Yesterday we shared our Winter Wonderland Party and today we are sharing some of the details. Every party needs a fabulous dessert table! We made our party rustic with some modern touches in our decorating.
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Quick Glance
- Bring the outdoors in by using branches, old window frames, and wood pieces as your decor base.
- Donut towers are a crowd-pleasing, low-effort dessert centerpiece that kids and adults love.
- Cupcakes with printed wrappers and toppers are the most kid-friendly dessert table staple.
- Layered pudding surprises take about 10 minutes and always get guests asking for the recipe.
- Homemade lollipops are easier than they look and can be customized to fit any theme.
- Repurpose items from past parties to keep costs low and give your table a cohesive, rustic feel.
For our dessert table, I used old window frames, branches from our backyard and wood pieces from our Halloween party last year. It really made the outdoors come in! Next we added in some yummy desserts that are very simple. Donut towers are HUGE right now and you might remember me giving you hints HERE and HERE that they are something you have to try for your next party.
For this one I created a tower of powdered donuts and used these burlap flowers from Hobby Lobby to add some decoration.
Topped with this cute printable banner from our Winter Wonderland Party Collection and hot glued to 2 6″ lollipop sticks, it makes for a yummy and pretty dessert display.
Of course almost every dessert table I create has cupcakes. The main reason why? Most kids prefer a cupcake over a piece of cake. It is THE perfect size for their little mouths. I always like to dress mine up with some printable cupcake wrappers and cute cupcake toppers.
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The drink of choice for most kids is a glass of milk. I had cute left over Starbucks bottles dressed up with some stripy straws and adorned with some cute little adhesive flags from our printable party collection.
I swear these layered pudding surprises are the easiest desserts to make and everyone always asks what is in them. I will be sharing the recipe later this week so you too can wow your guests with this 10 minute dessert.
Homemade lollipops are so much fun to make! I love mixing up the ingredients and using fun molds to make theme specific lollipops.
I will be sharing this tutorial tomorrow. I think you will see it is much easier than you think it will be. . .
and the kids sure loved them!
Things to Know
- A winter wonderland party typically uses a cool color palette featuring white, silver, icy blue, and clear or reflective accents.
- Snow-inspired elements such as flocked greenery, artificial snow, snowflakes, frosted branches, and white textiles help establish the winter theme.
- Lighting strongly influences the atmosphere, with white string lights, candles, lanterns, and reflective surfaces creating a soft seasonal glow.
- Textures such as faux fur, velvet, glass, metallic finishes, and frosted greenery can add depth to a mostly white or neutral decorating scheme.
- Table settings often carry the theme through white linens, silver accents, clear glassware, winter greenery, and snowflake-inspired details.
- Food and drinks can become part of the theme through winter-inspired desserts, hot chocolate stations, sparkling beverages, and seasonal garnishes.
- A winter wonderland theme can work for Christmas gatherings, New Year celebrations, birthdays, showers, and other events held during colder months.
- Indoor artificial snow and glitter can create extra cleanup, so contained decorations and reusable snow-inspired materials may be easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest dessert to make for a winter party?
Layered pudding surprises are one of the simplest options you can prepare. They take about 10 minutes to assemble, require no baking, and look polished in clear cups. Guests consistently ask what’s in them!
How far in advance can I decorate for a winter wonderland party?
You can start decorating 1-2 weeks ahead if you’re using non-perishable items like garland, lights, and wooden signs. However, save fresh elements like real snow, ice sculptures, or fresh flowers for 1-2 days before the event.
What’s the best way to keep drinks cold at an outdoor winter party?
Since it’s cold outside, you can skip the ice bucket and simply set drinks in the snow or a cooler. For hot beverages, use insulated dispensers or keep them warming on a portable heater.
Do I need a theme beyond “winter wonderland”?
Not necessarily! A winter wonderland theme is complete on its own, but you can add sub-themes like “Frozen Forest,” “Cozy Mountain Cabin,” or “Enchanted Ice Palace” if you want extra personality.
What’s the ideal temperature for hosting an outdoor winter party?
Temperatures between 25-40°F are ideal. Cold enough to feel festive but not so frigid that guests can’t enjoy themselves. Below 20°F, consider moving indoors or providing heated tents and warming stations.
If you missed our party feature yesterday be sure to pop back and check out the cute party set up and details HERE.
*photography by the amazing Alyssa Maisano Photography
You know I love this scaled down version of a dessert table. It’s so much more practical and yet no lack of style. Bravo!
Everything is awesome! I loved your post!