Over the last few Fridays I’ve been leaving work early for various reasons, so I wanted to make it up to you with a bright, cheerful bonus DIY project. It’s a versatile idea that works for Earth Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, garden parties, or really any festive table setting. The concept is simple: paper flower place cards paired with tiny seed kits or mini pots. While shopping the dollar aisle at Target, I found little seed starter kits—mini pots with seeds and everything needed to grow flowers or strawberries. I adapted those kits, added colorful tissue-paper flowers, and created a charming place card that doubles as a party favor.
These look lovely with seed kits inside, but they’re just as cute if you prefer to leave the pots empty and simply decorate them with paper flowers.
Supply List:
Tissue paper (I used four sheets, each cut in half to a 6″ width)
Cardstock or scrapbook paper
Stapler
Glue dots or double-sided tape
Marker or Sharpie for names
Mini flower pots
Seeds or a small seed starter kit (optional)
To make the flower pots and place cards:
If you’re using the little seed kits, unwrap them and remove the growing instructions. I trimmed those down and tucked them back inside the kit so everything stays together. Set the pots aside and start on the paper flowers.
Stack four sheets of tissue paper. For small flowers, four layers give you good volume; you can use more layers for fuller blooms. Accordion-fold the stacked sheets, then staple once in the center to hold the fold together.
Carefully separate each layer of tissue paper, pulling them apart one at a time to create a fluffy flower. Take your time—this step is delicate to avoid tearing the paper.
Continue separating and fluffing until all layers are spread and the flower has a full, rounded shape. Adjust the layers until the bloom looks balanced.
Cut leaf shapes from cardstock or scrapbook paper. Write each guest’s name along the edge of a leaf to serve as the place card. To add dimension, make a small vertical slit at the bottom of the leaf.
Place a glue dot on one side of the slit, overlap the edges, and press so the leaf curves slightly upward. Add a glue dot or two to the top of the leaf and secure it to the underside of the paper flower.
With the leaf attached, your paper flower place card is finished. You can simply rest the flower on top of the mini pot, or secure it with a small piece of tape underneath so it won’t move. If you used a seed kit, slip the seeds and instruction card back inside the pot for a complete favor.
These little flower pots make a lovely, versatile favor for many occasions. For a girls-only event, attach a hair clip to the bottom of the flower so guests can wear it—an easy and fun twist that makes the favor wearable. They’re sweet for Easter, bridal showers, summer birthdays, or any time you want a cheerful, handmade touch at your table.
All photos by Studio DIY