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Blue linens on table with menus and table settings. Jars of crayons, glow sticks, and sunglasses are on the table.
A Well Crafted Party

Celestial Themed 40th Birthday Bash

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Fortune favors those in their forties. Or, at least, that is what I’m telling myself.

My 40th Birthday Bash was inspired by the moon, stars, and the future itself. This sparkly evening was filled with family, friends, fantastic food, and so much fun. While I obviously think this makes for a great 40th birthday theme, I hope it serves to inspire for a celestial themed wedding, New Year’s Eve bash, or maybe even a birthday of a much smaller number. My son’s first birthday was a Twinkle Twinkle Little Star theme and many of these elements would have fit right in!

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Collage of four photos depicting party decor with blues, golds, silvers, and moon and star decor

When I walked into the venue, an octagonal barn in the Portland-area that was over one hundred years old, I knew I wanted to host my party there. I had been to a wedding in the space previously, and knew I liked the menus from many times eating at McMenamins restaurants. Seeing the old wood and lights in the space made me instantly think of twinkly stars and my theme was set.

Moon and Star Party Decor

While I love creating gorgeous floral bouquets and often share tips on how to do so, this time I wanted something that would be a little more long lasting. I opted to purchase 5 glowing moon lights* and strands of star fairy lights* for centerpieces at each of the main tables.

The venue was really so beautiful that I didn’t go overboard with the decor. I used plenty of fairy lights*, star garland* (some of it cut up and placed around on the tables), and printable items that served as decor, activities, and party favors to boot.

Shaking it up a bit, the kids table had a slightly different vibe than the other tables. It was decorated with the same menus and ornaments, but instead of moons it had three large glass canisters on it. One canister held glow sticks*, one held crayons and markers, and the other held star sunglasses*. I designed star themed printable coloring sheets for the kids to color throughout the evening.

Party Favors That Do Double Duty

Each seat had a circular menu that listed out the evening’s meal and a custom hand-lettered ceramic star ornament that I created with each of the guest’s name. This served as both a place setting sign as well as a party favor.

I like giving gifts on my birthday. So one party favor would simply not do. But, I do like favors that do double duty! Similar to the place setting favors, my next favor did a job beyond being a fun guest takeaway item. We set up a small photo booth using star garland and a fairy light curtain*. We placed my instax mini camera*, instax mini printer*, and plenty of film* on a table with signage encouraging guests to take photos for themselves and for me.

Guests took a photo for me to keep and placed it in a desktop photo calendar*. They also took one for themselves and selected either a photo frame magnet* or keychain* to take home with them. I added star charms* to my keychains to keep in theme.

The next double duty party favors are probably some of my favorite designs I’ve ever created. As soon as I had the thought to do a celestial theme, I thought of the future and what it might bring.

I came of age in the early 90s so Cootie Catchers, or Fortune Tellers, were all the rage. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how to fold one of those— instantly knew I wanted to design one for the party. Along with the fortune tellers I created Decision Wheels for guests to take home. Both served as activities during the party, party decor, and as take home gifts.

Portland-area DJ & Party Entertainment

My party favors were not the only thing playing many parts in this party!

Our DJ was a wonderful find on the site Gigsalad. I discovered this site a few parties ago and have gotten quotes and hired before from the site. I was so pleased to get a responsive and engaged quote back from Troy, DJ Burn PDX. He not only was a great DJ who brought a wonderful set up and prepared music to my requests. But, he also set up karaoke for us— we love Karaoke! And he did a wonderful juggling show during dinner.

My kids absolutely loved him and he kept the party going. He didn’t know I had a blog and doesn’t know I’m writing this now. But, I very much recommend him and wish him nothing but success.

Here is to turning forty and hoping that fortune does indeed favor those in their forties! Cheers!

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overhead shot of spiced cranberry negroni cocktail with holiday baubles
A Well Crafted Pantry

Spiced Cranberry Negroni Holiday Cocktail

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Sometimes that eggnog and hot buttered rum just doesn’t hit the spot. When you want to serve a cocktail that feels like the holidays, but isn’t one of the classics you always see, try this spiced cranberry negroni for Holiday a twist on an Italian classic… and something your guests probably haven’t tried recently. The flavors of a classic cranberry sauce spiced with orange zest and cinnamon is paired with the bitter notes of clove, cinnamon, and citrus of campari, the freshness of gin, and depth of sweet vermouth to create a truly interesting holiday sipper.

Holiday cocktail in christmas bauble with pink and red decor

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I know that the bitter notes of campari can be difficult for some, but hear me out on this drink. While a traditional negroni has either devoted followers or haters, this twist on the original offers a more balanced approach to appeal to the holiday guest. It may even be a way to convert some people over to join you for some amazing aperol spritz and negronis next summer when you host your next cocktail party.

Spiced Cranberry Syrup

Before you can make this cocktail you have to first make the spiced cranberry syrup. The best part of this recipe, is you have some tasty spiced cranberry sauce in the end as well!

Makes approximately 1 cup of syrup

  • 1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries rinsed and de-stemmed (16 oz) – you can substitute frozen, just decrease the water by 1/4 cup
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 zest of orange

Directions: Put all ingredients in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring so that sugar does not burn, until sugar is fully dissolved and berries have cooked and are bursting. Smash the berries with a spoon and continue to cook until liquid has reduced some and will coat the spoon slightly. This takes around 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool. Separate the liquid from the berries. Keep the cranberry sauce to use for a holiday appetizer. Reserve the liquid to use in the Negroni cocktail or other holiday drinks!

Cocktail in glass with holiday baubles

A Holiday Twist on the Negroni: Spiced Cranberry Negroni Cocktail

Makes 1 cocktail (scroll below for a batch recipe)

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz spiced cranberry syrup

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker* over ice and shake. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass or over a large cube of ice* in a rocks glass—your choice!

Batch Holiday Cocktail Recipe: Spiced Cranberry Negroni Cocktail

Makes 6 cocktails

  • 6 oz gin
  • 6 oz campari
  • 6 oz sweet vermouth
  • 6 oz cranberry juice
  • 6 oz spiced cranberry syrup
  • 3 oz water

Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher and chill in fridge. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass or over a large cube of ice in a rocks glass—your choice!

TIP: I’ll be pouring these into ornaments and chilling in fridge. Guests can then pour the chilled drink directly from their ornament and into their glass! I use the clear ornaments* that can be cleaned out with soap and water. I remove the metal insert and use plastic wrap to seal the bauble and cover with the metal cap. However, I’m sure that some companies are making these baubles with caps on them just for this use now-a-days, I just haven’t used them before!

Holiday cocktail overhead shot with pink and red decor

This year, instead of having the boring old-standbys for your holiday party, spice things up with this Spiced Cranberry Negroni Cocktail. Suddenly your party will be more interesting and intellectual. Your guests will agree that you are the absolute best and no one else will have a holiday party like yours. I am sure of it. 😉

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friendship bracelet wine tags
A Well Crafted Party

Holiday Crafting: Friendship Bracelet Wine Glass Tags

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In the good year 2023, the year of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and The Barbie Movie, I say… lean in to the fun, the sparkle, the pink, and the friendship bracelets. Don’t just stop at the viral friendship bracelet Christmas tree garland (genius I say) but go ahead and keep on stringing the nostalgia to add fun sayings to other holiday essentials. Namely, the stemware.

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To say that this is a tutorial would be a stretch of the word to be sure. I simply found a friendship bracelet kit and used my stemware to estimate the sizing for each individual piece. I’ll give my best tips and links below, but this craft can be done with the simple kits found at your local craft store or more elaborate beads. You can use charms or words to make your bracelets unique. But, the key to this craft comes down to using stretchy string, tying a strong knot, and keeping each piece unique enough that it can identify a glass.

Wine Tag Friendship Bracelet Sizing

For my upcoming party I have two types of glasses that I want to help guests keep straight. One is a stemless champagne flute and the other a stemmed coupe glass. This required me to make two slightly different sized bracelets. I made a slightly larger bracelet (around 2.25 inches around) for the stemless glass so that it could go down far enough to not impede drinking but far enough up to not be annoying to the glass holder. The stemware had to be big enough to stretch over the bottom of the glass, but not large enough to get snagged or fall off. They ended up being more like 1.50 inches around.

TIP: When cutting your string go ahead and cut more than you need and measure to the glass often. It will make it easier to hold and to knot. You can then cut off the excess string.

Holiday Wine Tag Sayings

This was the most fun! Since these are much smaller than traditional friendship bracelets I had to stick with one holiday-centric word for each tag. Guests will be able to remember the word and keep track of their glass.

Suggested Holiday Tags: (This is not an exhaustive list– there are SO many options!)

  • Holly
  • Jolly
  • Santa
  • Elf
  • Joy
  • Merry
  • Bright
  • HoHoHo
  • Christmas
  • Noel
  • Star
  • Gift
  • Snow
  • Carol
  • Cheer
  • Bells

Holiday Friendship Bracelet Wine Tag Resources

I grabbed my beads on a holiday clearance rack while out shopping, but I’ve shared some resources below. I stuck to red and white for my colorscheme, because I want to use them throughout the years and tend to pull these two colors in most of my Christmas themes. However, you can mix it up to match your own holiday decor!

Dare I say that this would make for a fun gift as well? Or an added pizzazz to a cute gift of thrifted stemware? I’d find it charming!

May your drinks stay with their intended this holiday season and may this season of friendship bracelets, sparkling outfits, and powerful women live well into the new year!

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