This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareYourSummer #CollectiveBias

We’ve all either been to one, been invited to one, or seen one (or fifty) on our Facebook newsfeeds… I’m talking those “corks and canvases” or “pints and portraits” or… whatever the spin on a whine and painting class is in your area. But here’s the deal. There is a much better option this summer for you to share with your friends– and it involves Coke, Cupcakes, and Crafts.

The last time I made a trip to Walmart, I gathered everything I needed for my party (and my special cupcake frosting, which has a hint of Coca-Cola flavor in it!) Soon, your Walmart will get a special dump bin near the front of the store that has personalized name bottles, making it easier than ever to find your name (and your friends’ names!). But, personalized bottles may also be able to be found in the refrigerators near the checkouts or in/near the soda aisle. The bins in front will be the easiest way to find your name!

I picked up a bottle for each of my friends (and for me, of course!) Aren’t these SO cool?

If your friends prefer Diet Coke or Coke Zero, they won’t be left out, either– those bottles have great #ShareACoke personalized labels, too!

While I just knew these personalized Coke bottles would make the perfect place cards at my Cupcakes and Crafting party, they have so many uses– the perfect addition to a gift basket for a friend, a fun, spontaneous gift for a co-worker, child’s coach or teacher, or even just to take home to your family. Who doesn’t love being given a gift with their name on it? Wouldn’t they also make cool wedding place cards?

But seriously… I think any party that involves Coca-Cola and Crafts needs some cupcakes, too! So, I took my favorite boxed mix and whipped up some chocolate cupcakes and vanilla cupcakes to top with a delicious frosting with a hint of Coca-Cola flavor!

The recipe starts with 2 blocks (8 oz each) of cream cheese at room temperature, and one stick of butter, also at room temperature.

Cream that together with a mixer until the ingredients are well-combined.

Add in 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until combined again.

Add in 2 Tablespoons of Coca-Cola, then 1 more cup of powdered sugar, then 2 more Tablespoons of Coca-Cola, and 1 final cup of powdered sugar, mixing after each addition, for a total of 4 Tablespoons of Coke and 4 Cups of powdered sugar.

If the frosting is too thick, thin it out with a little bit more coke, 1 Tablespoon at a time. Too thin, and you’ll want to add a bit more powdered sugar.

When you’re ready, pipe the frosting onto cupcakes or spread it onto cake! This frosting pairs perfectly with chocolate OR vanilla (or a zebra cake of both!) and would be great on anything that goes well with Coca-Cola (which is everything, am I right?)

When choosing the perfect crafts for my party, I knew mini canvases were a must because they allowed for blank creativity (and they’re sold in a pack of 4, which means only a few packs gets the party started with friends), but I also LOVED the idea of a monogram that each guest could decorate. Doesn’t it tie in perfectly with the personalized #ShareACoke bottles? Every guest knew exactly where to sit with their personalized Coke bottle and monogram craft! They go together SO well.

You’ll want to be sure to have plenty of craft supplies on hand, too– you can never have enough paint, glitter, glitter glue, markers, ribbon, and glue! Pull out things from your stash that work for crafting, and encourage your friends to bring along any of their own stash that they want to use or are willing to share!

I chose red and black cupcake wrappers and decor to match with Coke’s product packaging, since I was using the Coke bottles as my place card and central theme. I also cut a paper straw as a cute little garnish and found these adorable bows in the baking section of Walmart (they’re edible!) as the perfect topper. Decorate your cupcakes with your favorite topping, or set some out and let your guests decide! Make sure there are cupcakes for every guest, and plenty more to go around, because who doesn’t get hungry during a major craft session? I intermingled cupcakes with craft supplies in the middle of the table so everyone could grab for more if they were hungry. These cupcakes go great with a Coke float, or with more savory snacks like mini sandwiches, trail mix, and chips.

It seems like so often lately, we’re all so busy, especially when it comes to getting together with my friends. My best friend Sarah and I have a policy during our coffee dates that we try to put our phones aside unless it’s a parent or spouse calling, or unless we have to show each other something important (like debating which Doctor is the cutest, which, it’s 10 by a landslide, duh). So my advice? Set aside your phones. Take time to laugh. Time to sip on Coke and eat cupcakes and get a little messy. Use your napkins and Coke labels in the craft. Get creative. Get silly. Maybe use your phones to take some pictures or a crafty selfie or two, but otherwise? Ditch the phones in favor of real conversation for the night. You won’t regret it.

Overall, just let loose. Isn’t that what Coke is all about, anyway? This summer, you should just #ShareYourSummer with your friends and enjoy it, regardless of where you are, craft party or no.

The best part about a craft party is that the crafts your friends create are the perfect built-in party favor! Everyone gets to take home what they made. But, if you have some extra cupcakes, treat boxes make the perfect gift (who can resist taking home a little of that yummy Coke frosting, whether they’re going to share the cupcake with a loved one or keep it for themselves?)

Also be sure to pick up a few extra personalized Coke bottles as favors, too! Don’t they just make you smile?

There are over 1,000 names featured on the bottles after Coke added new names this year, so you’re almost sure to find a bottle for every single one of your friends! Walmart happens to have the widest and most organized selection of the Coca-Cola personalized 20 oz bottles, so you’ll definitely want to go there (plus, you can pick up everything else you need for a Cupcakes and Crafts party!) Why go out to a painting and pinot place where you and your friends can create 20 versions of the exact same painting, when you can stay home, have a delicious party with Coca-Cola, your imagination, and your closest friends? It’s the perfect night in, and everyone will love how personal it is! (Oh, and if you DO have a friend whose name isn’t featured, Coke has other bottles and cans that say things like “BFF,” “Amor,” and “#1,” so no one is left out and everyone gets a refreshing beverage!

These Coke bottles really do make the perfect spontaneous gift, but they’re also great for Sharing your Summer with those you love– whether you’re at a music festival, on a trip to the beach, or visiting the drive in theater! That’s why you should #ShareYourSummer and #ShareACoke with someone you love. You can easily find your name by checking the #ShareACoke site (also check for your friends names!) Or, see more fun activities at the #ShareYourSummer social hub!

 

Today, I told you how I enjoyed sharing a Coke with my closest friends at a Coke, Cupcakes, and Crafting Party. Crafting together is one of my favorite ways to share my summer. Who would you share a Coke with, and where would you share it? Let me know in the comments below!