How to Style a Chic Holiday Bar Cart

Styling a holiday bar cart for the season can be simple and easy. Keep clear of those traditional kitchy Christmas goodies and use black and white stripes to create a modern merry vibe. I like to use my bar cart as a sideboard for the regular every day, so it has books and booze, even a lamp to shed more light now that the sun sets a little earlier. I always have my favorite vintage Carlos Moretti glasses that were part of my mom’s collection, love. I kept extra bottles and mixers below and a pop of greenery. If you ever have an open or empty spot, it never hurts to add a stylish fern or vase with pretty flowers. It will always elevate whatever surface you are decorating. Now that the holidays are coming up fast and quick, it’s time to prep the cart to be a little more merry. Let’s keep it simple, so it will work for both parties and the everyday, when friends pop by to say hello.

Nothing says merry like a great wreath, and a boxwood wreath is so on trend right now and looks much cleaner than those traditional wreaths you find at the grocery store. I found this one at Trader Joes for $10. Yep, $10. I might have gone back and bought a few more for around the house, too. I wanted the feel to be modern and clean and adding this brass candle holder from Crate and Barrel really popped against the Sedgewick’s golden hue. If there is ever a time for gold bar carts, the holidays are it. Gold goes with everything, and even if we weren’t trying to keep it modern, this classic bamboo style harkens back to when Ella and Dean were crooning away covered in tinsel.

A modern bar cart needs clean lines and these new glasses from B By Brandie are divine and I’ve been dying to get my hands on them. The Olivia glass is a combination glass, so it is perfect for wine or a cocktail but you can flip it and you have a flute for champagne. No need to have two sets of glassware at the ready, great for boutique sized homes with limited storage space. The shape of the glass is insanely gorgeous, talk about a wow factor. The Jackie double old fashioned’s round shape rebels against the angles and height around the cart.

I added a small silver vintage vase with a pop of red, from berries and pine from Trader Joes. Just a sprig is all you need. I also included my favorite black tray. A tray is a must, things always get a bit sticky as a good party goes into the later hours, and a tray keeps it under wraps. Faux snow in the tray adds a bit of wintery wonder and also conceals any mess.

I kept the liquor bottles to a minimum, just one of each of my favorites. Simple, but delicious. Sometimes less is more, having only a few options in the hustle and bustle of the season helps your guests relax with a quick imbibe and not be mixing the night away. Have a signature cocktail? Mix it up in a large batch and keep it on the cart in a pretty crystal pitcher.

I opted for champagne in a pretty gold ice bucket. This bucket is actually a large vase that I spray painted gold. As long as it is water proof, anything can be an ice bucket! I added a sheepskin to the bottom of the cart. Rest a large tray or plate, it’s the size of a platter, on top to store extra glasses. Hide the yummy booze from ugly bottles in vintage decanters. Pretty rum? Now it is.

Instantly make any bar setup festive with a few coordinating presents. Add a present to the top, or a stack of presents for guests that pop by underneath the cart. Here I wrapped the present in the same paper runner that I used to make the bow. If you find pretty paper, now matter what it is really for, use it.

I love the look of a black and white holiday. It has a sophisticated luxe look but is so simple to throw together. Just simplify your cart goodies, choose items with a modern flair and add a few pops of stripes. So very merry, Happy Holidays! xoxo, Jenny