How to host a paint and sip night

1. Who to invite to your paint and sip night

I started with my guest list (you may want to swap step 1 and 2, totally up to your preference). This was important to me, because who I am inviting will determine the location, the activities and the food. I even put my guest list above choosing a date. I have a small group of friends, so I prefer deciding on a date together, to maximize the turnout and include everyone. So first, decide who you want to paint and sip with, then invite them.

2. Setting a date for your paint and sip night

I like to set a date after I’ve come up with my guest list, so that I can work with my friends to find a date that works for all, or most of us. But of course if you’ve got a big flourishing list of potential guests, you may want to set the date first and whoever can come, comes!

Other than finding a date that works for most of my friends, I also like to consider the day of the week and optimal time frame.

Weeknight vs. weekend: I love having fun on weeknights, but if there are drinks involved, who wants to wake up at 6 a.m. after a paint and sip?

Time of the day: Should we wind down with a paint and sip? Or use it to start our day? Don’t forget, if you’re hosting during a meal time, you should be feeding your guests more than just snacks!

3. Food and drinks for a DIY paint and sip night

Great, you’ve got a date and guest list. Now if you’re like me, this step is the best part. Setting the menu for a paint and sip night can be so much fun. Start off by setting some of the basics.

What time is my paint and sip? If you’ll have guests over around noon, or 5 p.m. it is best hosting etiquette to provide a meal for your guests. If you want to avoid that and just stick to snacks, be sure to choose a timeframe that avoids those major meal times in step 2.

I decided on a 4 p.m. start time, starting with appetizers and wine, and making our way to spaghetti and meatballs as the main course. No, spaghetti and meatballs is not the cleanest meal, but I’ve been leaning into my Italian heritage and wanted to share it a little bit with my friends!

I personally think appetizers are the most important part of a party. They are a key discussion piece, they keep your guests fed and happy, and they’re delicious, duh. You can never go wrong with a charcuterie board, so my appetizer was a board full of delicious meats and cheeses from Trader Joe’s, along with their mini baguettes, and fig jam.

Some other paint and sip friendly appetizers are these mini caprese skewers, grilled peach and burrata crostinis, or these honey sriracha turkey meatballs.

As for drinks, this is a great place to get your guests involved. Ask each of your guests to bring their favorite bottle of wine. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but by everyone bringing a bottle, you can ensure there is something everyone likes, and you get to have fun sampling each other’s wines!

4. The actual painting at your DIY Paint and Sip night

Oh yeah, we gathered to paint huh? Once the drinks are flowing and the appetizers start to disappear, it’s a great time to start on the painting portion of your at home paint and sip night. There are a few key logistical considerations to make with this.

Where will you paint? I have a small apartment, so there weren’t many options for me. But you’ll want to paint somewhere that you won’t be distraught if someone spills a bit of paint (or wine), and somewhere that is comfortable to sit. For my paint and sip night, this meant setting up pillows and blankets on the floor, around my living room coffee table.

What will you paint with? If one of your friends is a creative, or has paints of their own, awesome! But as the host, you should be providing the materials. I got water color paint, brushes, and paper from Target.

Will you have guided painting, or is it a free for all? You could set up a paint as you go video on YouTube like this one, or everyone can find something that inspires them and paint away. We went the route of painting on our own because we all had different tastes. But it was so fun to see what everyone came up with at the end.

6. Other activities for your paint and sip night

I know, a paint and sip should be enough. But once the drinks are flowing and you’re done painting, your guests may not be ready to leave. Have a few other activities up your sleeve so that you don’t have to panic when there is nothing left to do. We personally always have Scattergories on hand (our favorite game ever!) But this time we also had a TikTok challenge we wanted to do. The challenge includes everyone being blindfolded, and dancing to a selected song while being recorded. Then you can remove your blindfold and laugh at how differently everyone danced to the same song! So fun, but I will spare you from watching the footage.

7. Set the ambience for your paint and sip night

Part of my goal for more intentional gatherings, includes taking it a step further! I want everyone to have a great time, and enjoy great food. But I also want to set a great ambience for people to be transported into our get together, and away from any worries or outside life!

Light every candle you have in your house, grab the prettiest bunch of flowers from Trader Joe’s and find a great playlist.

With great guests, delicious food, fun activities, and a specially curated ambience, your guests are sure to love your DIY Paint and Sip night.