'Tis the season to be jolly! What better way to catch up with friends and family than treating them (and yourself) to tasty snacks and cocktails? If you're hosting a holiday soiree in your house or apartment, some simple design tips can make your at-home bar more efficient and aesthetically pleasing. After all, presentation is everything. Take a look at some helpful hints below:

• Be practical: An island bar will make you feel less isolated from your party and won't trap you in a corner like some other styles do. Furthermore, this function is large enough for storing alcohol on the bottom, while providing a chic mixing station on top.
• Get creative: "To make fantastic, creative cocktails, there's no need to stock your bar with 12 brands of expensive vodka and a rainbow's worth of brightly colored liqueurs," reports MarthaStewart.com. "A half-dozen base spirits and a few mixers will not only allow you to turn out a surprising number of cocktail classics but also give you enough to come up with some cool drinks of your own." To further ensure that your drinks look festive and sophisticated, top them with a fancy garnish.
• Store drinks away from sunlight: If you place alcohol away from direct sunlight, it will last longer. If your bar is located near a window, simply block out the sunlight with stylish custom window coverings. 

If you're looking for new window décor this holiday season, be sure to contact Metropolitan Window Fashions. Through our free shop-at-home service, you don't even have to leave the house–so sit back, relax and pour yourself a drink!