Checklist · 12 picks · 5 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Affiliate link.
Hosting a holiday or ugly-sweater party in an apartment comes down to five things: music people can actually hear, lights that make the room feel like a party, a snack board, somewhere cold for drinks once the fridge fills up, and a game for when the small talk runs out.
You don't need all of it on day one. The speakers are What Hi-Fi? award winners, the string lights come from Bob Vila's published test, the coolers from Food Network's reviews, the boards from Food Network and NBC Select's expert picks, and the games from GamesRadar+. There are budget, mid and splurge options throughout, and each card shows the drawback the reviewers called out. If space is tight, start with a compact speaker and the 20-quart cooler.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want a full game shelf or a stocked bar cart, since the Board Game Night Kit and Home Bar Starter Kit go much deeper.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
Pick a budget to see your plan.
Your plan lives in this link. Copy it or email it to yourself so Safari doesn't forget it.
Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 3 on your list · tap one to see your options
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Flip 7 | mid | $100-150 | a portable speaker for everyday use | 1 outlet |
| JBL Go 5 | budget | $25-50 | a tiny speaker on a budget | 1 outlet |
| JBL Charge 6 | splurge | $150-200 | one speaker that does it all | 1 outlet |
Best speakermid pick · Portable
Best for a portable speaker for everyday use
What Hi-Fi?'s best portable Bluetooth speaker: a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner 2026, refined, portable and tough to beat at this price.
Heads up. Can be critical of recording and source quality
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best portable Bluetooth speaker.
$100-150
Search AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
budget pick · Ultra-portable
Best for a tiny speaker on a budget
What Hi-Fi?'s best budget Bluetooth speaker: very few speakers are capable of such an impressive performance-to-size ratio.
Heads up. Limited customisation for on-unit lighting, and no supplied USB-C cable
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best budget Bluetooth speaker.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Durable
Best for one speaker that does it all
What Hi-Fi?'s best Bluetooth speaker overall: a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner 2026 and an excellent all-round performer that has all the bases covered.
Heads up. More affordable JBL models are available
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best Bluetooth speaker overall.
$150-200
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twinkle Star 66-Foot 200 LED Christmas String Lights | budget | $15-25 | warm white glow on a budget | 1 outlet |
| Yiqu 82-Foot 200 LED Christmas String Lights | mid | $25-50 | wrapping a tree, window or wall with one long strand | 1 outlet |
| Twinkly Strings Smart LED Christmas Lights | splurge | $100-150 | custom colors and effects from your phone | 1 outlet |
Best string lightsbudget pick · 66 ft
Best for warm white glow on a budget
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck Christmas lights: one set of warm white lights with a host of different blinking modes.
Heads up. The controller isn't waterproof, so keep it away from moisture
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck Christmas lights.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · 82 ft
Best for wrapping a tree, window or wall with one long strand
Bob Vila's best overall Christmas lights: versatile, with a supple but strong cord and a variety of lighting patterns.
Heads up. The modes can only be changed at the plug
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Christmas lights.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · 26 ft
Best for custom colors and effects from your phone
Bob Vila's best smart lights: app-controlled strings that check most boxes, with 16 million color and pattern combinations.
Heads up. Each strand has to be synced in the app instead of linked, and the plug may not fit some outdoor outlets
1 outlet. Bob Vila best smart lights.
$100-150
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
Best coolerbudget pick · 48 qt
Best for icing a lot of drinks without spending much
Food Network's best budget cooler: lightweight with TempLock insulation, and testers said you can't beat the price.
Heads up. No upright handle, and ice pops melted within four hours in Food Network's test
1 outlet. Food Network best budget cooler.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · 20 qt
Best for a compact cooler that fits a small apartment
Food Network's best value cooler: a rotomolded hard cooler with a leak-proof seal and up to 3 inches of insulation.
Heads up. Heavy for its size
1 outlet. Food Network best value cooler.
$150-200
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
Best party gamebudget pick · Big groups
Best for big groups and non-gamers
GamesRadar+'s best party board game: the ultimate pick-up-and-play game, with no complicated rules and lots of table talk.
Heads up. Needs at least four players to shine, and the pressure isn't for everyone
1 outlet. GamesRadar+ best party board game.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smirly Large Charcuterie Board Set | mid | $50-100 | big spreads with everything in one set | 1 outlet |
| Homeries Marble and Cutting Pastry Board | budget | $25-50 | a classic marble cheese board | 1 outlet |
| Sophistiplate Charcuterie Board with Placement Guide | splurge | $50-100 | first-time board builders | 1 outlet |
Best serving boardmid pick · Large
Best for big spreads with everything in one set
NBC Select's best for large spreads: a bamboo board with three hidden drawers to store accessories and expand your spread.
Heads up. Wood may crack easily
1 outlet. NBC Select best for large spreads.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Standard
Best for a classic marble cheese board
Food Network's best marble cutting board: the stone can be chilled in the fridge to keep cheeses cold on top.
Heads up. Food Network gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. Food Network best marble cutting board.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · 22 x 17 in
Best for first-time board builders
NBC Select's best for beginners: the visual map shows where to place cheeses, meats, fruits and more.
Heads up. Not as sleek as other boards
1 outlet. NBC Select best for beginners.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Music, some lighting, snacks on a board and a way to keep drinks cold. A speaker and string lights do the most to change the mood, and a cooler helps once the fridge is full of food.
Pick games that take a minute to teach and handle a crowd. GamesRadar+ says Codenames shines with four or more players.
Not for a small hang. For a bigger party, a cooler of ice next to the drinks keeps guests out of the kitchen and leaves fridge space for food.