How to Host a Craft Afternoon at Home

Inspired by a year of hosting wonderful craft afternoons. I’m here to share how to host a craft afternoon at home as we head into a season of gathering and making. If you are planning on hosting a Christmas (or any other season) workshop read on for my advice on making an afternoon of crafting a memorable one.

If there’s one thing I consider myself an expert in, it’s hosting a craft workshop. Not showing off but also, showing off. My workshops have been called dreamy and soul enhancing. For some, my monthly workshops have become part of their well-being practice. When it comes to hosting crafting events at home, I am your lady!

The best thing about Christmas is it’s ability to bring those we love closer together*. If you’ve decided to host an afternoon of crafting and catching up in the run up to Christmas here are some of  my top tips to running a super afternoon.

Clear the everyday. Grab a basket or bag and remove anything that’s ‘normal’ . Washing, homework, bills, the pile of stuff that doesn’t have a home. Stash it somewhere out of sight, for now. If there’s no where to hide it, use a photogenic basket/bag rather than a Lidl bag for life. It creates a better visual! Superficial but true.

Lay the table. I often use a mix different tables to seat everyone, none of them are good looking. I ALWAYS put a nice tablecloth on for every workshop. If its going to be a messy one, I’ll use a patterned. If its a clean one I’ll use a plain version. I like to keep them colour co-ordinated and matching the craft we’ll be undertaking.

Give everyone a seat and the materials equipment they’ll need to get started. This has happened a few times, there’ll always be one that takes a little more than is polite. Before each workshop I measure out the same basic materials for everyone. This could be bunches of flowers when making wreaths of fabric bundles when sewing. Each person starts with the same amount. If using beads or small ‘bits’ I like to add a small vintage saucer to mark a persons place and give them somewhere to keep their treasures.

Also on each place setting I make sure everyone has their own scissors/snips/ wires to get start started. As a teacher it unnerves me when I’m doing my intro demo and I can see minds wandering and hands creeping to the material pile. It makes me feel more secure knowing everyone has enough in front of them.

Add extras to the centre of the table. Once everyone has their starting pile add additional materials along the centre of the table. I want to create visual impact when my guests arrive, this is part of the experience I offer. If you can put all the additional materials into baskets, vases and bowls where they can be seen and look lovely. Add enough so everyone can see but not so much it gets overwhelming. If its a big floral workshop, I’ll have additional flowers and foliage in buckets at the sides of the tables so I can fill up as needed.

Every workshop I coordinate my vases to the tablecloth, tablecloth to flowers. It seems a lot but it really creates a wow moment.

If time is tight you don’t have to worry too much, simply removing items from plastic packaging or unrolling a few lengths of ribbon makes a huge difference to have the table feels. Some need to see what they’re working with before they start, others can be too polite to open packets or some packets are difficult to open which causes frustration.

Make some examples. Not everyone shares the same crafty gene. Make a few examples of the craft theme if you can, This gives everyone a guide as to what the final make should look like. It also helps gauge how much you’ll need for the project. If for example you’re making pom poms, give everyone enough wool to complete one or two finished pom poms. Any extra is a bonus.

Finish with the details. Now your space is clear and table set it’s time to add a few little flourishes. As a minimum, if its safe, light a few candles. Candle light makes everything instantly cosy.

At Christmas especially, I try to channel my inner Nigella. Adding a nudge, wink and as many fairylights as I own to every gathering. I’ll also decorate my workbench and cupboard tops with the best of the seasons flowers and foliage. It really brings everything together.

A final word on hosting. Some gatherings will be gentle and quiet others can be happy chaos. When things don’t go as I envisioned I try (after a bit of processing) to not take things personally. As long as everyone leaves with a smile on their face, what happens in the middle doesn’t matter so much. Gathering and making together is such a special process I would encourage you to dust off a tablecloth and go for it!

*If you don’t have a big gang of friends to gather, you’ll always find friendly faces at my workshops. I’m hosting an online gift wrapping masterclass on Sunday 22nd November 3 – 4pm (GMT) and have spaces at my Essex based wreath and garland workshops on Sunday 13th December. I would LOVE to host you. All the workshop details here.