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Deck the halls in December and tuck them away in January.
Though I wish I had the space to host all of my friends and family for Christmas, the walls of my one-bedroom apartment are a bit limiting. It certainly doesn’t stop me from trying to be the host with the most, though. I love to decorate my apartment for the holidays, not just for myself, but for my guests to feel welcome. Being in a smaller space, I have to think wisely about how I decorate. After the parties are over, I don't have a basement for a 12-foot Christmas tree, or the closet space to store an over-the-top inflatable. However, I can certainly spruce up bookshelves, consoles, and countertops to make my home feel extra festive.
I'm really partial to pop-up entertaining pieces—things that can be folded, stacked, or tucked away when the holidays pass. This pop-up Christmas tree creates the illusion of a massive, elegant, curated tree once it’s set up. In reality, it’s a canopy draped over a center pole, meaning it folds down flat and is easy to store for the rest of the year. I also love festive glassware to instantly add Christmas cheer (how can I resist this Anthro coupe glass with a Christmas tree stem?) And I firmly believe in the power of some well-placed cocktail napkins, especially ones embroidered with candy canes.
Though I love my decor, I can't help but get some extra inspiration from interior designers this season. After all, I’m not the only one trying to make the most out of a small space. “Small-space holiday entertaining doesn't mean sacrificing style,” Bradley Odom, principal designer of Bradley Odom Interiors, and owner of Atlanta home decor store Dixon Rye, says. “It's about choosing versatile, beautiful pieces that can transition seamlessly from everyday use to special occasions while maximizing both function and aesthetic appeal.”
Ahead, I spoke to 16 designers, and now, we have a curated list of 28 pop-up entertaining items. You can use everything from vintage champagne buckets to folding chairs that are actually cute. Scroll on for our curated shopping list to build that dreamy holiday setting in your home. Most importantly, you can put away all the decor in January without renting a storage unit.
"I like to have lots of soft paper cocktail napkins on hand. These napkins are so perfect that they even make [for] a conversation piece, [and are] very useful when serving hors d’oeuvres and drinks!"
—Tara Wegdam, interior designer and owner of Crème de la Crème boutique
"A luxe brass serving tray is your secret weapon for impromptu holiday entertaining! It's easy to store and doesn't take up any precious square footage. Arrange festive glassware, cocktail fixings, and a crystal ice bucket for an easy, pulled-together look. I love the hammered metal finish and the leather detail on the handles of this tray from Pottery Barn. The generous size is well suited for holding glasses, liquor bottles and a small vase with florals."
—Jennifer Jones, Principal Designer at Niche Interiors
"A piece of stone carved in the shape of a tree or snowman still provides a festive touch, but looks much more modern and sophisticated. This marble tree from Crate & Barrel looks both luxe and understated at the same time. It's a subtle way to bring elegance and add some holiday flair to your space."
—Olma Fuentes, Founder and Principal of Deni + Dove Interiors
"The first thing I think of when it comes to the holiday season (Channukah, Diwali, or Christmas, among others) is sparkling lights against a midnight blue sky, and one of the easiest and most magical ways to achieve this is with an LED fairy light curtain. These are so easy to hang, battery-powered, and remote controlled with different modes, colors, and intensities—there is literally something for everyone and every type of celebration."
—Madelaine Mayer, Principal Designer at AD:ROIT
"To make the most of limited space, keep the floor clear to maintain easy entertaining circulation and focus on vertical decor. Create the look of a Christmas tree on your wall, which adds festive charm without taking up floor space. We love Grandin Road’s Olive Tree with the warm glowing lights and the perfect amount of greenery. You can even personalize it by layering in a few of your own ornaments or small holiday accents for a truly unique touch."
—Ally-Catherine Trenary, interior designer and founder of June St. George
"In my experience designing for pop-up entertaining in small spaces, I've found that a statement platter is non-negotiable. I particularly love how the Victor Platter acts as both a serving piece and a beautiful wall decoration when not in use. During holiday gatherings, I use it for displaying Christmas cookies or appetizers, and its generous size means fewer serving pieces cluttering your limited counter space. It's exactly what I mean when I talk about beautiful functionality."
—Bradley Odom, Principal Designer of Bradley Odom Interiors, and owner of Dixon Rye
"Adding artificial florals and greenery to your Christmas decor—think cedar stems, berry sprays, and red amaryllis flowers—can enhance the holiday spirit by creating a more inviting atmosphere that evokes comfort and feels wintery. These faux juniper sprays look realistic and bring a natural element to your room without the mess or maintenance. They look great on their own in a vase, or, mixed in a garland or wreath with other holiday greenery."
—Olma Fuentes, Founder and Principal of Deni + Dove Interiors
"Versatile serving ware is a smart way to save space when hosting, and these elegant gold-rimmed appetizer plates are a perfect choice. Their timeless design makes them ideal for any occasion, from holiday gatherings—where a simple green garnish adds a festive touch—to everyday entertaining."
—Barrett Oswald, Principal Designer at Barrett Oswald Designs
"I recently came across this folding chair at Zara Home, which seems like the perfect piece to tuck in that space next to the refrigerator when not in use, but goes beyond the metal folding chair aesthetic."
—Shamika Lynch, founder of Maximizing Tiny Interiors
"I’m loving this vintage watercolor inspired tablecloth right now. The warm coffee and beige tones are the perfect backdrop for any style of Christmas decor, and it is transitional enough to be utilized even during non-holiday months. Whether styled as a standalone statement piece or as the foundation for a full tablescape, this piece will instantly make your space feel pulled together and elevated."
—Audrey Scheck, Principal Designer at Audrey Scheck Design
"We love a pop-up bar moment! If you don't have a formal bar area, give your guests a destination or two on your coffee table or console, and enhance the space with a beautiful tray and great bar accessories. You can't go wrong with a classic decanter or vintage champagne bucket."
—Mallory Robins & Elizabeth Bennett, Co-founders at KOBEL + CO
"This festive bar cart from The Container Store is the perfect solution for small spaces. I love that it’s on wheels and can roll with the party, and its shape lets you easily tuck it into a corner when not in use. For the holidays, wrap it with a festive garland and add some holiday glassware on the top with a fun spiked eggnog or hot cocoa bar."
—Lauren Ashley, interior designer and founder of Lauren Ashley Experiences
"Pinecones are a very versatile holiday decorative item because they come in such a wide variety and can be used in so many different ways. There's a pinecone for virtually every style—flocked, frosted, glittered, or natural—and they work especially well as fillers for bowls or vases. I especially love pinecones that have a touch of white paint on them. They look stylish and bring a chic snowy effect to any holiday space."
—Olma Fuentes, Founder and Principal of Deni + Dove Interiors
"The Madeline Placements from Anthropologie make any tablescape more special with their festive colors and scallop design. The perfect way to set the stage for a happy holiday meal."
—Natalie Papier, interior designer and owner of Home Ec.
"An assortment of bottles and glasses on top of a cabinet looks haphazard at best, but corral them on an eye-catching tray and you immediately have a beautiful bar ready for entertaining. The mirrored base on this Jonathan Adler tray helps reflect light and adds a shimmering elegance to any space."
—Madelaine Mayer, Principal Designer at AD:ROIT
"If space for a tree is limited, incorporating fresh foliage such as garland or magnolia is a lovely way to spruce up (pun intended!) any room's decor."
—Barrett Oswald, Principal Designer at Barrett Oswald Designs
"I love these trees because they are effortlessly simple, yet make a festive impact with their colorful feathers and chic metallic ball topper. What's better? They nest inside of each other for easy storage postseason."
—Will Hunt Lewis, owner of Hunt & Bloom.
"I love this compact yet stylish serving board from The Container Store. It’s the perfect presentation for a charcuterie board, and if you add some fresh cranberries in the middle, it instantly feels festive. The handle is perfect for transporting the serving board or hanging it on the wall for added décor when you're done entertaining."
—Lauren Ashley, interior designer and founder of Lauren Ashley Experiences
"Paper lanterns are so budget friendly and also so much fun during holiday occasions. I especially love Meri Meri's versions for their unique shapes and color mixes to bring in the cheer."
—Natalie Papier, interior designer and owner of Home Ec.
"If you place it, they will come. To encourage guests to spread out, place drinks and snacks evenly throughout your space! We love these candy dishes for a little magical holiday moment. Perfect for nostalgic treats alike, these double as the perfect place to hold our matchbook collection on our coffee table, when not used for holiday entertaining."
—Mallory Robins & Elizabeth Bennett, Co-founders at KOBEL + CO
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