Hosting a Craft Night with Friends: What to Make & Sip

Sipping good wine and creating something together with friends or family is a great way to spend an enjoyable evening. These craft and wine night ideas have something for everyone, whether you love making personalized candles, decorating wine glasses, or building DIY terrariums. Pair them with the right wines, and you have a recipe for the perfect night in.

Highlights:

• Stick to one small and simple project that everyone can complete in an evening and put their own creative twist on.

• Plan what you’ll need in advance, make sure you have enough drinks and snacks, and have clear instructions on hand for your chosen project.

• Great options include punch needle art, DIY terrariums, knitting and crochet projects, and homemade candles.

• Choose wines that complement the type of evening you’re planning. For example, pick easy-going reds for a cozy craft night, or Prosecco for a glam jewelry-making evening.

How to host a craft night at home

Hosting a sip and craft night doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s some tips to simplify the planning process and create a cosy night all your friends will remember!

1.     Stick to one theme

Don’t try to do too much in one evening. It’s better to pick one small project that everyone can work on at their own pace. This also helps keep costs down and helps everyone relax and unwind.

2.     Plan your craft supplies and refreshments ahead of time

Plan out everything you’ll need ahead of time and lay out your craft supplies so you’re ready to start when everyone arrives. Make sure you have enough snacks and drinks on hand. Consider asking friends to each bring a bottle of wine or their favorite snack to take the pressure off you. 

3.     Keep instructions simple

If you’re trying out a new craft or project, make sure everyone can follow along and create something of their own. Avoid complicated techniques and processes with many steps unless you’re all pro-crafters.

4.     Close the night with a show-and-tell

Remember when you were at school and everyone would show what they’d made? Invite your guests to show off their creations at the end of the night. It’s always fascinating to see how people create something completely unique using exactly the same materials and techniques.

The Best DIY crafts to do while drinking wine       

Here’s some easy crafts for adults that are simple enough to be enjoyed by everyone and give you something beautiful to take home with you:

●      Punch needle art is a beginner-friendly craft that uses a hollow needle and yarn. It looks really impressive, but it’s fast and easy to learn. You punch loops of thread through fabric to create a design of your choice. This is a great option for those new to crafting since the simplicity keeps frustration levels down and everyone can create something striking with minimal skill.

●      DIY terrariums are great for keen gardeners and plant lovers. Each guest creates their own mini garden inside a glass jar using soil, stones, moss, and tiny plants. If you’re feeling extra creative you could also make a macrame rope frame so you can hang your terrarium in your window. 

●      Knitting and Crochet are slightly more complex for new crafters, but you can create some really cool items like hats, scarves and blankets once you master the skills. If you’re new to knitting and crochet, start by picking a smaller, easier project like crocheted coasters or knitted headbands which you can complete in one evening.

●      Homemade candles are another fun and easy option that everyone can do. Why not encourage your guests to personalize theirs by adding their favorite scents, colors, and decorative elements like glitter and non-flammable dried flowers.

Choosing the best wine for craft night

When you’re pairing DIY and wine, start by matching the wine to the vibe. For example, if you’re planning a cosy evening making candles, pick out some easy-going, rich red wines. Glam evenings making jewellery or painting call for elegant sparkling wines like Prosecco or Champagne.

Here’s some crowd-pleasing options that will complement your creative wine night ideas:

· Merlot from California

California Merlots are typically soft, smooth and really easy to drink, which makes them a great choice for relaxed sipping while you’re crafting. Look out for great value bottles from underrated regions like Paso Robles.

· Pinot Noir from Oregon

If you like a lighter style red, pick up a Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. These wines are famed for their bright cherry fruit, smooth tannins, and elegant texture.

· Garnacha or Grenache

Hailing from southern France and Spain, crowd-pleasing Garnacha is a perfect choice for relaxed craft nights. Most bottles are bursting with juicy red berries, gentle spice, and moderate alcohol levels.

· Zinfandel

This California classic is always a big hit with lovers of bold, full-throttled reds. Alcohol levels can be a little higher than the other reds on this list, so it’s a good idea to serve plenty of snacks! Pick bottles from Lodi or Sonoma for luscious fruit flavors and modest price-tags.

· Prosecco

A bottle of sparkling wine adds a sense of celebration to any evening, and Prosecco is a great affordable option for those wanting Champagne on a lemonade budget. Look out for Prosecco DOCG from Valdobbiadene for something a bit special. “Brut” is the driest style, while bottles labelled “Extra Dry” have a subtle touch of sweetness.