These party favors are magically delicious and can really be used for all kinds of different parties! These would be great favors for a kids birthday party with a rainbow theme, a teen party, a ladies’ night, and of course St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day Lucky You Breakfast Cereal Party Favors

I crafted these favors with a few simple supplies that can be found at your nearest grocery store for the most part. While I did a rainbow effect with my bowls and spoons, utilizing simple plastic tableware, you could gather unique and fun bowls and spoons from your local thrift shop or local boutique depending on your budget and goal esthetic.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, which are marked with an asterisk (*). When you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support my blog and allow me to continue providing complimentary resources and content. Thank you for your support!

Cereal Party Favor Supplies:

• Single Serve Cereals (for this event I did Lucky Charms Cereal* as it was a St. Patrick’s Day Party Favor for my Lucky Charms party!)
• Shelf-stable milk* – this isn’t really necessary, but I loved the idea of giving everything someone might need for the treat!
• Bowls (similar rainbow colorful bowls from Amazon*)
• Spoons (similar rainbow colorful spoons from Amazon*)
• Wrapping supplies: Cellophane bags*, Ribbon*, Gold tissue paper*, Printable Tags (See below)

Directions: Add the cereal and milk to the bowl and stuff some tissue paper beneath/behind the items (my items barely fit so the tissue helped to stabilize them). Tape the spoon into the bowl so that it stands upright. Add entire bowl into cellophane bag and tie with ribbon. Attach tag and make curls with the ribbon!

Free Printable Lucky You Favor Tags & Sign

I tend to like how printables can make a party look pulled together and cohesive. These printable tags and sign help make the whole idea of the St. Patrick’s Day party favor make sense and look like part of the overall plan. Download the free printable Lucky You Favor Tags below.

Instructions:

• Click the download below and save to your computer.
• Print on cardstock* to create tags or sticker paper* to create stickers. Print in full color.
• Cut along the line of the design. To make a tag punch a hole in the corner with a hole punch*.

Make your St. Patrick’s Day party extra sweet for your guests with these Lucky Charm Party Favors with cheeky free printable tags!

The post Lucky You St. Patrick’s Day Party Favors with Free Printables appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk.

Celestial party favors as free printables

During my 40th birthday party, the celestial theme was all about the moon, stars, and the future, so it only felt right to create favors that helped guests “discover” what might be ahead. The fortune teller (a classic cootie catcher from the 90s) and the celestial decision spinner both doubled as decor, activities, and take-home gifts.

These printables were originally designed for the Celestial Themed 40th Birthday Bash, so if you’d like to see how they looked in action on the tables and favor displays, you can visit the original post here: Celestial Themed 40th Birthday Bash on A Well Crafted Party. The same designs will work beautifully for a 40th birthday, New Year’s Eve, celestial wedding, or even a Twinkle Twinkle Little Star birthday for little ones.

How to use these free celestial printables

Once downloaded, you can print the fortune teller and spinner at home or through a local print shop, depending on how many guests you’re hosting and how polished you’d like them to look. For a sturdy, party-ready feel, print both designs on a white glossy paper. A heavier weight coverstock would be best for the Magic Spinner fortune teller, I used a 14 pt. cardstock. For the fortune teller I used a 100 lb weight paper.

These celestial printables are for personal use only and are meant as a free resource to help you celebrate well without adding extra design work to your plate. Please do not resell, redistribute, or host the files elsewhere; instead, link back to the printable post or tag @jennibost when sharing.

Printing and folding the 10×10 celestial fortune teller

The fortune teller is designed as a 10×10 inch square so it has enough space for starry details and clear, easy-to-read fortunes. Printing it at the intended size keeps the folds crisp but still large enough for adults and kids alike to use comfortably at a party.

10X10 Fortune Teller:

• Click to download the 10X10 Fortune Teller PDF free fortune teller printable. Save the file to your printer and print on a large-format home printer or through an online or local printer.
• To print at 10X10 size: Most home printers won’t print at the 10×10 size. Mine doesn’t! I ordered my prints from Uprinting.com but any local printer would be able to print these at actual 10X10 size. You can print single sided if you want a white background or print double sided to have the celestial print on the other side. My print order: Size: 10″ x 10″, Paper Type: 100 lb. Paper Gloss, Folding: None, Printed Side: Front and Back, Bundling: None
• If you do have a large format printer then print actual size on a glossy 11X17 cardstock*.

8X8 Fortune Teller:

• Click to download the 8X8 Fortune Teller PDF free fortune teller printable. Save the file to your printer and print on your home printer or
• To print at 8X8 size: Print at actual side and double sided on 8.5X11 glossy paper*. You may have to adjust your printer settings to get the image to line up. You can print single sided if you want a white background or print double sided to have the celestial print on the other side.

To fold the fortune teller (cootie catcher):

• Start with the printed square facing design-side down on a flat surface.
• Fold each corner into the center so all four points meet in the middle, creating a smaller square, then crease each fold firmly with your fingernail or a bone folder*. (I highly recommend a bone folder to keep the print looking good!)
• Flip the paper over so the folded flaps are now face down, and again fold each corner into the center, forming an even smaller square.
• With the folded side up, fold the square in half horizontally, crease well, then unfold and fold in half vertically, creasing again.
• Slip your thumbs and index fingers under the four inner flaps from the underside and gently push inward to pop the fortune teller into shape, adjusting the creases so it opens and closes smoothly.

Printing and assembling the 7×9 celestial decision spinner

The celestial decision wheel spinner is designed at 7×9 inches so it can sit nicely on a plate, favor table, or bar as both decor and an interactive activity. Guests can ask the spinner a question and spin to “see” what the stars suggest they do next—whether that’s dance, grab dessert, or snap a photo!

To print the 7×9 celestial spinner (celestial decision wheel):

• Download the Free Celestial Fortune Teller Spinner PDF and save to your computer
• Print on 14 pt glossy cardstock* to keep the spinner sturdy as guests use it.
• In your printer dialog, choose “Actual Size” so the spinner remains at 7×9 inches, and avoid “Fit to Page” to prevent distortion.
• Allow the ink to dry fully before cutting so dark blues and blacks don’t smudge over the stars and text.

To assemble the spinner:

• Carefully cut out the spinner shape along the outer border lines with scissors or a craft knife and cutting mat.
• Using a small hole punch, awl, or sharp craft tool, create a small hole in the exact center of the middle star on the spinner design.
• Attach a ready-made plastic or metal spinner arrow* through the center hole, following the hardware instructions (often a small brad or screw-style fastener).
• If using a brad, place the arrow on top, insert the brad through the arrow and the center hole, then spread the brad prongs flat on the back so the arrow can spin freely without wobbling.

For best results, test the spinner before the party to make sure the arrow glides smoothly around the circle and clearly points to each celestial prompt or decision.

Bringing the celestial theme together

At the original party, the fortune tellers and spinners joined glowing moon lights*, strands of star fairy lights*, and personalized star ornaments to create layered, starry table settings. You can pair these printables with other celestial touches—like metallic star garlands, dark blue linens, or twinkle lights—to create a cohesive look without overwhelming your decor.

To see how the fortune tellers and spinners fit into the full event, including decor, favors, and entertainment, head over to the Celestial Themed Party post and use it as a blueprint for your own moon-and-stars celebration. Whether you are planning a milestone birthday, New Year’s Eve party, or cosmic-inspired wedding, these free printables are ready to help your guests feel like fortune really does favor them.

The post Free Printable Fortune Teller & Magic Spinner appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

Where to find retro-inspired partyware:

Collecting partyware seems to be a bad habit of mine. These retro inspired party items were collected over the years and have been utilized in many different party themes! Some of my favorite places to go to find great vintage ware include:

1. Estate sales – I don’t go nearly as often as I like, but when I do I’m always looking for partyware, dishware, serviceware that might fit in with items I have at home. These are often a great place to find vintage tablecloth and napkins as well!
2. Thrifting or Vintage Shops- Sometimes it is a little hit and miss while thrifting, but there are occasional wins! Going to a more curated vintage shop or consignment shop may yield better results.
3. Etsy– This is a treasure trove of vintage items. Be careful to read reviews. Some vintage shops I’ve purchased items from before:
   • The Wild World
   • Poolhaus Vintage
   • A Wild Tonic Vintage

What to Serve at a Retro Inspired BBQ

A classic retro potluck BBQ features an array of vintage sides and desserts that evoke the nostalgia of mid-century gatherings and backyard parties. Here’s a well-curated list to inspire your celebration.

Vintage Main Dishes for a Retro BBQ Party

• Hot Dogs: Classic split and grilled hot dogs with simple mustard and relish deliver the nostalgic flavors of 1950s backyard cookouts. Use all-beef sausages or brats for a really delicious main dish.
• Hamburgers: Old-school hamburgers made with juicy ground beef and served on buttered buns with lettuce and tomato bring timeless diner charm to any BBQ.
• BBQ Chicken: Sticky, smoky BBQ chicken marinated in maple or classic sauce and grilled to caramelized perfection is a vintage crowd favorite.
• Kabobs: Colorful vintage BBQ kabobs featuring marinated chicken, onions, and peppers on skewers offer a fun, customizable classic for retro summer grilling. Kabobs are a great solution for Vegetarians in the crowd as well. You can simply leave off the chicken and add in mushrooms! Don’t forget the pineapple for a truly retro-inspired kabob!
• Ribs: Tender, fall-off-the-bone retro BBQ ribs basted with a rich, smoky sauce take center stage at traditional potlucks and block parties.

Classic Vintage Sides

• Vintage Pea Salad: Typically made with peas, crispy bacon, cheddar, and creamy dressing for a cool, pop-of-color side.
• Quick Brown Sugar Baked Beans: Sweet and hearty baked beans are a vintage staple at any potluck table.
• Macaroni Salad: Loaded with mayo, diced veggies, and sometimes ham or cheese—this creamy salad always transports guests to bygone eras.
• Potato Salad: Made classic with hard-boiled eggs, celery, mustard, and mayonnaise; deliciously retro.
• Deviled Eggs: Tangy, creamy, and a perfect finger food that disappears fast.
• Pickle Platter: Bring out all the pickled vegetables!
• Four Bean Salad: Beans, onions, and a bright vinegerette—easy, make-ahead, and quintessentially vintage.
• Corn on the Cob: Boiled or grilled, often served with flavored butters and salt. Or try a corn salad!

Retro Desserts

• Jell-O Mold Salad: Bright, wobbly, and loaded with fruit or marshmallows—nothing says “vintage” like a Jell-O centerpiece.
• Citrus Bundt Cake: Tangy, glazed cake using pudding mix for extra moisture—easy and popular with all ages.
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: Chewy and nostalgic, these homemade cookies are always a hit.
• Cherry Delight: A creamy dessert topped with canned cherry pie filling—a refrigerator classic.
• Chocolate Pie: Rich, velvety, and topped with whipped cream, best served chilled for summer.
• Strawberry Shortcake or Cobbler: Baked with golden crust and jammy strawberries, often served warm or room temperature.
• Lemon Bars: Tart filling, shortbread crust, dusted with powdered sugar—a picnic favorite.
• Cherry Fluff: , Whipped topping, condensed milk, crushed pineapple, cherry pie filling, shredded coconut, and pecans served chilled. 
• Icebox Cake: Layers of cookies and whipped cream, left to set in the refrigerator—a cool, creamy treat.

Hopefully these ideas will inspire a classic and nostalgic holiday bbq potluck!

For more tips for a retro bbq potluck and free printables read: Retro Potluck: What to Bring to the BBQ and Free Printables

The post Video: Retro Potluck for Labor Day appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

What Makes Four Bean Salad Perfect for Potlucks?

Four bean salad is beloved because it checks all the boxes for group gatherings:

• Easy to prepare ahead: Flavors improve after time in the fridge. Let it sit for at least 1 hour, but overnight works great too!
• Vegan & gluten-free: Inclusive for guests with dietary restrictions. It’s also chock-full of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. So, you’ll be the winner of the potluck with this healthy and tasty side!
• Budget-friendly: It can be made mostly with things that came from a can! You can make this entire dish with around $6 of canned and fresh items and some pantry items you have on hand.
• Colorful and crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love this dish? It’s colorful, fresh, and delicious!

Classic Touches: A Nostalgic Summer Side

What gives this dish retro charm? The four bean salad has roots in mid-century American home cooking, making appearances at picnics and backyard BBQs since the 1950s. The sweet-tart vinegar dressing and mix of beans—often green, kidney, garbanzo, and cannellini beans—showcase an era when potluck foods needed to be both practical and delicious.

Bean Salad Variations

• Swap in or out your favorite beans: pinto, black, or butter beans work well.
• Add extra crunch: diced peppers, onions, or even sweet corn create a fresh twist.
• Customize your dressing: classic sugar-vinegar, or add lemon juice and cumin for a modern touch.

How to Serve Four Bean Salad

• Chill overnight for maximum flavor.
• Serve straight from the fridge in a large bowl; it travels and holds up well outdoors.
• For an added surprise, garnish with something crunchy! Add some pepitas or a slivered almond for a fun twist on this classic dish.

Four Bean Salad Recipe

This classic recipe is a play on the vintage three bean salad that infuses a bit of modern flavor with blanched fresh green beans and flavor-infused sauteed garbanzo beans. Neither of these additions are required for this dish, you can simply used canned green beans and garbanzo beans. But, the extra flavor is so worth it!

Ingredients: (Note: This is a potluck sized dish. You can split in half for a large family-sized portion.)

• 32 oz of French Green Beans (cut small and blanched) – you can substitute 2 cans of green beans or 32 oz frozen green beans
• 2 cans of kidney beans
• 2 cans of cannellini beans
• 2 cans of garbanzo beans
• 1 red onion
• 1 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves grated fresh garlic)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar

Optional for garbanzo beans:

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt & Pepper

Directions for the Modern Twist on the Classic Four Bean Salad:

1. Rinse all the canned items!
2. Cut and blanch green beans. To blanch green beans boil water and let green beans cook in boiling water for approximately 2 minutes (fork tender). Strain and then dump green beans in an ice bath of ice and water to stop the cooking.
3. Thinly slice a red onion and put in cold water. This is a great way to take some of the bite out of the red onion, leaving a tasty flavor behind! Drain before mixing.
4. Sautee garbanzo beans in a pan over medium heat with garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until slightly browned. Let cool.
5. Make the dressing! Add the olive oil, red vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic, and Italian seasoning to a mason jar, add a lid, and shake until incorporated. (You can also mix together using a whisk.)
6. Mix the blanched green beans, flavor-infused garbanzo beans, red onions, cannellini beans, kidney beans, and dressing in a bowl.
7. Let marinate, covered, in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour. This can be made the evening before your event for ease and flavor!

Four Bean Salad: Frequently Asked Questions

How long does four bean salad keep?

Stored in the fridge, it’s good for 3-5 days—making it perfect to prep ahead.

Can different beans be used?

Absolutely! Mix and match canned beans to suit your taste and pantry stock.

Is four bean salad healthy?

Yes! Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins from beans and veggies, it’s a wholesome choice for any potluck.

The post Retro Four Bean Salad: The Potluck Star Side Dish appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

Free Printables for a Seamless Potluck

Potlucks are all about sharing! To make your summer BBQ potluck even simpler, I’m sharing a set of free printable potluck cards and a handy summer fun essentials such as sunscreen and bug spray! Grab the printables, print them out for your party, and you’re ready to go.

• Printable Potluck Cards: Perfect for labeling dishes and ingredients, helping guests with food allergies or preferences know exactly what’s on the table. Simply print them on cardstock, cut them out, and display them next to every dish.

• Summer Essentials Checklist: Keep everyone smiling all afternoon by having extras of must-haves like sunscreen, bug spray, and hand wipes on hand.

Hosting Tips for a Retro BBQ Potluck

Hosting a BBQ potluck doesn’t mean extra stress. With these easy ideas, you can keep things laid-back, festive, and truly retro:

• Pick Your Theme: Think vintage picnic vibes, classic checkered or striped tablecloths, and mason jars! Ask guests to wear their favorite retro summer outfits for nostalgia and fun photos.
• Assign Categories: To get a great variety, ask guests to sign up for appetizers, mains, sides, or desserts. Assign them by last name to make it really easy (for example “if your last name starts with A-F then bring an appetizer, G-K a dessert,” and so on!) Don’t forget to use a potluck sign-up sheet to track who’s bringing what. A simple google sheet will work or there are great online potluck sites that take the guess work out of the planning!
• DIY Burger or Hot Dog Bar: Set up a burger or hot dog bar with plenty of retro toppings (think: grilled onions, pickles, and old-school sauces). Guests can stack burgers and dogs their own way—easy and interactive. Don’t forget a pickle bar to really bring in the retro vibes.
• Fun Sides and Classics: Encourage dishes like vintage potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salads, baked beans, and fruity Jell-O desserts. These classics are always a hit and fit the retro BBQ theme.
• Keep It Cool: Offer refreshing big-batch drinks—lemonade, iced tea, or a fun spritz in a large dispenser. Set up shaded areas or offer hand fans for warm afternoons.
• Buffet-Style Setup: Use trays, crates, and platter stands for display. Place plates and utensils at one end and drinks at another so the flow stays smooth and mingling is easy.
  

Bonus Potluck Tips

• Label Everything: Set out your free printable potluck cards so each dish is clearly labeled. Add a spot for ingredients to help those with dietary restrictions.
• Summer Prep Station: Place your summer essentials checklist by the door—when guests arrive, remind them to grab sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat.
• Music & Games: Put together a retro playlist or classic summer games like horseshoes, croquet, or a hula hoop contest.

Download Your Free Summer Printables

Ready to host your summer potluck in vintage style? Don’t forget to download the free printables: potluck dish cards, recipe cards, and the summer fun essentials checklist. These will keep your BBQ organized, safe, and full of classic charm.

Here’s to easy summer potluck fun—delicious food, happy guests, and a little bit oft of retro flair!

The post Retro Potluck: What to Bring to the BBQ + Free Printables appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

About America’s Favorite Couple, The Bosts:

How we met: Brian and I were a blind date. Well, we were supposed to be a blind date but we met BEFORE the blind date and then had the awkward back and forth of does he (does she) like me. We were put together by two college friends who knew I was a serial dater – didn’t want to be in the long game with anyone and he was about to graduate. Twenty years later we still have them to thank.

Fun story: My grandparents were set up on a blind date as well. They stood the test of time and will always be an inspiration to us!

Favorite Memory: There are too many favorite memories. We’ve had two beautiful children together. We’ve made homes together. We’ve traveled together. But, I think one of my ultimate favorite memories is the trip we made from Oklahoma to Portland in a UHaul truck. We said we’d move and decided on Portland sight unseen. None of our friends and family (and somewhat US) really believed we’d do it, but we did!

The tagline: Our pre-marital counselor said,” you should break up now or you’ll be together forever.”

Brian commits to things like no one I’ve ever met. When he sets his mind to something he is going to do it, but our relationship did not start out as a commitment. (See photos from our wedding!)

When we were introduced, the plan was to break up when Brian graduated. And, we did! But, we then became friends. He lived across the country and we wrote (old school letters) and talked early in the morning on the phone. That friendship is really the basis of what we have together rather than the first few months we dated. When he moved back to Oklahoma we spent time just being friends, being dorky with each other and not caring if we didn’t look attractive or if we said the wrong thing. To this day he is the one person I can be utterly myself with. We of course (spoiler!) found our way to each other romantically again.

Wedding Newspaper Headline: Casual Intentions Lead to Marriage

When we got engaged, coming from a family of divorce, I really wanted to have pre-marital counseling. As a bonus, Oklahoma gave discounted marriage licenses to those who had pre-marital counseling and my school offered 8 free sessions. It was hands down the best decision! Pre-marital counseling had us thinking about what we valued and wanted in life. It allowed us to share that with each other and decide to commit to the other person’s goals and hopes as well as our own. At the very last session our pre-marital counselor, obviously understanding Brian’s ability to commit wholly and also recognizing the passionate (read: volatile, changeable, enthusiastic) person I am, gave us a warning. He said that we should break up right then and there, or we’d be together forever.

Our mission: Be generous.

One of the many things that came out of that pre-marital counseling, besides utter commitment to surviving and thriving, was a joint mission. One of my core values is to be generous. To be generous of my time, my talents, and where I can, my money. Brian always fit into that value as he is so generous in spirit. He has a passion for the earth and for people that is unmatched. Together we spend our married life trying to be generous to those around us. Some of that you see on this blog, but some is so personal that no one but he and I will ever know about it.

America’s Favorite Couple: Causes Worth Competing For!

When I applied to America’s Favorite Couple I thought it was funny and I needed a distraction from medical issues. When I found out we were accepted, my jaw dropped and I had to figure out how to tell Brian he was going to be online for a couple’s competition. However, the easiest thing to get both he and I onboard for this competition is the great causes it is raising money for!

The two causes very much represent Brian and Jenni. I am passionate about food security and food banks. I grew up needing the generosity of food banks, food kitchens, free school meals, and the like. Brian is an avid environmentalist who loves wildlife. The California Regional Food Bank and Oceana groups that this competition is raising awareness and funds for are a great reason to be a part of this competition.

So, please vote for us. Please vote for us and donate to these two worthy causes!

The post America’s Favorite Couple: The Bosts appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

What is Gazpacho?

Who likes to turn on a heat source when it is 90+ degrees outside? Not me. A Gazpacho is a Spanish chilled soup. They are often made up of a variety of blended fresh vegetables, spices, herbs, and some vinegar and olive oil. They are chilled and served cold. Cold soup!? If you’ve never had this refreshing watermelon gazpacho dish, add it to your menu before the summer is over. This gazpacho recipe is a great appetizer or main!

Watermelon Jalapeno Gazpacho

This refreshing chilled soup takes a good blender or food processor to make. I tried it with a standard blender and it required a lot more chopping up of vegetables and it was a bit chunkier than I’d like. However, if that is all you have then I’d recommend chopping your vegetables up smaller and doing in batches.

Watermelon Jalapeno Gazpacho Ingredients: Please note that this recipe is incredibly flexible. Don’t know if your two large tomatoes are large enough or too large? Do not worry about it. Only have canned diced tomatoes? Sure, let’s try it! Make to taste and flex as needed.

• 4 cups of seedless watermelon (or 1 small seedless watermelon), cut into chunks
• 1 english cucumber (note: 3/4 english cucumber will be for mixture and 1/4 for garnish)
• 2-3 tomatoes (I used 3 heirloom tomatoes that were medium to large in size)
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 large shallot (or small red onion will also work)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeno pepper (seeded if your concerned about spice)
• 1/2 cup Good quality olive oil and more for drizzling
• Salt/Pepper
• 4 tablespoons Sherry Vinegar (red wine vinegar also works well)
• Cold Water (I keep about 1 cup of water near and use as needed)

Directions for a tasty Watermelon Jalapeno Gazpacho:

1. Chop up all ingredients (aside from 1/4 cucumber which you should finely dice and set aside for garnish) so that your blender or food processor can easily take care of the mixture.
2. Put tomato, watermelon, jalapeno, red pepper, shallot, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic in blender and blend til smooth. Use water as needed to keep the mixture turning.
3. Taste for flavor, add more salt/pepper if needed.
4. Chill for 2 hours for flavors to meld.
5. Garnish with good quality olive oil and diced cucumber.

You can serve this watermelon gazpacho with a nice crusty bread or eat as is! I also love the idea of adding in some bay shrimp to this chilled soup for a refreshing and filling meal.

What is your favorite dish to serve for a dinner outdoors?

Share in the comments below!

The post Watermelon Jalapeno Gazpacho appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

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When I’m looking for flowers for my arrangements I tend to look for a few different categories. And, because I’m a bit dramatic… the categories are as follows: The Stars, The Supporting Characters, and then the Extras or the Day-Players.

Meet the Grocery Store Floral Bouquet Cast:

The Stars: This will include 1 to 2 different types of flowers that are the focus of the bouquet. They are leading the cast of characters in this show and are beautiful to look at. Often you’ll see flowers like roses, peonies, and irises be the stars.

The Supporting Characters: These will include 2 to 3 different types of flowers that are also beautiful and interesting, but not as BIG or exciting as the stars. Roses can fit here too if you have other more interesting flowers standing in as the stars.

The Extras/Day Players: These are your filler pieces. You can use 1 to 3 different kinds usually and make a beautiful bouquet. Generally this is your area for greenery or flowers that are more of a filler like baby’s breath or hydrangeas.

Where do you start when making a DIY Bouquet at home?

Start with proper flower prep: Remove leaves, clip the end at an angle, and get the stems in water as soon as you get home from the store if at all possible. This will allow your blooms to really pull in water and look their best.

Prep your vessel:

Ceramic Vase with Chicken Wire: I like using ceramic vases* when doing more elaborate designs because I can hide my inner workings a bit. If you want to have a lot of structure I suggest using floral chicken wire* wrapped into the vessel so you can place stems where you’d like them. I also love fun vases such as a head shaped vase* or small bud vases* to create smaller but interesting bouquets.

Clear Vase with Scotch Tape Grid: If you are using a clear vessel you can use scotch tape to create a grid on the top of the vase. It isn’t the most sturdy solution, but it helps!

Water: Pour in fresh water for your vessels (as in not the water it has been sitting in). I typically use the pack of flower food that comes with the grocery store flowers per directions in my water. I feel like it does help with the overall time my flowers do well. However, the best tip is to clean your water and pour fresh water every couple of days to really extend the freshness of the bouquet.

Building your DIY Bouquet

Now that you have your vessel and flowers prepped, it is time to have fun and build your bouquet. Now, you’ll get different schools of thought on the method of building, but I’ll share what works well for me. As with most things, there are many ways to get to your goal!

First, plan to clip your flowers to the size you need as you go. I use a pair of floral shears*, but a good pair of kitchen shears work fine as long as your stems aren’t too reedy or thick. As a general rule of thumb your flowers can be about as tall above the vase as the vase is tall. You can cut to different sizes to create shapes or highlight certain blooms more.

1. Extras go first! Fill the base with a good layer of the filler flowers and greenery.
2. Supporting characters go next. I like to work with these in odd numbers. If I want 3-5 of my stars then I’ll do 5 to 7 of my supporting character flowers.
3. FInally, add in your stars! Give them the spotlight. I like adding them last as I am able to utilize the rest of the stems to help give my stars the structure they need to stand out.

Be careful to not overfill your vase with the extras and supporting cast. You can always go back and add more if needed, just get in enough to build structure and let you get your stars in the exact place they need to be.

It was a blast sharing my DIY floral tips with Hannah at KATU’s Afternoon Live. It was a speed marathon floral building session, but in the end, we ended up with some beautiful home-bouquets!

Do you have any tips or tricks that I might be missing here? Share in the comments!

The post Quick and Easy Floral Arrangements: Turn Grocery Store Flowers into Show-Stopping Bouquets appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

Note: I say the above fully tongue in cheek. The most adult thing to do is to know when and when not to drink alcohol and be safe about imbibing. This drink is absolutely delightful without the alcohol. It is not a low-calorie or low-sugar drink however. It should be an occasional treat!

How to make Cereal Milk

This St. Patrick’s Day Boozy Shake only has a few ingredients but does take a little time to really get it right. The time is to create the “Cereal Milk” ingredient. It is literally the BEST part of cereal as a child… the flavor of the milk after you’ve eaten all the cereal and you’re drinking it up out of the bowl! And, it is an easy step. Simply add the cereal to milk and let it sit in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Strain for use in your shake.

Print

Boozy Lucky Charm Cereal Milkshake

A St. Patrick's Day cocktail ripe with nostalgia!

Servings 1 serving

Author Jenni

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream (approximately 4 scoops)
• 3/4 cup Cereal Milk (Milk that has been soaked in Lucky Charm cereal for a minimum of 30 minutes and strained.)
• 1 oz whipped cream vodka you can substitute marshmallow vodka or vanilla vodka
• whipped cream
• dehydrated marshmallows Lucky Charm Marshmallows

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Blend Ice cream, cereal milk, and vodka until smooth
• Pour mixture into glass and top with whipped cream and marshmallows

The post Celebrate with a Nostalgic Lucky Charm Cereal Milkshake appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.

It was a pleasure getting to visit the studio at KATU’s Afternoon Live again! This time I shared some tips for a Valentine’s Day dinner party that will delight!

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Tips for creating a Valentine’s Day Tablescape:

1. Layer on the patterns, but keep it to the same color palette. I’m a maximalist who loves clean modern lines. So, when I want a delightful tablescape I think about layering on patterns in my linens and paper goods. However, if the patterns are mixing a bunch of different colors as well as shapes, it tends to not look intentional and can cause a chaotic feeling rather than one of interest.

I chose prints of black and white (dots, lines, checkers) and then I did add in one printed paper good that had a black and white color scheme along with the red and pink I had as my pops of solid colors. It worked because the print was used very sparingly, went with the rest of the colors, and was a larger print rather than small and busy. Below are resources to recreate the look!

• Striped Table Runners* (12 runners),
• Checker Table Runners* (12 runners),
• Flower cocktail napkins*,
• Linen and Black Polka Dot Napkins*,
• Bust Vase*, Faux-leather red heart napkin holders*,
• Black Silverware*,
• Heart Bowl from Target (or if you’d prefer glass, these Pink Crystal Dessert Bowls* would look so cute!), pedestal
• The pedestal cake stands are sold out from Target. Here are some of my favorite pink and red cake stands from Amazon: Pink Vintage Inspired Glass Cake Stand*, Red Melamine Scalloped Cake Stand*, Red Glass Cake Stand*, & Pink Scallop Dessert Stand*,
• The crystal sugar jars were also a pre-season find at Target that are now sold out, but these red crystal sugar dishes* and these pink crystal candy dishes* would work for this as well!
• White heart salad plates*
• Black dinner plates*

2. Add in a handmade element to make it more personalized or interesting. I find that small handmade elements can add a bit of whimsy and surprise, especially when layered into the design. Wouldn’t it be fun for you to sit down to a table filled with beautiful things and see your name peeking out from a placemat or notice a piece of quirky art in the midst of perfection? I purchased white fabric placemats* and black fabric markers* and went to town creating XOXO placemats and ones that said “Love You!”.
3. Set out dessert and the first course or appetizers before the party starts so you’re not in the kitchen the whole party! I utilized the dessert as part of the tablescape because Valentine’s Day and decadent desserts just go together. I also placed a caprese salad in heart shaped bowls on the plates so that the first course was ready to go.

4. Serve a signature drink! I really love a signature cocktail at a party. It decreases the amount of bar items you have to prepare, allows you to drive your concept through to the food and drinks, and still provides for guests! For Valentine’s Day I’d go with a great chocolate martini! I served a black forest cocktail for this particular party theme.

Would you like to go to a dinner party like this? I know I would! I love the pops of color contrasted with the black and white graphic elements. But, moreso, I think it would be fun to celebrate with people I love in such a pretty setting!

The post Valentine’s Day Dinner Party Tips with KATU Afternoon Live appeared first on A Well Crafted Party.