Valentine’s Day
How to Make Individual Valentine’s Candy Boards
Valentine's and Mardi Gras fall right before my twins' birthday, so because I'm busy planning their birthday party, I tend to skip those holidays, or throw something together for our family at the last minute. But this year, we were scouting Sprouts for the grazing...
Freebie Friday: 21 Non-Candy Valentine’s Card Free Printables
My girls might be aghast at the idea of a non-candy Valentine, but since they are still eating their Christmas candy, it seems like a great idea to me! Here are my favorite non-candy Valentine's free printables. Whoopie Cushion Valentine From Smashed Peas &...
Mini Party Plan: How to Plan a Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Party
So, it's -- um, February 6. And Valentine's Day is just days away. So close in fact, that when I shopped this weekend, I saw more Easter than Valentine's decor! But I still want to pull off a little Valentine's celebration for my family. So that means I need a to...
My Parties: How to StYle a Valentine’s Day Teddy Bear Bar Cart Party + Free Printables
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I escaped my house for a little antiquing a few weeks back and stumbled upon a pink bar cart that I didn't know I needed. I stayed strong and left the bar cart at the store, but not...
My Parties: How to Host a Brown Paper Packages Tied Up In String Valentine’s Day Party
For years, I've had the idea of a brown paper packages party in the back of my mind. I think it's a combination of how much my girls loved the UPS truck when they were little -- or, the "PS truck" as they called it -- and knowing that nothing makes a kid happier than...
Freebie Friday: 28 Free Valentine’s Printable Banners
Valentine's Day is such a fun time to decorate a little for the holiday. I try to do a little Valentine's Day breakfast with a few small gifts, and I've got to get busy with those plans soon. So I've started searching out free Valentine's printables, and today I'm...
St. Patrick’s Day
My Parties: How to Set a Simple St. Patrick’s Day Table
One of the reasons I like investing in reusable party supplies is just that -- I get to build a party stash and reuse my favorite items. So at times like this, when I'm not going out shopping for St. Patrick's Day party supplies, it's great to be able to pull from my...
Tutorial: How to Arrange Easy Rainbow Flowers for St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick's Day is one of those holidays that I want to celebrate, but don't want to work too hard at, you know? So I had a brainstorm for these easy rainbow flowers for St. Patrick's Day. All you need are bud vases and a bouquet of grocery store flowers. Total...
My Parties: How to Style a Simply Irish St. Patrick’s Day Bar Cart Party + Free Printable
I don’t know about your kids, but my girls are officially obsessed with the Simply Southern brand. Maybe it is a local thing. If you haven’t seen it, think preppy illustrated t-shirts. The logo is a hair bow, or maybe it’s a bow tie. Anyway, it made me think: why...
My Parties: How to Serve a Simple St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast
I think it's fair to say we've gotten to know each other over the past 2 1/2 years here at Double the Fun Parties. So for those of you who've been around all this time (thank you!) and for those of you who are new (welcome!), you know I like to throw some big, blow...
Freebie Friday: St. Patrick’s Day Free Printables
I've got a St. Patrick's Day breakfast in my head, and I'm wondering if I can make it a reality this weekend so I can share it early with you? Cross your fingers! Here are some free St. Patrick's Day printables to help you celebrate. For even more St. Patrick’s Day...
Recipe: Lucky Charms Treats Recipe from Bloom Online
These Lucky Charms Treats from Jenny of Bloom Designs are looking magically delicious to me! A variation on Rice Crispy Treats, these would be fun to make with your kids or as St. Patrick's Day classroom snacks. Lucky Charms Treats A variation on Rice Krispies Treats...
Easter
How to Make Easter Bunny Cupcakes
I am all about an easy, DIY party dessert. These Easter bunny cupcakes are totally easy, and very much a DIY. It's great to have a few DIYs up your sleeve to help minimize your party costs. If you've splurged on a cake or decorated sugar cookies, your party budget...
My Parties: How to Style a Bunnies & Bows Easter Tablescape
My best rule for party styling is: use what you have. That's just what I did for this bunnies and bows Easter tablescape: I leaned into what I already own and only bought a few new items. Here's hoping this Easter tablescape will inspire you to create your own lovely...
How to create an Easter centerpiece from grocery store flowers
One of my party goals has been to improve my flower arranging skills. I put together this Easter centerpiece from grocery store flowers and I’m walking you through this easy DIY. Flowers can be so expensive and while I love them, it’s hard to spend so much money on...
How to Make an Easy Easter Cake
This easy Easter Cake is decorated with cookies and could not be any simpler. Step 1: buy cake, cookies and frosting. Step 2: affix cookies to cake. I've got a few more details for you below. While you could certainly make the cake and cookies for this "recipe" ......
My Parties: How to Style a Pretty Pastel Easter Children’s Table
When I think about Easter this year, I keep thinking about How the Grinch Stole Christmas: "He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming! It came!Somehow or other, it came just the same!" And that's how I feel about Easter. We may not shop for new dresses or be able to go...
Tutorial: How to Make An Easter egg garland and backdrop
For my Easter bunny buffet, Baby B and I made two craft projects -- both easy and inexpensive: an Easter egg garland and backdrop. If you suffer as I do from WAAAAAY too many plastic Easter eggs, these are the projects for you! Plastic Easter egg garland I originally...
Tutorial: How to make shark cupcakes
After I made my Shark Candy Kababs to celebrate Shark Week, I still had a ton of gummy sharks and sour belts left over. Apparently, I can’t throw anything away, and have no fondant or cupcake frosting skills, but fortunately, inspiration hit and I decided to turn my...
Mini party plan: How to plan a shark birthday party
Our family is a mixed bag when it comes to shark fandom. My husband has never quite gotten over the movie Jaws, and maintains a healthy respect for sharks. Baby B is fascinated by them, and wanted to become a marine biologist for a while. Baby A and I are big fans of...
DIY Shark Party Ideas: How to Make Shark Treats, Shark Soda & Shark Favors
Full disclosure: I freaking LOVE the Sharknado series. It is so exquisitely dumb. You don't have to be interested in sharks or tornadoes, because the movie revels in its dumbness. One of my girls loves sharks and one loves tornados, and I loved Beverly Hills 90210...
Freebie Friday: 16 Free Shark Printables
I've been celebrating Shark Week all week on the blog, so it's only fitting to close things out with free shark party printables. (And don't miss these posts: Shark Fin Soda, Shark Tooth Rice Krispies Treats, Shark Favor Balls and Shark Chum Jell-O.) From Sea of...
Shark Week: How to Make Shark Chum Jell-O
Bear with me now: this one is theoretically gross but actually yummy. And it makes me giggle. I do girl parties all the time, and sometimes, it's just fun to dive into something boy-ish and grody. And so I give you ... shark chum Jell-O! What is chum? (Those are words...
Shark Week: How to Craft Shark Party Favor Balls
Have you ever seen party favor balls? They are crepe paper balls formed around itty bitty party favors. Your party guests unroll and unroll and unroll to reveal as many little surprises as you want to wrap. I just made my first favor ball -- Shark Week-style, of...
Independence Day
Quick & Easy 4th of July Saltine Cracker Toffee Recipe (With Sprinkles!)
I'm not sure how Christmas Crack got it's name, but I could for sure eat it all year long. So why not? Here's how to make 4th of July Saltine Cracker Toffee. All you need to do is switch to white chocolate chips and add patriotic sprinkles. Amazon link in this...
How to Make 4th of July Star Wands
If you saw my Stars & Stripes 4th of July tablescape, you got a peek at my 4th of July star wands craft. My girls had fun decorating these at the dining table, and I think they'd be fun for making with your kids. Can't you see them waving these wands at your...
My Parties: How to Style a Stars & Stripes 4th of July Party
Today I’m sharing some 4th of July family party inspiration with you. This is how we set our table for Memorial Day this year, but everything we did would work just as well on the 4th of July. Since this was just for our small family, I kept things pretty simple and...
How to Make Patriotic Layered Jell-O
If you're looking for a no-bake dessert in the heat of the summer, give layered Jell-O a try. It takes several hours to assemble, but most of that time is just waiting for the Jell-O to set up in the fridge. You can even make your Jell-O "fancy" by pouring it on an...
How to Make Rhubarb Strawberry Tarts
Growing up in Minnesota, we grew rhubarb in our backyard garden, and rhubarb pie was a summer staple. So I had in my mind to create a version of my Grandma's rhubarb pie for the 4th of July, but we can't find her recipe. I swear we made it just last year, so it has to...
Freebie Friday: 16 Free 4th of July Sparkler Holder Printables
What are you doing for the 4th of July? Are you styling a dessert table? Setting a cute dining table? Or just taking it easy? As it turns out, we'll be going to the mountains so I think we'll be able to avoid the fireworks that terrify our poor dog so much. But, the...
Halloween
How to Make No-Bake Ghost Brownie Bites
I’ll never tire of excuses to eat brownie bites. Here’s an easy way to dress up brownies for Halloween: no-bake ghost brownie bites! Bonus: the kids can help. Extra bonus: no baking! 1. Pick up brownie bites and white canned frosting from the store. I used Pillsbury...
How to Make Easy Halloween brownies with candy tops
Are you a frosting person? I definitely am, but we are a house divided (on frosting). So I hit on the idea of baking candy corn, candy eyes, and sprinkles into brownie bites to make easy Halloween brownies. The trick is in the timing, and you may have to play with...
How to Style a Halloween Skeleton Tablescape
If getting your kids to eat dinner on Halloween night is a struggle for you the way it always was for me, set a table your kids can't resist. Posable skeletons are pretty inexpensive, and they make a fun and unexpected centerpiece for your Halloween tablescape....
How to Style a Skeleton & Gravestone Halloween Candy Table
Back in September, I published an early Halloween candy table and now that Halloween is almost here, I wanted to try the same idea in a second style. Mainly, I wanted to play with my posable skeleton. Here's how to style a Halloween candy table, skeleton style. This...
Recipe: Easy Brie, Pecan and Fig Halloween Appetizer
Last weekend, I was invited to a neighbor's Halloween-themed girls' night out, which was so fun. We were all asked to bring appetizers. You know the advice to never try a new recipe for a dinner party? I threw caution to the wind and dreamed up a new recipe for the...
How to Make a Halloween Char-boo-terie Board by Party Pinching
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome my friend Norene from Party Pinching to the blog. Party Pinching is just what it sounds like: easy-to-execute, budget-friendly ideas to make your parties pop. Her blog and Instagram are amazing for cute party food ideas. Today, Norene...
Thanksgiving
Guest Party: How to Style a Lush and Natural Fall Tablescape
One of my favorite party collaborators, Brandi from Barefeet Imagery, is our guest hostess today! Brandi is sharing how to style a lush and natural fall tablescape. It's just right for a relaxed but luxe Thanksgiving or any fall dinner party. And even if you're just...
How to Make Pumpkin Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies — Perfect for a Cookie Exchange
It’s amazing where trying to re-organize your pantry will lead you. Pulling everything out made me realize I still have three cans of pumpkin that I had to do something with. So I turned to an old favorite recipe, pumpkin gingerbread thumbprint cookies. This recipe...
Tutorial: How to Make Thanksgiving Leaf Placecards
I made these leaf placecards for our Thanksgiving dinner, and the process is so quick and simple. I’m sharing the tutorial with you today. I've also got a template that you can easily customize using Canva. Here's how to make Thanksgiving leaf placecards for your...
How to Style A Brown & White Thanksgiving Tablescape
When the holidays roll around, I like to try to do a little something new with each holiday tablescape — without spending a fortune on all new table settings. I’ve found the trick is to use about 70% of what I have, and then add in a few new things. Bonus points if...
My Parties: How To Host a Friendsgiving Pie Party
I've wanted to host a pie baking party for my daughters and their friends for a few years now. This party was delayed when Baby A got sick and then again when Covid hit last year. So we were awfully excited to finally get to host our Friendsgiving Pie Party. The idea...
How to Style a Thanksgiving Table with Pumpkins, Leaves & candles
Last year, when we couldn't have Thanksgiving dinner with family, my sister-in-law invited us to use her mountain home for the weekend. It was so good to get out of our house at that point in the pandemic. There is something so relaxing about being even an hour away...
Christmas
How to Make a Simple Christmas Ornament Garland
If you love the look of the Pottery Barn mercury glass Christmas ornament garlands, but don't feel like spending $50 for one, I've got you covered. These garlands are so simple to make! You can get everything you need at Walmart or an Amazon for a fraction of the...
How to Make Pumpkin Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies — Perfect for a Cookie Exchange
It’s amazing where trying to re-organize your pantry will lead you. Pulling everything out made me realize I still have three cans of pumpkin that I had to do something with. So I turned to an old favorite recipe, pumpkin gingerbread thumbprint cookies. This recipe...
How to Make Grinch Nutter Butter Cookies
Tis the season to make Christmas cookies (and also do ALL the other things). So let's make cookies easier! Here's how to make Grinch Nutter Butter Cookies. They are fun for your How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie night, classroom treats, or… if you have a special...
How to host a christmas cookie decorating party
Each year since the girls were elementary-school age, we've decorated Christmas cookies with their godmother. We've tried this a variety of ways -- including baking and decorating in the same day (whew! don't do it!) -- and I think we've finally got Christmas cookies...
How to Make Grinch Soda Floats
Tis the season of special treats, and this past week, I couldn't stop singing "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch..." I don't know why the Grinch has captured my attention, but it seemed only right to combine treats + the Grinch, which led me to making Grinch Soda Floats....
How to Have a Stress-Free Christmas
I know you’re thinking “stress-free” and “Christmas season” in the same sentence?! That can’t be! If you’re anything like me, there is always so much I want to do and make for Christmas, plus traditions to share with family around the holidays. My to-do list is so...
New Year’s Eve
My Parties: “Ring Out Wild Bells” New Year’s Eve Party + Free Printables
Like everyone else, I cannot wait for this year to end. I wish that at the stroke of midnight, everything would be magically better. Even though I know that can't happen, I still want to celebrate. This seems like the perfect year to re-create a New Year's Eve...
Freebie Friday: 47 New Year’s Eve Free Printables
I hope our New Year's Week has been helpful and maybe inspirational for you. I'd love to know if you try any of the ideas you've found here for your family's New Year's Eve party. Today, I'm capping everything off with a round-up of my favorite New Year's Eve free...
Tutorial: How to Make a New Year’s Eve Party Horn Garland
Sometimes I'm not sure where my ideas come from, and this New Year's Eve party horn garland is one of those ideas. But, I'm happy to say it couldn't be easier, and so I made it my one craft for my New Year's Eve movie night party. The best part is that if you already...
My Parties: How to Plan a Family New Year’s Eve Party Movie Night
We are definitely a quiet New Year's Eve at home kind of family. But at the same time, we want New Year's Eve to be more special than just a night where we stay up late. So this year, I started planning ahead so we could have a New Year's Eve party that's fun for us...
33 New Year’s Eve Party Appetizer Ideas
In our New Year's Eve Party Planning Challenge, we touched on serving appetizers and desserts at your party. But I really wanted to return to the topic of New Year's Eve party appetizers, and go into that in a little more depth. How much do you need to serve? How do...
Mini Party Plan: How to Plan a New Year’s Eve Party
I hope you've been having fun with the party planning challenges we've been working on this year. I know I've enjoyed putting them together for you! So if you're in the mood to celebrate New Year's Eve, but you have NO time ... can't imagine why... I've created a...
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