One of the favorite things I have in my home is a makeshift tea station upstairs in my bedroom. Ove the years, I’ve become a major night-time tea drinker. And because I spend the majority of my evenings cozied up in my bed working, reading, or watching TV I got tired of running downstairs 2-3 times just to put the kettle on to get more tea. So, to alleviate that last year I purchased an electric tea kettle and turned a bar cart into a tea station.
It’s nothing fancy, just an electric tea kettle and a tray full of mugs, tea bags, mulling spices, and all-things cozy. So when thinking about hosting all of our holiday guests this season I thought, why not turn my upstairs bar into an at-home holiday breakfast bar.
If you’ve been following my Blog for a while then you know I have an upstairs loft that I turned into a sort of game room/bar area. It’s an awkward space, that truly doesn’t get used a lot. But it’s beautiful and I knew it would perfect for this self-serve idea.
So why not set this up in the kitchen? Two main reasons. One, it’s festive and fun, and I love doing small things like this to really make guests feel welcome and like you went all out for them.
And two, all of the bedrooms are upstairs while the kitchen is downstairs. I, like many people, love a slow, quiet start to my morning. I don’t necessarily want to get dressed, and ready and head downstairs and start my day right away. By having everything guests need right outside their door they can pop out and grab a cup of coffee or tea, and a breakfast pastry and head back to their room to have that nice leisurely start that every vacation should have. Plus at night it can be used as that sleepy time tea station has become part of my nightly routine.
Regardless of where you set it up, a self-serve, holiday breakfast bar is beyond easy to create. First, I made sure that I had all the morning necessities present. Coffee maker, electric tea kettle, and toaster. I love this new vintage set from Russell & Hobbs. It’s well priced, works like a gem, looks adorable, and the toaster even has a croissant toasting shelf!
Second, stock your holiday breakfast bar with everything guests would need to make it self serve so everyone can run at their own speed in the morning. Think mugs, water, tea bags, coffee, sugar, utensils, napkins, etc. And I stashed all of the extras in the drawers making it super easy if guests run out of anything.
Third, I made it festive with holiday-themed coffee blends, pastries, jams, packets of cocoa and tea. And of course, added a wreath and a few of my favorite rosemary and lavender Christmas trees as decor.
Lastly, I always make sure guests know that this is there for them to access at any time. There’s nothing worse than being a guest who feels they have to tip-toe around their hosts.
And that’s it. An easy at home holiday breakfast bar that is as festive as it is functional! Tell me, how do you make guests feel welcome in your home? Truly, MKR
