Self-Serve Hot Beverage Bar
In addition to a few delicious holiday inspired cocktails, I love to set up a self-serve hot beverage bar. I like to feature homemade crock-pot hot chocolate for my guests to enjoy (this is a great recipe), but I also set up coffee, hot tea, or even hot apple cider. Your Keurig and a variety of k-cups would suffice or you can set out an assortment of cocoa, tea, and cider packets with a hot water pitcher and a pot of coffee.
Ideas for toppings & mix-ins:
- Candy Canes
- Mini marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Toffee bits
- Mini chocolate chips
- Crushed peppermints or candy canes
- Lindt truffles (drop it in and let it melt… yummmm)
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Caramels
- Coconut flakes
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Holiday sprinkles
- Dark chocolate syrup
- Caramel sauce
In my opinion, no holiday beverage is complete without booze. Let your guests add some kick by offering some of these adult add-ons perfect for hot cocoa or coffee.
• Flavored liqueurs (almond, praline, chocolate, and cinnamon are a few good ones)
• Khaluah
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Peppermint Schnapps
• Frangelico
• Amaretto
• Whipped Cream Vodka
• Marshmallow Vodka
• Brandy
• Grand Marnier
Décor
For interior decorations, accent high traffic areas if you don’t have the time to decorate the entire house. Re-purpose things you already have around, that way you don’t spend the extra money and you get to work on a fun DIY project!
Try ornaments from your collection or any bargain store and add to glass bowls filled with white twinkle lights.
Place a bare branch in a vase and hang small ornaments from it.
Spray paint paper snowflakes and hang from string around the room.
Make your drinks festive by skewering frozen cranberries or raspberries for a flavorful chiller.
Use a cut-out paper snowflake as a powdered sugar stencil for dessert.
Party Music
Besides food and alcohol, holiday music might be the single most important thing to have at your party. Even if you don’t have any decorations, music will still put your guests in the holiday spirit! Here are some suggested stations/playlists that even the biggest Grinch would enjoy:
Pandora:
• Today’s Christmas
• Holiday Workout
• Electric Holidays
Spotify:
• Christmas Pop
• John Legend Christmas Party Takeover
Amazon Music:
• Pop Christmas
• Holiday Party
Google Play Music:
• Very Merry Christmas Party
• Hip Christmas Party
Apple Music:
• Holiday Pop Hits
My final and most important tip is to hire Party Host Helpers! We are nationwide, and our party staff is ready to bring holiday cheer to your party this season! Let our bartenders and servers take care of the setup, clean up, serving hot chocolate and more so you can enjoy your guests. Book now!