Gather ‘Round: Quick Tips for Holiday Entertaining

A successful holiday craft party includes festive decorations, a variety of supplies, and a comfortable and functional space that allows you and your guests to have fun and get creative.

Craft Party Design Tips

• • A Spacious Workspace: A necessity for craft parties, regardless of guest count, is a comfortable surface that allows each attendee room to spread out supplies and craft comfortably. “Our Harwell coffee table is perfect for smaller get-togethers as it has two lift tops, hidden storage, and a classic look that lends itself well to seasonal color schemes,” suggests Navarro. If you’re crafting with a larger group, or with kids that require more flexibility, try an extendable table like Karsten, which is length and height adjustable, and features a protective Fenix top. Versatile tables like these can benefit your crafting year-round but are easily decorated with seasonal centerpieces or placemats. And if your collection requires more storage, Navarro suggests a storage console like the Elements media cabinet which “boasts a stunning laser-crafted design and screams to be dressed in some holiday themed accessories.”
  • A Variety of Lighting: Make sure you have ample lighting for the close work and attention to detail that crafting often requires. “Creating a high-visibility crafting area can present a great opportunity to incorporate some stunning lighting options,” starts Navarro. “For the more modern meets-rustic fans, the Duet or Trudy floor lamps bring charm to a room and can be further enhanced by your bulb choice; a warm yellow glow will help create a cozy, festive atmosphere, while a bright white color can stimulate your focus.” You can also amp up the holiday feel with LED candles on your work surface or storage furniture, protecting your crafts from any potential heat damage.
  • Comfortable Seating: Proper lumbar support and comfort are important while crafting, especially if it’s a longer event or you and your guests lean forward or hunch as you work. Opt for dining chairs with ample back support like the Addison which features an ergonomic curved back, or cushioned arms like the Stressless® Mint which also adjusts to slight movements in the body. If anyone needs extra support or to stretch their legs, consider adding a few festive cushions to supplement chair cushions or create flexible floor seating.

Whether your game night involves tabletop games or video games, it’s important to add and arrange furnishings in a way that supports frequent socializing and entertainment.

Game Night Design Tips

• • A Variety of Seating: If you don’t have a dedicated game room, don’t worry as “converting a living room for game night can be easy with the right pieces to help bring everyone together,” says Navarro. While traditional sofas and sectionals will work just fine, consider enhancing your space’s flexibility with modular options that are easily rearranged. Copenhagen’s Beacon collection features a variety of seating pieces that can be mixed and matched to form customized setups, giving your guests freedom to customize their comfort. For a cozier feel, Navarro suggests a lounge chair or chaise like the Silas – “Available in two soothing color tones, Silas has a naturally inviting feel and structure that adds additional seating for your guests but also makes for the perfect spot to curl up with a good book when the night is over.”
  • Multifunctional Furnishings: Occasional tables with integrated storage, shelves, or lift mechanisms make great surfaces for board games. “Coffee tables like Reveal and Tetris boast quite a bit of hidden storage for gaming accessories like boards and puzzles,” Navarro says, helping to keep your space tidy and neat. They’re also an ideal size for every player to easily view and move around pieces. Similarly, ottomans with hidden storage compartments like the Stressless® storage ottoman can house gaming accessories and provide additional seating space.
  • A Tech-Savvy Media Stand: Media furnishings with built-in cable management, sound features, and multiple shelves or cabinets allow you to hear your video games clearly while keeping consoles and accessories organized. A TV stand like Corridor has closeable, acoustically transparent doors that work with most sound systems and conceal any electronics or cords, allowing you and your guests to roam around the gaming area comfortably.

With a well-designed layout, stylish glassware, and decorative accents, you can cultivate the perfect functional bar space for your guests to enjoy their favorite drinks.

Happy Hour Design Tips

• • The Right Sized Bar: “When selecting a bar for entertainment, it’s best to select based on the needs of both the bartender and the space,” Navarro states. “For example, the Calypso bar tower represents a more make-it-yourself offering that suits a smaller space, while the Corridor bar offers a decent amount of space for storing jiggers, muddlers, barspoons, corkscrews, strainers, and any other items you might need to make the perfect holiday beverage! For those with more space and storage needs, I’d suggest something like the Totem wine bar, which offers a larger amount of storage, a glass countertop, and drawers for additional accessories and accoutrements.”
  • Additional Surface Space: Supplementing your bar with additional furnishings can help distinguish it as a separate entertainment area. Depending on your happy hour needs, a buffet or sideboard can offer additional storage, display festive decor, and hold appetizers. For a unique touch try a design like the Apollo Sideboard which features color-changing LEDs – use its included remote to customize the colors for the season! For a more inviting setup, try placing a few lounge chairs like Anton around a small side table to make your guests feel welcome and encourage conversation.
  • A Variety of Accessories: Combine functional bowls and vases with aesthetic art pieces to enhance the fun energy of your happy hour. A contemporary wall sculpture like the Discs shadow box has earthy tones and a sleek feel that’s suitable year-round, while the Deep Glass bowl features a rich red hue and iridescent sheen that feels decidedly festive. Smaller, lightweight accessories can be easily changed out to complement the season, so feel free to have fun with your color and pattern choices.

Serve up more than a delicious meal at your dinner party with comfortable furnishings and festive decor that create a memorable, welcoming experience for your guests.

Holiday Dinner Party Tips

• • Flexible Furnishings: With a versatile layout and furnishings, you can easily accommodate dinner parties of all shapes and sizes. Opt for a dining table with high functionality and a classic look that can be easily decorated. An extendable table like Mercury gives you endless flexibility; keep it closed at 75” for smaller gatherings or extend it to 106” for more table space. Plus, choosing a design with self-storing leaves saves you time. Alternatively, try a round dining table with an integrated lazy susan like Rimini; this type of design encourages intimate conversation and is perfect for entertaining a group of people with a variety of entrees and beverages. For seating, consider dining chairs with arms or swivel functions to maximize your guests’ comfort or pairing a few options in complementing colors. A swivel chair such as Barker allows you to turn and face different directions as needed and features a supportive curved back. Paired with a warm bamboo dining bench like Nani, Barker’s green fabric feels soothing and subtly festive. Stackable chairs are also a great option to have on hand for unexpected guests.
  • Display-Ready Storage: Sideboards, buffets, and curio cabinets are helpful additions for a dining space prone to entertaining. From storing serve ware and other dining accessories to displaying festive decor and fine China, these storage pieces provide both functional and aesthetic support. An Italian-made design like Boutique features a stylish exterior and an LED-lit interior for showcasing your cherished pieces of glass – all while keeping them safely stored. For smaller rooms, maximize your vertical space with a curio cabinet like Curve, which still offers plenty of display space and allows you to store less exciting items behind its lower doors.
  • A Variety of Inviting Decor: Mix warm and jewel-toned accessories to enhance the inviting atmosphere of your dinner party. A woven rug adds a cozy touch in front of a buffet or beneath a dining table; try a color scheme comprised of reds, browns, mustards, and beiges like that of the Vilja Rug to create textured warmth. Display rich warm-toned vases like Coral and Ruby upon your buffet or sideboard or place festive plants in the center of your table upon a flared tray – pairing these items with the jewel-toned Canoe bowl or vibrant Aspen Reign wall art will keep your space from feeling one note and add visual excitement.

“Whether you’re watching movies alone or with friends and family, space and comfort are key to ensuring you make the most of movie night,” says Delhaye. “Especially if you’re hosting a marathon that will last a long time.”

Movie Night Design Tips

• • Comfortable Seating: For smaller gatherings, Delhaye suggests pairing the Stressless® Buckingham sofa or loveseat with an accent chair or two; “The Buckingham is equipped with Stressless’® Plus™ and Glide Systems which provide plenty of support and recline based on your body’s natural movements – you and your guests can kick back and have the best movie-watching experience.” For bigger groups, he recommends a large sectional if your space allows it: “The Mira sectional by Incanto Italia was built for a movie marathon. With accident-resistant Giotto leather and power motion technology, it offers all the comfort you could ask for.”
  • A Snack Bar Area: For a convenient and clutter-free snack area, consider a sideboard or buffet like the Bella Clara; this creates a centralized area for guests to find their favorite treats before they settle in for movie time. To have your snack bar within close reach, Delhaye suggests a smaller setup like the Wendell coffee table – “It has enough tabletop space for popcorn, desserts, and other snacks, as well as a hollow central compartment for storing remotes and other items.” Consider incorporating baskets or bowls to hold different items that can be easily passed around once the movie is playing.
  • An Ergonomic Entertainment System: Even more so than game nights, a high-quality media setup can enhance you and your guests’ overall movie watching experience. We suggest looking for designs with thoughtful features like Tanami’s flow-through ventilation that keeps electronics cool and wire management cutouts – these small details can go a long way in maximizing your movie marathon enjoyment. As an alternative design option, the Vesta TV unit combines classic walnut wood with a striking black lacquer accent and includes a cable management port and plenty of storage for your media accessories. Whatever media furnishings you choose, make sure to verify weight and length capacity to ensure your TV will fit; TV safety straps are another good feature to look for as they can help prevent accidental falls.

Ensure you and your guests have a memorable holiday experience by following these tips for creating a welcoming space for every type of gathering.  

Navarro suggests that “creativity is the only limit” when it comes to entertaining for the holidays. “Luckily, Copenhagen can help inspire you to bring that extra level of festivity to your living space. From our collection of holiday bumbles and textured throw pillows to our faux plants and wall arts that evoke a sense of winter wonderment, you can count on Copenhagen to have a little something special to make the holidays warm and bright!” 

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