Spread joy with a “crafting for charity” party!

Love to craft? Put your talents to good use with a gathering for a great cause: making from-the-heart creations to donate to those in need!

1 Find your cause!

Whether you love to crochet or have a passion for sewing, there’s a charity that could use your handiwork! Contact local women’s shelters, nursing homes and youth organizations to see if they take donated handmade items. Or try one of these charities:

If you love to knit or crochet . . . Knots-of-love (Knots Oflove.org) and Crochet for Cancer (Crochetforcancer.org) offer patterns for crocheted and knit caps for people who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy.

2 Gather your supplies!

Make a supplies list based on the number of crafters, then ask attendees to bring specific items to share with everyone. You can save by buying bigger quantities at online retailers like Consumercrafts.com and Createforless.com. Another option: Contact local crafts stores to let them know about your charity event—they may offer to sell you items at a discount or even donate themselves!

3 Set up your craft zone!

To make crafting a breeze, create a “place setting” at your table for each attendee: Start by printing instructions, if needed, for the project and set a copy by each seat along with supplies. To start, give a demo of the craft before everyone gets creative!

4 Offer up no-mess treats!

Since everyone’s hands will be busy, it’s best to set up a help-yourself refreshment station with easy-to-eat treats like cupcakes and cookies. Fill a cooler with cans of soda and juice—that way, people can sip while crafting without the worry of spilling a cup. Want to serve wine? Try Barefoot Refresh Summer Red Spritzers ($8 for 4, from Thebestwinestore. com). They come in sleek cans so there’s no need for easy-toknock over wine glasses!

5 Pack up your creations!

As guests finish their crafts, prep each for donating: If you’re donating to a local charity, place each finished craft in a gift bag, then label what’s inside with a gift tag. For donations sent by mail, enclose a printed list of what’s inside the box. It’ll make processing your donation much easier for the organization!