An (in)RL Craft & Chocolate Party!
Hey everyone! How was your weekend? Mine was packed with activities and I’m happily exhausted from hosting events, but I had so much fun. If you must be tired, it might as well be from something enjoyable and meaningful. I work hard, but because I love what I do, it hardly ever feels like work.
So what kept me busy this weekend? I’m glad you asked.
Some wonderful friends from church and I organized a Craft and Chocolate Party for women in our community. Yes—there was a chocolate fountain. It was that kind of gathering.
Our event was part of the (in)RL conference hosted by (in)courage. We held a local meet-up at our church, Voyage. This was our first major community event as a women’s group, and we were thrilled with how it turned out. Planning it was fun, and the event itself was even better.
What did the meet-up look like? A quick note: I’m a home decor blogger, so I tend to photograph details more than people. There were plenty of lovely attendees, though—the people were the heart of the event. First, here are the details of how the party came together to create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
I enjoy styling party details, but I keep things simple.
If I get too bogged down in preparation, I stop enjoying the process. I’m lucky to have a supportive group of ladies who helped with brainstorming and setup, which made the whole event smoother and more enjoyable. That’s what community is about—working together to make something delightful.
I like to pick a few simple themes and let them guide the décor. My goal is to make the party fun and memorable by engaging the senses and offering activities that encourage conversation and connection.
For this event I focused on a fresh spring color scheme.
Those colors showed up everywhere—from polka-dot paper plates to packets of Tazo tea, fruity cold drinks, springy tablecloths from TJ Maxx, fabric scraps for crafting flower pins, and mason jars filled with tulips and blooms. Two fruity candles added to the atmosphere, and with the chocolate fountain bubbling, the room smelled absolutely heavenly. The food table offered a variety of delicious treats for dipping and snacking.
We arranged several stations: a beverage area using metal buckets with ice for cold drinks, a central food table with the chocolate fountain, and a craft area with tables stocked with scissors in mason jars, glue guns, needles, thread, buttons, and a variety of fabrics. We provided patterns and instructions for making flower pins, but guests were welcome to improvise.
All the flower pins turned out adorable. I regret not taking more photos of everyone wearing their creations, but once the party began we were absorbed in crafting and conversation. Next time I’ll make sure someone is in charge of people photos.
This is the flower pin I made—my first ever. It took about four minutes and it’s delightfully imperfect, which gives it charm. I’m not naturally crafty, so finishing one felt like a small victory.
Guests enjoyed choosing fabrics and working side by side, chatting and admiring each other’s pins. The craft was simple enough for beginners yet satisfying to create, making it a perfect activity for the gathering.
I also made several new friends—many attendees were friends-of-friends—so the evening was a great way to expand our community. All in all, it turned out to be one of my favorite events.
And that was the whole point of (in)RL: building local connections and new friendships.
Our church is small and new, so this event helped us reach out to women in the area and strengthen our women’s group. We’re excited about future plans to keep our community growing and flourishing. The ladies who helped host were fantastic—true hostesses with the mostess—and I can’t wait to see what we do next.
We wished you could have joined us to craft and eat chocolate—maybe next time!
Coming up this week: more events and projects. Stay tuned!