If you’ve been to one house party, you’ve been to all of them.
At least that’s how it is most of the time. And I’m not saying it’s not fun, but do you go home with memories and lasting impressions? Rarely. A banner that was picked up at the last minute at a store and a bowl of potato salad aren’t anything to write home about.
The way I see it, if you’re throwing a party or a gathering of any kind, you should put some thought into it. For me, that means I’m not buying the dip from Walmart, I’m making my own even if it turns a little lumpy. I’m not spending crazy money on centerpieces; I’m making them myself from the flowers I picked in my garden. And I think that this is what sticks.
From the moment you walk into a gathering that someone put their heart and soul into, you feel the warmth.
You can tell that the person is glad you’re there because they put time and effort into it.
How to Add Personality Through DIY Details
Location, location, location.
Will the gathering be indoors or outdoors?
Outdoor gatherings are my favorite, but make sure to factor in the weather. You don’t need to become a meteorologist, though; get a weather app that’s powered by the easiest weather API. Why? Well, the simpler the technology, the more precise it’ll be, because there’s a smaller chance of errors if it isn’t complicated. And that’s what you want – accuracy, not errors.
Makes perfect sense. But anyway, you want to be sure about the weather.
You don’t want to find yourself surprised by a sudden rainpour mid-dinner.
Now, speaking of that dinner.
Here are a couple of ways to make your gathering truly memorable:
Handmade Centerpieces
Your centerpiece will be the first thing people will see, so you want it to be nice, but you also don’t need to spend half of your paycheck on it.
Skip the florist and get mason jars or old bottles from the recycling. Then, get a few seasonal flowers from your garden or the grocery store; they’ll look amazing in either mason jars or bottles.
If you want the vibe to be super cozy, get some wood slices and set a few candles on them. And remember to keep your centerpieces low enough so you can all see each other across the table.
Personalized Drink Markers
Nobody wants to play the ‘Where’s my drink?’ game the entire night, and handmade drink markers solve that issue in such a lovely way. You can paint little wooden clothespins or tie charms onto the stems. My favorite way to do this is wrapping pretty washi tape around the base of each glass.
Match the markers to your theme, like shells if it’s a summer party or little pinecones if it’s winter.
DIY Lighting
You want it to be warm and inviting, not bright and screechy. You probably already have what you need to create a magical glow.
Throw fairy lights into a bunch of mason jars and you have instant lanterns. I know, I know, this is very Pinterest-y, but trust me, it looks absolutely beautiful. If you’re outside, paper bag luminaries (with safe, battery-operated candles only!) along the path will look incredible.
It’s a simple trick, but it makes the whole place feel so soft and special.
Creative Table Settings
Everyone gathers around the table, so you want to make it interesting.
No fancy china needed, just one or two handmade things. You can make napkin rings from twisted twine or stamped paper. You can also write everyone’s name on a smooth stone as place cards.
Customized Serving Boards and Trays
Cheese and crackers will be delicious no matter what, but it’ll feel more impressive on a board you made yourself. Get a plain wooden cutting board and wood-burn a simple design into it. If that’s not really your thing, you can also paint a fun pattern on the edge of the tray.
The moment you put it out, you’ll start hearing those “Wait, you made this?!” comments, and those are great conversation starters.
Handmade Party Favors
I love it when my guests get to take a little something home as a token of my appreciation for them coming to the gathering. My best advice is to keep it simple and make sure it’s something people will actually use and that won’t become clutter. A small jar of your famous spice mix is a good example of this, or maybe a packet of seeds from your garden.
Please don’t make it into this big, expensive thing; it’s supposed to be a little thoughtful memory, not an extravagant present.
Conclusion
Don’t pressure yourself into creating an event that looks like it belongs in a magazine.
Your goal is to let people know you truly care about them, so what you’re working towards is a feeling. So what if the painted tray wobbles a little? Are napkin rings identical? Who even cares?
Perfection is not the point anyway.
