Host a Christmas Ornament-Making Party

Celebrate the holidays by hosting an ornament-making party. Not only will guests leave with a new skill, the ornaments they make will remind them of your festive gathering all season long.

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July 08, 2015

By: Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

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Set the Scene

Create a festive and glamorous holiday party look by playing up metallics, fuchsia, tangerine, and pops of aqua and teal. Inspired by a zig-zag pattern, the color palette invokes energy, fun and cheer.

Pretty RSVP

Step up your paper game with these free printable invitations! Line envelopes with matching glitter paper. (To get the same look, pour a few drops of glitter nail polish or multi-surface glitter paint on the dots.)

Upcycle Your Old Ornaments

Old ornaments and Styrofoam balls can be piled in clear bowls. Group like items together and create handy tags that let guests know more about tools. Tip: Place decorative papers in a clear rectangle vase allowing visibility to assortment while keeping the station tidy.

Bowled Over

Items such as sequins, beads, stamps, pins, glitter and bells look great in small round bowls. Plus, it keeps them accessible for everyone.

The Choice is Clear

Starting with the tallest items in the back, arrange supplies in clear acrylic trays, solid boxes and clear bowls for a less cluttered look.

Stock Up

Buy basic items such as glue sticks, pens and scissors in sufficient quantities so you have one per guest. Invest in good quality paper cutters and template tools. These save time and the results are much better.

Go Shopping

Before the party, stock up on supplies by making one single trip to a craft store. Here's a handy shopping list of items to get:
1. Glue sticks
2. Hot glue gun and glue sticks
3. Multi-surface glue
4. Glitter in several colors
5. Sequins
6. Fabric scraps
7. Paper: gift wrapping paper, wallpaper scraps, colored printer paper and cardstock
8. Clear tape
9. Washi tape
10. Beads
11. Holiday embellishments
12. Old ornaments
13. Styrofoam balls
14. Scissors
15. Paper cutters
16. Utility knife
17. String
18. Spray paints, acrylic and water paints
19. Stencils
20. Paper punch
21. Floral wire
22. Hole punch
23. Ribbons in assorted colors
24. Circle cutter
25. Felt sheets
26. Basic sewing kit
27. Colored pens and pencils
28. Buckets and containers for mixing paint

Put Together Fun Favors

Provide make-your-own-ornament kits for each guest. Place craft supplies such as glue sticks, scissors, glitter, washi tape, pens and decorative paper in each box. These orange boxes can double as favors.

Personal Touch

Wrap yarn with a bell around each box and insert a nametag for a personal touch. Arrange these together for a powerful visual impact.

Station to Station

Set up two tables for this party; a crafting station and another table for bites and sips. With the focus of this party on crafting, dedicate a large surface for guests to make their ornaments. Transform your dining table into a visually-appealing craft station and arrange chairs around it so guests are comfortable while working on their handmade ornaments. Dress with a simple white tablecloth, then layer with a fabric runner in coordinating colors for visual punch.

Festive Focal Point

Make one craft the focal point on the wall above the ornament station. Here, a large ornament arouses curiosity in guests while giving them ideas to get them started. A hand-crafted banner completes the wall decor. Get the step-by-step instructions >>

Fold a Butterfly

These origami Christmas ornaments look impressive, but they're so simple to make. (They're also a creative way to use pretty wrapping paper scraps.) Get the step-by-step instructions >>

Tie It Together

For a coherent look, carry the fabrics from the crafting station to the food table. Another white linen tablecloth serves as a base and is layered with three runners, from the same craft table fabric, along the width of the table.

Make a Centerpiece That Pops

Set three white vases toward the back of the table to make the centerpiece. Group similar colored flowers together to bring out each hue and create an elegant look. Add a few gold ornaments to the white hydrangea arrangement for an unexpected pop.

Posh Nosh

Divide the table into three sections; sweet, savory and bubbly and indicate this on pretty tags. In the center of the table, place shots of rose lemon champagne punch, garnished with blueberries on a rectangle white plate. Using white highlights the bright colors and keeps the look streamlined.

Rose Lemon Champagne Punch

Toast to the season with a flute of punch. Get the recipe >>

Bite-Sized Buffet

Select bite-sized menu items that are easy to make and don't detract from the casual nature of the party. One or two each of savory and sweet items is sufficient for such a gathering. Keeping the menu simple allows ample time to focus on enjoying the evening with guests.

Get Carded

Set savory treats such as crudités and dips on one side and desserts such as chocolate truffles and cake bites on the other. Helpful and unique menu cards, created by little bit heart using wood sheets, keep guests informed about the bites and sips they're about to enjoy.

Artichoke and Black Truffle Dip

This savory dip pairs perfectly with flatbreads and pitas. Serve flatbread pieces in graphic cupcake liners for a quick and chic presentation. Get the recipe >>

Dark Chocolate Truffles With Champagne and Coconut Flakes

These truffles are delicious and pretty to look at it. Get the recipe >>

Light It Up

Flickering tealights in votives arranged in two single rows between the runners play up the fuscia. Gold forks glimmer in the warm glow of candles.

O Tannenbaum

Last but not least, place a tabletop wire tree on a side table for guests to display their handmade ornaments. To break up the shapes of the other tables, use a round sidetable and cover it in a fun tablecloth like the polka dot cloth shown here.