The best holiday parties have a little something to do, and a wreath night is my favorite something. Every guest makes a wreath, every guest leaves with a wreath, and the host (you, genius) gets a house full of happy makers and zero pressure to perform. All it takes is a table, a few friends or family, and one DIY Wreath Kit per person at $55 each. Here is how I would host it, Fort Lauderdale style.
Why a wreath night works
Most of us say we want a handmade holiday and then run out of December. A wreath night fixes that in one evening. The kits are made to order here in Fort Lauderdale and come packed with coastal materials and clear instructions, so nobody needs craft experience, a supply closet, or a single clue where to start. Grandparents, teens, and self declared “not crafty” uncles all finish the night with a wreath they are genuinely proud to hang.
It is also gloriously flexible. Four people around a kitchen table works. Ten around a lanai works. The making stretches or shrinks to fit the group.
What you need
- One kit per maker. Order a DIY Wreath Kit for each guest (and one for you, do not skip yourself). Each kit brings the wreath base, coastal materials, and step by step instructions.
- A table with elbow room. About two feet of table per person keeps everyone comfortable. A washable tablecloth or a few sheets of kraft paper make cleanup easy and look charming while they are at it.
- A few household helpers. Scissors for everyone, a couple of pencils for marking ribbon, and a small bowl per seat for tiny pieces. That is the whole supply list.
- A door or wall hook for the finale. Finished wreaths need a stage for photos.
Set the table before anyone arrives
Lay each kit out at its place like a dinner setting, with the instructions on top. Add a little name card if you are feeling fancy. Put shared materials in the middle of the table where everyone can reach, keep a small trash bowl at each end for clippings, and cue up a holiday playlist. When guests walk in and see their station waiting, the night already feels special, and you have not even served a snack yet.
Snacks and sips, all easy
Craft nights run on grazing food, nothing that needs a knife, a fork, and full attention. My go to lineup:
- The comfort food anchor. A big pot of my Best Damn Vegan Mac and Cheese holds happily on the stove, feeds makers between bow tying rounds, and the sauce can be made days ahead.
- Bright sips. Sparkling water with orange and lime slices, lemonade with fresh mint, and a little hot cocoa bar for dessert. Festive glasses make everything feel like a party.
- Sweet bites. Cookies and clementines within reach of the craft table keep the energy up through bow tying time.
A simple run of the night
- 6:00 PM, doors open. Snacks out, music on, kits waiting at each seat.
- 6:30 PM, dinner. Mac and cheese first. Glue guns and greenery mix better with full stomachs.
- 7:00 PM, making begins. Read the first instruction step out loud together, then let everyone find their own pace. Wander, admire, help with bows.
- 8:15 PM, finishing touches. Bows on, final fluff, and a gentle reminder that handmade means perfectly imperfect.
- 8:30 PM, the group photo. Hang every wreath on doors, hooks, and chair backs, and take the photo. This is the moment everyone talks about later.
Send them home like a pro
Slip each wreath into a large bag or let guests carry them out with pride (most choose pride). Before everyone scatters, share one care tip from my guide on how to keep a wreath fresh in Florida heat, humidity, and salt air: hang it in shade, out of the sprinklers, and it will glow all season.
Ready to host your own? Grab your kits on the order page, or browse shop the collections if you would like a finished wreath of your own to hang beside your guests’ creations. No pressure, just bring your favorite people. The wreaths handle the rest.
Leave a Reply