An (in)RL Craft & Chocolate Party!
Hey everyone! How was your weekend? Mine was packed with events and I’m happily exhausted from hosting a few gatherings. I always say if you must be tired, it’s better to be tired from something fun and meaningful. I work hard, but I enjoy most of what I do, so it rarely feels like work.
So what kept me busy this weekend? I’m glad you asked.
Some wonderful friends from my church organized a Craft and Chocolate Party for women in our area. Yes—there was a chocolate fountain. It was exactly that kind of party: sweet, cozy, and social.
The event took place as part of the (in)RL conference hosted by (in)courage. We held a local meet-up at our church, Voyage, which was our first real community event as a women’s group. We had a lot of fun planning and even more fun at the gathering. The whole evening felt warm and welcoming.
What did our meet-up look like? I should warn you: I’m a home decor blogger who instinctively photographs details rather than people. Please forgive the photo imbalance—there were plenty of lovely attendees and plenty of conversation. People were the heart of this event, but first, here are the details that helped everyone relax and enjoy themselves.
I love creating pretty party details, but I always keep things simple.
If preparations become stressful, I stop enjoying the process. A fantastic group of women helped brainstorm, set up, and host the event, which made it so much easier and more enjoyable. That’s the beauty of community—working together for a shared goal. I’m so grateful for their help.
I lean on a few simple themes and let the event come together from there. My aim is always to make a party fun and memorable by appealing to the senses and providing activities that keep people talking and engaged.
For this party I focused on a cheerful spring color palette.
The colors appeared in everything from polka-dot paper plates and Tazo tea packets to fruity cold drinks, springy tablecloths from TJ Maxx, and fabric scraps for making flower pins. Mason jars of tulips added a fresh floral touch throughout the room.
To enhance the atmosphere, I lit two fruity-scented candles and, with the chocolate fountain bubbling, the room smelled delightfully indulgent. The food table offered a variety of tasty treats to dip and enjoy.
We created several stations: a beverage area using metal buckets filled with ice, a central food table with the chocolate fountain, and a crafting zone with tables stocked with scissors in mason jars, glue guns, needles, thread, buttons, and a variety of fabrics. We provided sample patterns and simple instructions for making fabric flower pins, though many guests happily improvised.
All the flower pins turned out adorable. I wish I’d captured photos of everyone wearing their creations, but once the event started we were busy mingling and crafting. Next time I’ll make sure someone is designated to take group photos.
This is the very first flower pin I made—my first ever—and I was proud of it. It took only a few minutes and turned out charmingly imperfect, which I think added personality. I don’t consider myself especially crafty, so completing a little handmade project felt like an accomplishment.
Everyone enjoyed picking fabrics, chatting while they worked, and sharing reactions to each other’s pins. The activity was perfect for the setting: approachable, social, and satisfying for beginners and experienced crafters alike. It became a real conversation starter and a highlight of the day.
I met several new friends—many attendees were friends of friends—and left feeling energized. It was one of the most delightful events I’ve hosted.
That was the whole point of (in)RL: building real connections in our local community.
Our small, new church benefited from this outreach, and our women’s group gained experience hosting a community event. The hostesses truly outdid themselves, and we’re excited about future gatherings to grow and strengthen our community.
Wish YOU could have been there to craft and eat chocolate with us—that would have made the day even more perfect! Maybe next time?
Coming up this week: more community activities and events. Stay tuned!