Winter Wonderland Party - Part 1

Can you remember that first snowfall of winter, the steam from hot chocolate warming your cold hands, and the sound of a crackling fire?

Revisit those memories with a holiday event inspired by the magic of the winter season.

Have a party set deep in the snowy mountains or recreate the feeling in your own home by throwing the quintessential Winter Wonderland bash.

Here, we'll focus on how to transform your home to be a winter wonderland through atmospheric lighting tips and simple decorating tricks. 

Read Part 2 for table decoration ideas and a few great winter fun recipes. Don't forget to enjoy more winter party ideas from my fellow Celebrations experts.

A Homemade Old Ski Cabin Entrance

Create Light with Sandwich Bags for a homemade winter wonderland:

1. Gather Sandwich Bags.
2. Fold the top of each bag about 2 inches down making a cuff.
3. Fill one-third of the bag with sand.
4. Place votive candles in glass holders and set one in each bag.
5. Place bags along your driveway.

Another winter luminary idea is to make luminaries out of ice. Read how here. 

Lighting the Way to Winter 

1.  Wrap a few trees with white or blue lights. Cover individual branches as well as the trunk of the tree to emphasize the stark beauty of winter.
2. Place a few potted green plants along the edges of the walkway.
3. Spread fake snow on the path leading up to the doorway of your home.
4. Make snow drifts against the potted plants 
5. Sprinkle snow on the plants themselves and even the stairs.

Bringing Winter Skies Indoors

It's very important to know that lighting sets the mood, especially for a Winter Wonderland party.

Combine some of the following ideas to light your room perfectly this Winter! 

• Change all of the light bulbs in the room from white to blue.
• Light party rooms by candlelight. You can never use too many candles of all shapes, colors and sizes.
• Place votive candles on each table, mantel and styled around the room. The glass votives can be blue, brown, clear, frosted or silver.
• Mix colors and shapes to add variety. White pillar candles can be placed around the house to further this effect.
• Light a fire in the fireplace to add to the ambiance.
• Place clusters of two and three glowing, blue “Mood Orbs” throughout the room. They look like snowballs made of deep, blue ice and are a perfect winter touch.

For An Extra Touch of Holiday Spirit

• Hang some vintage skates, skis with poles, or an old sled near the front door. 
• Lean winter sporting items against the wall (sleds, skis, snow shows, snowboards, etc) 
• Stack Logs by the front door
• Use large white pillar candles in glass vases, styled in one or two groupings of three candles each.
• If you do not have white pillar candles, place small votive candles in lanterns to create the white winter glow.

These simple tricks will really punctuate the room while bringing the outdoors inside. You can also build an entire party around these winter activities too. Read more about an Après Ski Party here.

Now that your home looks and feels like Winter, its time to decorate your table and whip up a few winter recipes. Read Part Two of this article for more!