• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • About Good Cheap Eats
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Pantry Challenge
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • About
  • My Account
  • Join the Club
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Pantry Challenge
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Recipes
    • Shop
    • About
    • My Account
    • Join the Club
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Frugal Pantry

    Fill a Beverage Box for Holiday Entertaining

    Published: Nov 25, 2017 · Modified: Aug 20, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

    FacebookTweetPinPrint
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.

    Are you ready to share a cup of good cheer with friends and family this month? Stock up and fill a beverage box so that you’re more than ready for any festivities that arise.

    snow man mug with twinkle lights in background this …

    Christmas is coming…. the goose is getting fat….

    I love that song, even if it really has nothing to do with my real life. We sang it every year in the Christmas pageant at Rosedell Elementary. And that has nothing to do with this hospitality reminder.

    What I really meant to say is Christmas is coming and so is unexpected (and expected) company. So, plan ahead and make sure you have some basics stocked in your larder.

    Last week I mentioned some of the ways that I plan for impromptu guests by having snack tray supplies on hand during the holidays. Sales are abundant and a snack tray is a simple way to offer people some nibbles without having to scurry away to the kitchen for an hour or two.

    Another way to prepare for holiday company is to stock ingredients for your favorite holiday drinks. By filling a beverage box in advance, you’re ready for all kinds of last-minute festivities.

    Fill a Beverage Box for Holiday Entertaining

    bottle of wine, corkscrew, and ramekins of chips

    So what is a beverage box? It doesn’t need to be fancy, but think about what you’d want on hand in order to offer a cup of good cheer to visitors this month. It can be as simple as a basket or box filled with cups, cocktail napkins, coffees, teas, and sparkling drinks or as elaborate as a veritable beverage station with all the gadgets, syrups, mugs, and paraphernalia to rival the best coffee or wine bar in town.

    I grew up in the 70s when my parents and most of their friends had home bars that they kept stocked at the holidays. This is the same concept, but it doesn’t have to be alcoholic or include weird glasses of ladies whose dresses disappeared to reveal bikini clad bodies when the glass was full. Just saying.

    Having a few easy beverages available for guests will make it much easier for you to extend hospitality in the coming weeks.

    Fill your beverage box or station with the following:

    Consider adding the following items to your grocery list this week to stash into the pantry, fridge, or freezer:

    Sparkling water and juices – These go on great sales this time of year and are shelf stable. They’ll stay good for several months so don’t worry about wasting the stash. You can toast each other now and on Valentine’s Day.

    Egg nog or the ingredients to make your own Milk Nog – These are only December-type drinks, so now’s the time to enjoy them!

    Wine and beer – If you imbibe along with your friends, you may want to stock up on seasonal sales. Some stores will let you build your own six-pack so you can have several different varieties on hand without having to buy multiple six packs.

    Limes, lemons, and oranges – These are great for garnishes, mulled beverages, and mixed drinks. Bonus: citrus is a winter fruit so you should see some good sales.

    The makings of ginger, mint, and/or chocolate syrups – Homemade syrups come together quickly on the stove top, make your house smell amazing, and keep well in the fridge for a week or two. Plus, they go great in Italian sodas and mixed drinks, as well as hot tea, coffee, and cocoa.

    basket with tea, cinnamon sticks and hot cocoa

    Cocoa mix – You can buy a few commercial mixes or stir up a homemade cocoa mix with regular pantry ingredients.

    A variety of teas – Be sure to include herbal and decaf varieties as well as your standard black tea blends.

    Honey, sugar cubes, and other sweeteners – Even if you don’t use sweeteners, it’s nice to have some for guests.

    Cinnamon sticks – Just for fun, keep a jar on hand to slip into hot cocoa or to brew your own spiced cider or mulled wine.

    Coffee and/or espresso pods – Again, keep in mind that late night visitors may prefer decaf, so stock up on both if you can.

    Whipping cream, non-dairy creamer, and/or coconut milk – This day and age you can’t please all the people all the time, but if you have one or two creamy options, you’ll be able to accommodate some of the people some of the time. 🙂

    Bottles of sparkly drinks on a table

    You’ll also want to check your supply of the following serving items:

    This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through those links, I am paid a small amount in advertising fees.

    • corkscrew – I prefer this style.
    • bottle opener – one with a church key is handy for opening cans of pineapple juice or coconut milk.
    • citrus zester and reamer – great for adding a little bit of citrus flavor to your beverages.
    • wine glasses and champagne flutes – You may find that you only have three mismatched sizes. Ahem.
    • mugs, preferably with snow men on them – We have a collection we use each holiday season. 14 years running.
    • plastic cups or drinking glasses – Keep a sharpie on hand to mark people’s glasses.
    • cocktail napkins – So’s you don’t have to hand your guests leftover napkins from Chipotle. Just saying.
    • a whipped cream machine – Love mine!

    Celebrate Simply: Ease your holiday stress and be your best in the kitchen this seasonEase your holiday stress!

    Speaking of beautiful meals…. Want to make the holiday season a little brighter this year?

    Ease your seasonal stress by planning in advance how you will handle your holiday kitchen.

    Take the Celebrate Simply workshop and get ready to jingle all the way.

    Learn more here.

    Fill a Beverage Box for Holiday Entertaining | Good Cheap Eats

    Originally published December 1, 2011. Updated November 25, 2017.

    « 5-Minute Easy Gravy Recipe
    Cranberry Chocolate Chip Snack Cake »
    FacebookTweetPinPrint

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alice E

      November 28, 2017 at 6:17 am

      Coffee or Espresso pod would be a problem for those of us without the machine, but I keep Folger’s coffee singles in both regular and decaf for those occasional coffee drinking family visitors. They work like tea bags and are quite acceptable for my coffee drinking brother-in-law and son.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        December 12, 2017 at 8:59 am

        Great tips! Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Jill

      December 02, 2011 at 3:43 pm

      How do you keep your kids from getting into the box?? Esp the snack box! I would have to HIDE the boxes from husband and kids!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        December 02, 2011 at 4:06 pm

        They know they have to ask first.

        Reply
    3. Kristy @ Almost On Purpose

      December 01, 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Brilliant idea! That is so simple!

      Reply
    4. jasi

      December 01, 2011 at 11:18 am

      i keep them in a few different boxes but same principle. i also have a snack fix. always have grainy tortilla and pita chips, cans of white beans or ceci for a quick dip, some trader joe’s eggplant pepper spread, nuts, fresh and dried fruit. instant party! i could probably even whip up a pie in a jiffy with frozen dough too.

      Reply
    5. Emily

      December 01, 2011 at 7:28 am

      I don’t have a box, but I have a shelf – same principle. AND if you need any cocktail napkins, apparently I’ve been buying after holiday overstocks too often and I’m out of room – and don’t have that many visitors. lol

      I’m happy to send you some. I kid you not…
      Hugs,
      em

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter their budget.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    cooking for one
    cooking for many banner
    cooking to freeze banner

    Pantry Staples You Can Make at Home

    • Instant Pot Potato Soup
    • Spanish Brown Rice (Mexican Brown Rice)
    • How to Make the Best Tuna Sandwich
    • Protein Overnight Oats
    • Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
    • Self-Rising Flour Biscuits

    Take the Pantry Challenge

    • Prepping for a Pantry Clean Out
    • How to Stock the Pantry on a Budget
    • 90+ Pantry Staples You Can Make Yourself
    • What to Make for Dinner When There’s “Nothing” to Eat

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Good Cheap Eats