberries, whole
1 Granny Smith Apple
3 Rosemary Sprigs
Garnish: rosemary sprigs
Source
During my party planning, Disney released a brand new book that I just have to share with you! Entertaining with Disney is a party-planners holy grail coffee table book! If you’re a Disney lover like myself, this book is a must-have! From a Little Mermaid Brunch, to a Lion King Baby Shower, and Cinderella New Year’s Eve Party, you will quite literally die and go to heaven! The book is absolutely beautiful and full of so many creative decor and recipe ideas! Today, I want to share one with you that is perfect for your holiday soiree!
Elsa’s Eggnog
Serves 12
½ gallon carton of Eggnog
2 liters lemon lime soda, chilled
10-12 scoops of vanilla ice cream
Ground Nutmeg for garnishing
-Combine eggnog and soda in large drink dispenser/bowl. Add scoops of vanilla ice cream to look like melting snow, and garnish with a dash of nutmeg. Serve in small glasses.
Source: Entertaining with Disney
You can shop my decor & accessories for your bar cart right here!
I hope this post was helpful to you while you prep for your holiday bash! Big or small, every party & occasion is worth celebrating! You’re sure to wow your guests with these special drink recipes and decor that make your home feel like a winter wonderland! Just remember, its all the details!
XO, Kara