The Home Edit's Clea and Joanna Talk Holiday How-Tos, Bar-Cart Tips, Cocktails, and More

Whether you’re hosting a small get-together with your pod or staying put with roommates in an apartment or dorm, a holiday bar cart is a fun and easy way to get creative, entertain, and remain stress-free. “Nothing simplifies holiday hosting more than a bar cart,” the duo told Cointreau. “When guests can serve themselves all night, everyone wins! We recommend a bar cart on wheels, which allows it to move where the party moves and then back to the kitchen when items need replenishing.”

OK, so maybe cocktails aren’t a necessity, but having a cocktail of the night is a nice way to surprise guests and make them feel at home. The Home Edit suggests you concoct a “signature cocktail for the night, display the recipe and invite your guests to channel their inner mixologist. Set up all the ingredients ahead of time, including an ice bucket, and any garnishes, glasses, and tools that are needed. We also suggest prepping a batch ahead of time and welcoming guests with the cocktail as they arrive.”

Remember that holiday bar cart we discussed? Well, if you really want to get festive with it, take the extra step and use your keen eye for design! While decorations are important, it’s just as crucial that the items on your bar cart follow a holiday theme as well. “When it comes to styling your bar cart, stick to the same color palette as your signature cocktail,” they said. “Incorporate items such as linen napkins, colored straws, floral garland, candles and decorative glassware. . . . You can also utilize risers and turntables on the bar cart to maximize space and provide easier accessibility, while also creating some depth and height. . . . Going the extra mile with your bar cart allows for a fun and unique focal point in the room and it also makes for a great Instagrammable moment.”

While cocktails are important, snacks should also be a priority. Clea and Joanna don’t just suggest any snack for your holiday get-together, the pair suggest one of our favorite snacks to date: a charcuterie board. “Mix it up with a variety of nuts, cheeses, crackers, dried or fresh fruit, honey or jams and more,” they told Cointreau. “We love creating these large boards and platters for parties as they cater to a variety of taste buds, and you can really tailor the board to complement your holiday cocktail offerings.”

The holidays are a time of giving, and you never know where or when you’ll feel the urge to give. “One of our favorite gifts is a chic cocktail kit that has everything you need to make the perfect [cosmopolitan or margarita] . . . a bottle of Cointreau, a bottle of vodka or tequila, cranberry or lime juice, salt, recipe cards, a shaker and a citrus squeezer!” they said. “You really can’t go wrong with a beautifully curated cocktail kit and if you are really feeling creative, you can customize these with fun gift boxes, baskets and holiday cards too.”