12 Stylish IKEA Finds To Elevate Your Holiday Gathering

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The holiday season calls for gatherings that feel warm, welcoming, and festive. If you know where to shop, hosting doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Well-known for budget-friendly, Scandinavian-style furniture and decor, IKEA offers a treasure trove of pieces that can elevate your holiday celebrations. You can shop anything from simple dinnerware to compact tables for guests, all for a reasonable price.

We've rounded up some of the best, highly rated IKEA finds to get you holiday-ready. They all have at least 4 stars from over 300 reviews, and you can skip to the end of the article to read further about our selection methodology. This list includes both practical and decorative picks for entertaining and more. Whether you're hosting a boozy brunch or a fancy candlelit dinner — or both — there's something on this list to help you set the holiday scene. Even better, many are suitable beyond the holiday season, so you can use them year-round, too.

With its pretty design, it's no surprise that the ARV BRÖLLOP cake stand with lid is one of IKEA's top-rated products for entertaining. This glass platform is just plain adorable, with charming details like an etched floral pattern and a lightly scalloped border (which also helps keep the glass dome safely in place). Of course, it will look lovely with a cake inside, but IKEA also recommends using it for a cheese platter, pastries, or for decorations like the glowy string lights pictured. The Twinkle Star Copper Wire String Lights can help you create a similar display that's perfect for the holidays. Though it looks dainty, this piece is also dishwasher-safe at moderate temperatures, up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ARV BRÖLLOP is very highly rated, with 4.8 stars based on over 900 reviews. Around 85% of reviewers give it five stars. One happy shopper said, "I use this cake stand all the time and leave it on display on my counter filled with coffee cake, muffins, cookies, etc. I've received many compliments on it from family and friends. One friend even went out and bought one after seeing mine. Great price too!" Some reviews mention the dome size restricts what you can store inside: it's too short for tall cakes with the dome on, although you can use it with the dome off for serving.

If you live in a small space, a tough part of hosting holiday gatherings is figuring out where to seat everyone. The NORDEN table offers an attractive solution that you're more than likely to use year-round. It's a gate-leg table with two leaves that fold up to create a dining table with seating for two to four (depending on whether you fold just one or both sides up). Reviews mention using it to seat extra guests or as a crafting, sewing, or games table that can be tucked away when needed. When the leaves are down, the unit makes an excellent side table with storage: it has six drawers for organizing kitchen accessories. While it comes in both a white and birch finish, the birch is the better bang for your buck because it's mostly made of solid wood. That said, the white looks nice and sleek if you prefer that color.

Happy reviewers rate this product 4.6 stars overall, based on over 2,000 reviews. Around 75% give it a full five stars, and one said, "[I] purchased this for my father's studio and it's perfect! Very sturdy and well made; however, the boxes are very heavy. It is great for a small space yet has 6 drawers for storage. The table is heavy, but it isn't too difficult to move, and it is super easy to put the leaves up and down." Some negative reviews say the unit was difficult to assemble. Several reviewers recommend using an electric drill to help with too-small or poorly drilled pilot holes. Once assembled, most note that it's sturdy, well made, and worlds better than a folding table for hosting gatherings.

The SMÅÄTA cutting board is one of many highly rated and affordable IKEA cutting boards, but we've put it on this list because it's useful for serving, too. The long shape, paddle handle, and angular design makes it quite decorative, perfectly suited for a charcuterie or cheese board. It measures 28 ¼ inches long by 11 inches wide and is made of solid acacia wood. The extended length creates a pretty base for your DIY grazing spread, so you're sure to impress guests without straining the wallet.

Shoppers give this product 4.2 stars based on over 500 reviews, with 66% rating it 5 stars. A reviewer explained, "I am thrilled to have this chopping board. I have been eyeing them at a couple of online retailers at prices two or three times what I paid at IKEA. I can't wait to use it for a cheese and fruit display for my next dinner party. It is so lovely that I currently have it hanging on display in my kitchen. Awesome find!" Some reviewers note it's not the highest quality, reflective of its cheaper price. And while a few complain about it warping or splintering, others say it's easy to maintain with handwashing and occasional oiling.

The DYRGRIP wine glass is an eye-catching pick for entertaining, in large part because it looks more expensive than it is. It's a red wine glass with a tall and large bowl that gives it a sophisticated appearance. Though it looks like it's made of traditional crystal, it's actually made with crystalline, a stronger alternative that looks clear and has a nice tone. Even better news for hosts: This wine glass is dishwasher-safe to simplify post-party cleanup.

This product has a high 4.7-star rating overall based on almost 400 reviews. Around 82% give it five stars. A concise explanation for the high rating said, "We love the shape and the price can't be beat. Looks just like the ones in Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn but a fraction of the price." Many negative reviews don't criticize the quality of the glass but rather point out that it's a slightly different shape from past iterations, so it might not match an older set.

Affordable string lights are indispensable for decorating for Christmas on a budget. The LEDFYR LED string light is fabulous for creating that warm and glowy atmosphere without spending an arm and a leg. This short string has 12 LED battery-powered lights (batteries are not included) for $5.99, ideal for adding a bit of warm white light anywhere indoors. If you have a larger budget or don't want to deal with batteries, a longer, mains-powered option is also available.

This light set has a rating of 4.4 stars overall from over 400 reviews. About 69% give it perfect marks. A reviewer said, "I love these little lights. They are very well made, and work extremely well. They add a nice touch in my dining room." Many reviewers appreciate the flexibility of the battery-powered version, using them at other times of the year across mantels, above cabinets, inside decorative vases, and even as part of a Halloween costume. For the holiday season, you can use it to illuminate a DIY centerpiece to make the dining table more elegant on a budget.

The GLADOM tray table is an IKEA favorite in all seasons. It's simple, very affordable, and so versatile. It's essentially a large tray on a lightweight frame, and it's possible to lift the tray part off so you can use each section separately. It's large and lipped so items can't slide off, making it great for serving while you're entertaining. Once the tray is placed back on the frame, it becomes a useful side table. The pared-down metal design is minimalist, making it a plain backdrop for most decorating styles. It comes in white, black, and a few more distinctive colors, too, like a gray-green and rusty orange hue.

Overall, this product has a 4.7-star rating based on over 3,100 reviews. A high 77% rate it 5 stars. A repeat buyer explained, "I loved this table the first time I purchased it, [so] I purchased a second one! We have used it as a side table near the couch, a cocktail table during a party, [a] side table for [the] guest bedroom, and now one of them is the table that raises our Christmas tree for the holiday season!" It's one of those basic but stylish IKEA products that almost every household can find a use for.

The GLATTIS coasters with holder come in a lovely, shiny, and festive brass hue, great for adding a bit of bling to your holiday festivities. They're made of stainless steel, so they'll hold up well to use. They also have a liner backing to make sure they don't scratch tabletops. A metallized brass finish gives them an inviting, warm tone. Each coaster measures 3 inches across, and six are included in a pack, with a holder for storage. 

Reviewers give this product 4.4 stars overall from over 300 reviews, and around 70% give it a 5-star rating. According to one reviewer, "These golden gems are a nice, classy touch to a cocktail or beverage. The color pops nicely and the bottoms have a nice black non-slip liner. Good job IKEA!" Other reviews mention that these coasters easily smudge and show condensation marks, so for super detail-oriented decorators they may be a pass. But for seasonal use, they are still a great option for adding a bit of sparkle to your holiday spread. 

With a matching brass finish, the GLATTIS tray is a perfect pairing with the GLATTIS coasters. This large tray measures 15 inches across and is made of metallized stainless steel. IKEA recommends it for serving food or as the background for a decorative display. The brass adds a bit of shine and luxury to any setting. A lip around the edge keeps items from sliding off and also makes it easier to carry.

Shoppers like this product: from over 300 reviews, it has a 4.6-star rating, and around 76% give it a full 5 stars. A reviewer called the tray "gorgeous and expensive looking! A super classy tray, great for serving or styling. Great base to create styling vignettes, I use it under a night lamp and it looks amazing!" The golden color is perfect for the holiday season, but can add a bit of glam year-round, too. A few reviews note that it shows fingerprints very easily, so it might not be ideal for high-touch uses.

The NISSAFORS utility cart is one of many IKEA utility carts that makes for a lovely bar cart. Cover it with your favorite boozy bottles, accessories, and glasses to make it a party cart on wheels. Of course, you can use it to display and transport just about anything during the holidays and beyond, from finger foods to cleaning supplies. It's made of metal and has four castors, so it's sleek, sturdy, and easily portable. Apart from the usual neutral shades, it comes in a few playful colors, too. Post-holiday season, it's nice to have around for extra storage.

This utility cart is an IKEA favorite, with 4.6 stars based on over 3,100 reviews. Over 75% of reviewers give it 5 stars. It has repeat buyers, and one stated, "This is the second one I've purchased. I previously bought one to use in my studio to hold tools and such. And we purchased a second one to hold supplies (napkins, salt [and] pepper, trays, etc.) for our outdoor entertaining space. Very versatile and well made." Some negative reviewers had trouble with assembly, with a few complaining about poor quality screws. On the other hand, some said it was simple to assemble. If any trouble with assembly does come about, it's easy to return the product with IKEA's rather lenient return policy.

At a low price of $2.99, there's really no reason not to pick up the KARAFF carafe. It's a cheap but high-quality IKEA find that has several uses. It's a water carafe, of course, but you can also use it for serving other drinks or as a vase for flowers or decor. Some reviewers even use it as a cheap wine decanter. It's made of glass and has a simple wide-mouth top with an angular design that gives it some visual interest. It's also dishwasher-safe at moderate temperatures (up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit), making it easy to clean after working hard at your holiday dinner.

Reviewers have very few complaints about this product, rating it 4.7 stars overall from over 1,100 reviews. A solid 80% of reviewers rate it 5 stars. One raved, "I don't usually get this excited over such a small thing, but this carafe should be in everyone's kitchen. It's perfect for wine, juice, iced tea, lemonade or just water. The simple design and larger opening makes it perfect for a bouquet of flowers. And the larger opening makes cleaning easy. I love this carafe!" Whether you keep one at either end of your holiday dinner table to stay refill-ready, or use it to hold some decorative flowers as a centerpiece, the KARAFF will serve you well through the holidays and beyond.

Candles are a piece of decor that can instantly make guests feel at home. That's because they just add such coziness to a space, especially in the winter. The JUBLA unscented chandelier candles are IKEA's best choice for entertaining. One pack includes 20 chandelier candles for a reasonable price. They're made from 100% stearin and are unscented — perfect for the dining room table or for adding ambiance without scent. They create a bright and steady flame and little soot, so they won't be distracting at the dinner table. When you're shopping for your tablescape, consider these Christmas dining room decor ideas to celebrate a festive feast in style.

From over 1,800 reviews, these candles have a 4.7-star rating overall, with over 80% giving them 5 stars. Many reviewers enjoy them as a dinner party candle, and one said, "I've been buying these for years for dinner candles. No scent, and no drips unless they are in a draft. One candle lasts for about seven to ten leisurely dinners." Depending on how often you host, a single pack is likely to get you through the entire holiday season.

Candles need a safe and stylish holder, and the FULLTALIG candlestick provides. This set includes three candlestick holders in varying heights, made of aluminum with a smart, black epoxy and polyester powder coating. They look stylish, but they're not too festive, so you can dress them up for the holidays but also use them the rest of the year. They fit the JUBLA candles perfectly and will give them some nice varied height for a more dimensional display.

This product is very highly rated, with 4.8 stars from over 600 reviews. An impressive 86% give them 5 stars. A positive review noted, "These are the best candlestick holders. They hold the candles securely, so I never worry about wobbly candles. They also have a wide enough base that they are sturdy. No worries of them tipping if the table gets bumped! They look nice as a threesome, or if you have multiple sets, they look lovely running down the length of the table. I can't recommend these candlestick holders enough!" They really are an excellent choice if you're trying to decorate for holidays while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.

These products are some of IKEA's best-rated offerings that are ideal for elevating holiday gatherings, with at least 4 stars from 300 reviews. We considered a range of products that can help you host, from dinner candles to bar carts. With holiday budgets in mind, these products come at a range of prices, too, with some costing only a few dollars. IKEA holiday decor doesn't feature on this list, since many are new products with very few ratings. Instead, this list focuses on IKEA serving and entertaining classics that are available year-round, which means they're useful long after the holiday season, as well.