The Good Design Journal
9 Ways to Master the Festive Drink (Before the First Guest Arrives)
Soon, your house will be full. Full of friends, family, and the low-level panic that you don't own a proper champagne cooler or enough matching glasses.
The idea of a house buzzing with festive cheer is always romantic. The reality, however, is often a frantic search for the good corkscrew while everyone watches, or serving New Year's Eve bubbly in a random water glass.
But what if the tools were the secret to looking (and feeling) effortless?
That’s the thinking here. We’ve pulled together 9 pieces that aren't just about the drinks, they're about the whole scene. These are the hero tools, the table details, and the after-dinner ice-breakers that give you, the host, a hit of confidence. They’re the difference between just serving and actually celebrating.
The vibe: less silly season stress, more festive ceremony.
1. The Opening Act
EVA SOLO Liquid Lounge Corkscrew
This isn't the flimsy, winged corkscrew you inherited and now keep in a drawer full of rubber bands. This is a considered, sculptural tool that feels solid in your hand. It makes the simple act of opening that first bottle of red feel less like a struggle and more like the official, very smooth start of the festivities.
2. The Christmas Day MVP
STELTON ARNE JACOBSEN Cylinda Champagne Cooler
Nothing kills the celebratory mood like a warm bottle of champagne. This cooler is your single most powerful hosting move. It’s a timeless piece of Danish design that acts as a shining, sculptural centerpiece, and (more importantly) it stops you from running back and forth to the fridge during Christmas lunch. It says, "this is an event," even if the pavlova is still in the oven.
3. The New Year's Eve Energy
MAISON BALZAC Tassel Champagne Coupés (Set of 4)
These are pure, unadulterated joy. A glass with a glass tassel? It’s a conversation starter. These coupes have main-character energy, turning even a standard prosecco into something wildly indulgent. They are, in short, a New Year's Eve party in a glass.
4. The Festive All-Rounder
MAISON BALZAC Grapefruit Gobelets (Set of 2)
If you’re stressed about having "the right glass" for every single guest, stop. Just get these. The solid feel and playful pink hue make them the perfect festive all-rounder. They’re chic enough for a cocktail, casual enough for sparkling water, and the perfect vessel for a Christmas morning mimosa.
5. The Platter's Best Friend
ROSTI Classic Cheese Slicer Box
No festive gathering is complete without a grazing platter, but that can get messy. This brilliant box is a functional hero. It lets you slice and store your cheese in one go, with the lid keeping everything fresh and the slicer always ready. It's the "how did I ever live without this?" piece for your Christmas spread.
6. The Bowl That Understands the Assignment
FERM LIVING Erena Serving Bowl, 32cm, Cream
You can’t serve your Christmas nuts or fancy olives in your everyday breakfast bowl. You just can't. This Erena bowl, with its soft, organic shape and creamy matte finish, makes even the simplest snacks look curated and intentional. It’s the perfect, unassuming host for all your festive nibbles.
7. The "Everything Looks Better" Bottles
MAISON BALZAC La Vinaigrette Olive Oil & Vinegar Bottles (Set of 2)
The theatre of the festive drink often involves... the festive dinner. Part of being a great host is making the whole table feel considered. Decanting your good olive oil or pre-batching your salad dressing into these sculptural bottles is a pro-level move that makes the whole Christmas table feel cohesive.
8. The Grown-Up Game Night
PRINTWORKS Classic Games Poker Set
What's more convivial? This set transforms that post-Christmas lunch lull into an event. Housed in a minimalist, shelf-worthy box, it’s a sophisticated invitation to turn the carols off, pour another one, and actually connect. It’s a conversation starter and a night-cap, all in one.
9. The Family-Friendly Ice-Breaker
PRINTWORKS Play Board Games Tumbling Tower
If Poker feels a bit too serious for a full family gathering, this is its playful counterpart. The minimalist, tonal blocks look like a small sculpture on your coffee table, inviting guests to interact. It's the perfect ice-breaker for when different sides of the family are meeting and mingling.
I’m not a mixologist. How do I "fake it" for a festive party?
Easy. The secret to a great drink is 90% presentation. Good ice (and lots of it), a festive garnish (a slice of orange, a sprig of rosemary, a few cranberries), and a beautiful, weighty glass. A simple G&T in a stunning Maison Balzac Gobelet feels a thousand times more special than a complex cocktail in a random tumbler.
Do I really need different glasses for everything?
Absolutely not. That just creates holiday stress. The best strategy is to have one great "all-rounder" (like a Gobelet) for water, spirits, and short cocktails, and one "special" glass for the celebratory moments (like a Coupe). That's it.
My "bar cart" is just a corner of my bench. How do I make it look festive?
Edit, edit, edit. Don't put every bottle you own out. Group your main three or four on a tray. Add your one or two "hero" glasses. And most importantly, add a small festive, non-bar item—a bud vase with a sprig of holly, a small lamp, or a mirror. This makes it feel like a styled "moment," not just a storage area.
What's the one thing to buy to make holiday hosting feel effortless?
A champagne cooler. Hands down. It's the ultimate Christmas Day MVP. It frees you from fridge duty, acts as a beautiful centerpiece, and instantly signals to your guests that it's time to relax and celebrate.
It’s Not Just a Drink. It’s a Ritual.
That low-level panic you feel before guests arrive? It’s not about your hosting skills. It’s about your toolkit. The joy of the festive season is in the ritual: the pop of the cork, the clink of good glasses, the buzz of a great conversation.
The "Good Spirits" collection is a toolkit for exactly that. These aren't just bar tools and glasses; they're props for the theatre of connection. They’re the pieces that let you get out of your head (and the kitchen) and actually enjoy your own party.
We’ve pulled together the full edit of our best and most beautiful pieces for serving, celebrating, and getting you into the spirit of hosting.
Ready to host with a little more confidence?
