Holiday gatherings can take many shapes, but I have a soft spot for the classic cocktail party: there's something so elegant about serving drinks from a bar cart while guests mingle in your living room and Christmas music crackles gently on vinyl. This, at least, is my dream setup – and I'm halfway to making it a reality thanks to the gorgeous barware in H&M's new dining collection.
With the festive season in full swing, I've been keen to give my home bar ideas a refresh. Fortunately, anyone planning to host a cocktail party has an excuse to invest in new barware, and H&M's sleek, contemporary pieces are the perfect starting point.
I discovered H&M's new drop by way of the brand's honey-colored fluted tumblers – a gorgeous example of the amber glassware trend, which has been on my mind since fall. As far as festive hosting is concerned, however, I could stock my bar cart with every new piece from the collection: the hand-blown coupe glasses strike the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication, while the sleek stainless steel cocktail shaker completes the modern-retro look.
I am, in fact, already the proud owner of a few stainless steel serving pieces thanks to H&M's bistro tableware collection, and I can't wait to bring the bistro look to my bar setup. Think stainless steel coasters paired with a matching ice bucket, plus a stylish wooden serving board to prepare garnishes and a few fluted cocktail glasses, of course. My home bar will be open in no time – and I can't think of a better way to kick off the festive season.
Shop Barware in H&M's New Dining Collection
Whimsical and yet striking, the chunky shapes of these coupe glasses remind me of Gustaf Westman's viral IKEA tableware collection. I know they'll be a real talking point at every gathering.
Simple but timeless, this cocktail shaker will serve you well during the festive season and beyond. It provides a stunning, modern look that can really help perfect your home bar setup.
Ideal for holding garnishes or serving nuts or other bar snacks, these stylish serving bowls are a hosting staple. They pair seamlessly with H&M's hand-blown glass tumblers, too.
Colored glassware really has taken off this year, and these fluted glasses are a luxe take on the trend. They'll bring both honey hues and subtle texture to your bar cart.
No home bar is complete without an ice bucket, and this one is effortlessly chic. Complete your setup with the three-piece bar tool set and you'll feel like a professional mixologist.
Coasters or cocktail napkins are a wonderful finishing touch to your barware collection – and the intricate embroidery on this set creates a real sense of elegance.
Looking for more cocktail party tips? Bryan Graybill's cocktail hour guide is brimming with wisdom about how to host a relaxed, yet luxe evening.
