Entertaining Kitchen Ideas for the Festive Season

In New Zealand, creative and practical entertaining kitchen ideas are essential for enjoying festive celebrations while adapting to the hotter climate.
 
From transforming your kitchen bench into a spritz station to setting the right mood with lighting and mindfully incorporating sustainable practices, we explore inspiring ways to bring a spark to your space this festive season.

Where should you start when it comes to entertaining kitchen ideas? Start with island bench ideas—the open-plan design makes it the perfect foundation for entertaining. Consider transforming this versatile area into a functional workspace that doubles as a social hub for guests. 

Island benches can easily double as bars for preparing and serving drinks, helping to streamline the party process and complement your kitchen design. Consider turning it into a spritz station, cocktail bar, or dessert station to make hosting effortless and fun.

Another entertaining kitchen idea is to repurpose some of your existing kitchen accessories that complement your kitchen tapware. ⁠Due to its design, our stylish Penelope Kitchen Sink Drainer, for example, can be rolled over your sink or benchtop and used as a convenient cocktail-serving surface. The fixture is firmly held into place due to self-gripping rubbers, while any spillages can be drained directly into your kitchen sink. 

When pre-filled with ice, the kitchen sink can also be a resourceful place to keep food and drinks cold; however, we also have Kitchen Troughs that cater specifically to this requirement. As part of our ‘Entertainer Series’, these products can be easily inserted into your top-mounted or under-mounted sink and are available in three distinctive finishes to match your ABI Interiors sink or kitchen tapware: brushed brass, brushed gunmetal, and stainless steel.

Nothing establishes the atmosphere quite like lighting, making it an essential entertaining kitchen idea for classic Kiwi get-togethers. Soft, warm lighting creates an inviting feel for intimate gatherings, while brighter, focused lights can energise a social setting. 

Consider using dimmable lighting options to adjust the ambience throughout the event or add decorative string lights for that festive touch. Pendant lights above your kitchen bench are another option that enhances functionality and serves as stylish focal points.

Outdoor kitchens are ideal for summer holiday entertaining in New Zealand. This classic Kiwi entertaining idea lets you host guests and make the most of the great outdoors in a relaxed, laid-back style.

Ensure you equip your outdoor setup with essentials like a barbecue, a beverage station stocked with chilled drinks, and plenty of counter space for serving. Add festive touches like fairy lights strung across your pergola, and don’t forget citronella lanterns to keep the mozzies away. Comfortable seating, outdoor-friendly decor, and a shaded dining area can make your space perfect for laid-back gatherings.

While entertaining is a big part of Kiwi life, embracing eco-friendly practices during the festive season helps us do our bit for the environment, too. How about using reusable items such as cloth napkins, beeswax wraps, and glass storage containers—all of which help minimise waste by cutting down on disposables? 

Another sustainable, entertaining kitchen idea is to support local farmers by choosing local ingredients for your social gatherings. Strategic meal planning helps avoid food waste while composting organic scraps contributes to sustainability. Making mindful choices about what we use and consume will result in a festive season that's both enjoyable and eco-friendly.

If you would like to learn more about perfecting your kitchen entertainment area, visit our showroom and speak with our friendly team. 

For more advice in this space, check out:

Guide to the Best Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

Building a Sustainable House