beverage station fun ~ holiday week

Our week of Christmas cheer continues ~ it’s day four!  My blogging friends and I are bringing you something new every day this week. Today we’re sharing craft ideas. Uh-oh. Yesterday Coco told us that she panicked a little over wreath day. Well, I felt the same about craft day. Coco created a darling wreath, so I’m hoping my craft projects have worked out too. The drink station set-ups all over Pinterest inspired today’s post of beverage station fun ~ oh, and there’s a craft too!

The Twelve Days of Christmas was a favorite carol when I was a kid ~ ok, you know you totally want to sing “FIVE GOLDEN RINGS” right now. Go ahead, I’ll wait. 🙂 And I love when I can use my Twelve Days tableware set from Crate & Barrel. The set was a Christmas gift from my family at least 15 years ago, yes that’s last century. I used it here in the beverage station set up and you’ll see it in tomorrow’s tablescape too!

For the Twelve Days theme, I cut numbers 1-12 from stick-on vinyl and put them on a dozen mason jars (some large, some small) to go along with my large mason jar beverage dispenser from Decor Steals.  (The beverage jar was a flash sale purchase, but they may come back.) I cut the numbers free-hand, wanting them to have a painted look, and also hold up to dishwashing.

I also cut out a dozen card tags and clipped them to ribbon strands in a wooden craft frame. Each tag has a quick thought like “give a hug” or “pet the dog” ~ simple, happy things. Guests get the tag that goes with their plate and drink ~ and hopefully a holiday smile.

This type of beverage set-up would work for an appetizer or dessert party. Plates and drinks here, with a separate set-up for food.

A dish of our family favorite Cheese Wafers and the Cheddar & Date cookies I shared on Monday are available for a quick bite.

Ok, here’s the craft! As there are mostly hard surfaces in this set-up, I wanted something to soften up the look ~ and I loved the rag garland I saw in this photo recently on Coco’s blog. A rainy Sunday at Bluwatermom’s seemed a good day to give it a try. A few pieces from mom’s fabric stash, torn into strips and tied on to a braided cord. I tied until I used up all the fabric, and called it done!

Swagged over the frame, it’s softens the look without adding glitz or glitter. And who knows how else I may use it ~ there’s a ton of inspiration on Pinterest for rag garland. Or maybe I should just ask Coco ~ she’s sure to have some good ideas!

Check out more craft ideas from my friends Vicki & Jennifer at 2 Bees in a Pod, Coco at The Crowned Goat, Lisa at Concord Cottage and Angie at The Altered Past. They are crafting mavens!

Bringing you something new from each blog, every day this week. Tomorrow it’s tablescapes and mantles – see you back here tomorrow!