Last week I hosted a cozy, crafty Christmas brunch to thank some of the wonderful ladies who supported me and Studio DIY this year. I called the gathering “It Takes A Village,” and each guest decorated their own colorful wooden Christmas house. The theme was playful and meaningful — a perfect way to celebrate teamwork and friendship while creating something to take home.
The brunch was made effortless thanks to Grubhub, who delivered everything straight to my door. Partnering with them meant I didn’t have to cook, pick up food across town, or worry about timing: I placed one large order and the trays arrived about 30 minutes before guests. It felt like hours of prep, but was actually incredibly quick and stress-free.
For the table centerpiece I showcased our colorful Christmas village alongside my bottle brush tree collection. Displaying a finished example made it easy for everyone to picture the final project, and it looked festive and inviting. To add a whimsical touch, I filled the ceiling with a cluster of balloons — an instant pop of color and fun.
I kept the craft supplies organized on a separate table so the dining area stayed tidy while everyone ate. Paints, brushes, glitter, and glue were laid out and ready, but placed to the side during the meal. Once brunch was finished, guests selected their house and I moved the supplies to the main table so everyone could begin decorating.
For food, I ordered from Le Pain Quotidien and had the selections delivered by Grubhub. I chose a mix of pastries, several toasts, yogurt parfaits and quiches. When the delivery arrived I simply arranged everything on colorful serving trays and set out utensils — it looked like a beautifully curated brunch spread but took only minutes to assemble. That’s my favorite hosting trick: make it look like you spent hours, even when you didn’t.
To protect the table while painting, I recommend covering it with white banner paper from an office supply store or using an inexpensive paper or plastic tablecloth. It keeps cleanup simple and lets guests work freely with paint and glitter without worrying about mess.
After everyone finished crafting, we cleared a space on a table and took photos of the full village display. Seeing the finished houses together felt like the best part — each one uniquely styled and colorful. It makes a striking holiday vignette on a mantle, entry table, or shelf.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Everyone left excited to start or add to their own village at home. If you’re planning a holiday get-together this season, consider a simple craft-and-brunch format like this: it’s festive, social, and leaves guests with a handmade keepsake. It was one of my favorite parties to date — warm, collaborative, and full of creativity.
This post was created in partnership with Grubhub. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep the Studio DIY parties going. Read more about my editorial policies on my site.