Have a BOOtiful, SPOOKtacular Season!

 

13 Types of Crafts for A Ladies' Night In (Part 1)

A ladies' night in centered on making crafts doesn't have to be an expectations versus reality event, where participants labor over pouring plaster of paris or dealing with paper mache projects that are too complex. 

The Social Aspect of Crafts

When it comes to crafting, there really is something for everybody. And lest you think it's a solitary activity, you can do a craft project with a group of girl friends within a low-key, intimate environment. 

Why Incorporate Crafts on A Ladies' Night In? 

A ladies' night in can be a frugal way to bond with friends. 

You might be low on funds so everyone decided to hold off on watching concerts, going to music festivals, or going on a trip or vacation for now.

Well, crafting with friends can be a frugal way to bond. It can also serve as an excellent opportunity to mix your introverted friends with more extroverted ones.

Focusing on crafts can be a good way to taper off on alcohol.

If you and your friends have agreed to quit (or at least, taper off) on drinking and using alcohol as a social prop, getting together at someone's home to bond over crafts can be a good alternative to working the bar scene or a pub crawl.

It doesn't actually have to be a "night in." 

A "ladies' night in" doesn't automatically equate to a group of young, 20-something women. It could be 30- and 40-something moms hoping to unwind, talk, and do something creative during a Saturday afternoon. 

It could also be elderly ladies at church regularly meeting up for a Wednesday Bible study, or a quilting group wanting to try a different craft. 

Or, how about turning it into a pajama party and asking your pre-teen or teenage daughters to invite her friends over to craft?

The menu can be simple and fuss-free.

Another frugal aspect about hosting a crafty ladies' night in is, you don't need a menu with elaborately prepared dishes to wow your guests. 

You can serve platters of canapes and quesadillas as appetizers before you craft, and cap off the event with subway or clubhouse sandwiches. 

You can turn it into a Mexican-themed buffet with tacos, burritos, and nachos and dips. You can make spaghetti with meatballs and order pizza.

You can fill a couple of charcuterie boards with crackers and pretzels, fruits like grapes, oranges, and berries, vegetables like carrot and celery sticks and roasted asparagus, and slices of deli meat.

For teenage girls, you can serve hotdog sandwiches and fried chicken, with ice cold orange juice, lemonade, or non-alcoholic punch for a refreshing drink. 

Some types of crafts can be modified to suit a guys' night in. 

A crafty night in can be modified to suit a group of guys. They can choose a superheroes-themed crafty night in, or one that features their favorite video game characters. 

Guys can also choose a sporty craft after watching their favorite NBA or NFL team on TV.  

Should you be convinced to host a craft-centered ladies' night in, here are some key takeaways to keep in mind: 

• You need to consider everyone's level of skill and creativity, so choose an inclusive craft. 
• Have enlarged or blown up copies of photos of the finished craft, so guests can have an idea.
• Allow your guests to customize or personalize their craft.
• Get a friend or 2 to assist all your other guests. 
• Prepare a playlist of upbeat tunes for background music.
• Don't craft on an empty stomach! Get yourself and your guests fueled first by having a meal.

Having mentioned these crucial takeaways, here are 13 types of crafts for a ladies' night in:

(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be collecting a commission any time you click on those links and make a purchase.)

(1.) Drawstring pouch

This simple, colorful pouch can be used as a fancy way to wrap and present accessories and other small trinkets. 

Photo from Paper & Stitch
Click here for complete procedure

Ladies can choose their favorite colors, and use other materials like tassels, craft buttons, bag charms or keychains, and even miniature Christmas balls to adorn their drawstring pouches.

(2.) Bath and beauty essentials 

Bath and beauty crafts aren't just for a bachelorette party or bridal shower. They can also be given as a present on Mother's Day, or to a female colleague, a favorite aunt, that female barista who regularly makes your coffee at a nearby cafe, or that elderly lady next door who brings you her baked goodies. 

Photo from Online Labels
Click here for full tutorial

Body scrub in a jar 

The good thing about this homemade craft is you can fill several jars out of body scrub made out of common, everyday ingredients like oatmeal and coffee.

Photo from That's What Che Said
Click here for complete procedure

Mani-pedi in a jar

This is an incredibly chic and practical craft that even your girl friends who claim to be low-maintenance will love.

(3.) Hot cocoa in a mug 

Photo from Flour on My Face
Click here for full tutorial

Now that the holidays are fast approaching, you may wish to make a lot of these to give away.

(4.) Framed calligraphy 

Image from The Crafty Angels
Click here for complete procedure

menriquezartsupplies'
Sakura Koi assorted
coloring brush pens

You can jazz up a plain wall, a corner of your home office or workspace at home by writing a word, quote or maxim, Bible verse, or poem using a calligraphy pen on parchment paper. Have it framed by taking any ordinary wooden or plastic frame.

Tip: You can modify this craft by using calligraphy pens to write on blank postcards. You can then decorate theme with stickers, washi tapes, and ephemera.

DIY blank mailable
watercolor painting postcards
4" x 6" 300 gsm, white
by Main's Art Venue

(5.) Refrigerator magnets 

Refrigerator magnets are sooo much fun and easy to make, and you can craft a bunch to give away to family members, friends, colleagues, etc. They can even be excellent and inexpensive stocking stuffers for Christmas. 

Resin accessories for crafts
and DIY by Medeer.ph

 

10 pieces/set Sanrio resin figures for
crafts by yanshangshininmain.ph

Materials: 

• resin charms 
• Merry Christmas greeting resin charm 
• magnets
• multi-purpose glue/adhesive

Flexible magnetic dots with strong
adhesive by ILOVESHOPPING

Tool Corner's B-7000
multi-purpose glue/adhesive

Procedure:

(1.) Take a Merry Christmas greeting resin charm and match it with a holiday symbol or pop culture character (in this case, Sanrio cartoon characters) resin charm. 

(2.) Get a magnet and use multi-purpose glue to stick the matching resin charms on the magnet.

Halloween-Themed Event: Patron of the Arts 2025 at Elements at Centris, Quezon City

As the final part of my 44th birthday celebration, my sister and I went to the themed event Patron of the Arts Halloween 2025 last October 19. 

It was our 2nd time attending the Halloween-themed event, and over all, our 3rd time to enjoy a Patron of the Arts (a winter-themed Patron of the Arts was held last December 2024) convention.

Our 2nd time at a
Halloween-themed
Patron of the Arts event

Patron of the Arts (PoTA) 2025: A Thriving Community for Independent Filipino Artists

As a niched event, Patron of the Arts Halloween 2025  serve as a platform to independent Filipino artists, designers, and illustrators.

Patron of the Arts conventions attract customers (patrons) of diverse backgrounds. These patrons include, but aren't limited to --

• collectors of original merchandise, like postcards, posters, art prints, bookmarks, keychains, bag charms, phone accessories, tote bags, etc. 
• collectors of "fan-made merchandise," like T-shirts, tote bags, stickers, and button pins with popular cartoon characters.
• cosplayers and members of anime and manga fandoms.
• customers who are looking for unique items or gifts, like crocheted plush animals, ceramics, earrings, bandannas, etc.

Held last October 18-19 at The Elements on Eton Centris, Quezon City, Patron of the Arts Halloween is a weekend event where patrons came clad in their spookiest Halloween costumes. 

Patron of the Arts Halloween 2025: Features and Highlights

Free Admission to Children Five Years Old and Below, Senior Citizens, and People With Disabilities

I was fortunate enough to avail of free admission, since my disability is classified under "psychosocial disability" and had been issued a PWD ID since 2019. 

A free pack of Nips Choco Malt candies was handed out to all enthusiastic patrons at the entrance.

A Free Ticket for Every Four Tickets Purchased

This would be a terrific deal for patrons who came in groups, or with their families.

Trick or Treat? 

The artists, illustrators, and designers have set up booths, tables, and kiosks at the spacious, pet-friendly venue, all creatively decorated to attract patrons.

Patrons (customers) who came in creative costumes who bought items or goodies from vendors had the chance to be given treats (candies).

Hungry?

The Elements at Eton Centris is home to a lot of diners, coffee shops, and restaurants, so patrons can already have their fill before and after the Halloween-themed event. 

However, patrons also shouldn't miss out on the food and refreshments being sold inside the venue. Stalls have strategically been set up apart from the vendors, in order to allow convenience and ease. 

Photo from Patron of
the Arts Facebook Page

Freebies, Freebies, Freebies! 

Candy Trails

Patron of the Arts events won't be complete without their Stamp Rally, which gives patrons an opportunity to score freebies while helping out participating artists, designers, and illustrators. 

To qualify for a freebie, a patron has to purchase a minimum of 185 pesos worth of items from 7 participating "vampires" (vendors). 

Afterward, a patron will earn a stamp from the participating "vampire" on his Stamp Rally coupon. After getting all 7 vendors' stamps, a patron can now proceed to Table L9 to claim a blood bag from Dakilang Diwata. 

Workshops 

Two kinds of workshops were held on Patron of the Arts Halloween. They were --

Pumpkin Painting (October 18)

Photo from
Patron of the Arts
Facebook Page

Eight slots for 2 participants each were set aside for the pumpkin painting workshop. 

Each pair was given a blank base made of plaster of paris, which was carved into a jack-o-lantern.

Cute Monster Making (October 19)

The Cute Monster Making workshop was held on the 2nd day of the weekend event, in which a total of 18 slots was reserved for interested participants. 

Photo from
Patron of the Arts
Facebook Page

On the workshop itself, monster making kits that came in boxes were handed out to participants, and everyone got busy personalizing and "cute-sifying" their monsters. 

Games

A 2-day event is never complete without games! They help foster bonding through healthy competition within an atmosphere of fun (and spooks?).

From trivia-related stuff to thematic challenges, you name it, Patron of the Arts Halloween has it!

Caricature Portrait

What I liked best about this year's Halloween event was my sister and I stumbling upon Holograpeach, a caricature artist who charges affordable rates to patrons requesting to render caricature portraits, either of themselves, other people, or pets. 

The Artists

Keirubee x Jo, stickeysph, dollykaye, and kathanghandog were among the artists from whom I've bought merchandise. 

Overall, Patron of the Arts, as a niche convention, can be a good way for independent artists and patrons to meet. Even those who are still exploring or experimenting with their artistic tastes and preferences can get a huge sampling of what's available in the independent art community. 

5 Spooktacular Ways to Replace Halloween Candy

If you're a parent, guardian, caretaker, teacher, or coach of children, you may be aware that the upcoming Halloween means going trick-or-treating.

Image by gpointstudio

But Halloween candy can be seriously scary. According to WellPower, sugar "has been linked to a slew of health problems, from tooth decay to diabetes."

In addition to the fact that there are kids who are struggling with weight, parents who have taken care of toddlers can attest to sugar crashes after a candy binge.

And yet, why let these restrictions dampen the spooky but fun spirit of Halloween? 

The Short-Term Solution? Allow Halloween Candy in Moderation

Many experts believe that the occasional candy binge during trick-or-treating won't lead to any serious long-term health issues. 

However, you can use this upcoming occasion to educate your kids about what's an acceptable amount of consumption of Halloween candy.

Prep Your Kids Before They Go Trick-or-Treating

Allow your kids to dress up and go trick-or-treating with their friends, but make sure to serve them a healthy meal that's extra filling first, in order to curb the temptation to binge on sweet treats.

After the Halloween haul, take stock of all the candies and chocolates available. You can come to an agreement with your kids that they can pack a chocolate bar or a few pieces of hard candy in their lunch boxes within the next few weeks after trick-or-treating.

The Trick? Keep Up With the Fun and Spooky Spirit of Halloween, Sans the Treats 

The long-term solution is to seek out alternative ways to have fun on a Halloween night that doesn't involve overspending or hoarding on sweet treats and excessive consumption of candy. 

(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be collecting a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)

Here are 5 fool-proof ways to replace Halloween candy:

(1.) Give Halloween coupons

You can DIY your own Halloween coupons and set a budget for inexpensive, practical items that can replace candy. 

The following are just a few suggestions that will delight trick-or-treaters:

• sticker sheets 
• candy beads 
• friendship bracelets 
• accessories
• keychains
• bag charms
• fruit-flavored lip gloss
• crocheted animals
• phone charms

Have around 30-40 coupons ready (you may need to make more depending on the number of trick-or-treaters). 

500 pieces Happy Halloween stickers //
Trick or Treat by RM Packaging Supply

Materials

• several sheets of white cardstock (8.5" x 11" or A4) 
• Halloween-themed scrapbook paper 
• Halloween stickers, ephemera, or washi tapes
• pencil and scissors
• paper cutter (optional) 
• black felt-tip pen

Procedure 

(1.) Cut your white cardstock into 2.5" x 4" coupons, or slightly larger if you wish. 

(2.) Using scrapbook paper, stickers, ephemera, or washi tapes, decorate your coupons however you want.  

(3.) Take a black, felt-tip pen and write a non-candy item on each of the coupons. 

(4.) Once the trick-or-treaters arrive, hand them out and make the kids "redeem" each inexpensive item. 

(2.) Deck the halls with anything spooky!

Encourage your kids, the next-door neighbors' kids, and their friends to stretch their creativity and let their imagination run loose by upcycling any junk lying around into spooky Halloween decorations. 

It could be a banner, bunting, or garland. Your kids can tear old magazines or newspapers into pieces and apply techniques in paper mache or decoupage to create a wreath or witch's cauldron.

(3.) Have a Halloween-themed stay-cation 

Have a horror movie marathon. 

Prep 4-6 scary movies. Thrust a couple of bags of popcorn into the microwave and shove some ice cubes into a pitcher of lemonade or orange juice. 

For a truly spooky ambience, turn off all the lights in your den or room, save for a ring light or lampshade on a coffee table. 

Tell ghost stories. 

You can gather the entire family around the dining table and feast on pizza and pasta, or a large charcuterie board.

Enjoy your food while taking turns narrating ghost stories. It could be something your kids read from books, or tall tales you've heard from your childhood.

Dungeons & Dragons
Monster Mayhem: Monster Madness
Card Game from OU.STORE

Play Halloween-themed board games. 

A Halloween-themed board game can be scheduled before or after dinner. 

CK Home Essentials'
Cluedo: Sherlock Edition

And scary elements don't need to constitute a family-friendly board game. It could have a mystery concept, which will allow your kids to role play a detective.

Halloween plaster painting set in
a box by Callahtoy Online Store

Work on some Halloween crafts.

Keeping your kids preoccupied with crafts is a good way to prevent any craving for Halloween candy. 

Halloween kids crafts/
party favors by
fashionfindings.ph

And never let children bemoan that "they're not creative enough" or "artsy/crafty enough." You can look into a variety of crafts that will suit any level of skill, from beginner to advanced.

(4.) Have a Halloween scavenger hunt. 

A scavenger hunt can appeal to children with a competitive spirit, while still maintaining an atmosphere of fun. 

Prepare around 12-18 Halloween-related items and hide them strategically all over your backyard (e.g. plastic skull behind a cracked flower pot, witch's spell inserted under a rock, jack-o-lantern among the bushes). 

Assemble your kids and the group of trick-or-treaters and divide them into two groups. Hand over the lists of Halloween items and set a timer to 30 minutes. Reward the first group to find the most number of items within that duration.

(5.) Host a Costume Party

What's a fun albeit spooky season without a costume party? If your home is spacious enough, it' your best bet for a party venue. 

If you hope to invite more guests, why not rent a room at a multi-purpose hall, or set up decorations, tables and chairs  at  a basketball court?

Image from freepik

If it's an exclusive, kids-only party, schedule the event during the early afternoon on a weekend. 

If you want adults to be present as well, late afternoon to early evening would be your best bet. 

For a fuss-free but extra-filling Halloween menu, serve finger sandwiches, quesadillas, fried chicken, alcohol-free punch, and bloody red spaghetti with eyeballs. 

For further reading: 

11 Spooktacular Replacements for Halloween Candy

Celebrate Christmas in Style: Free Gift Wrapping Workshop at Anko at TriNoma, Quezon City

Image from
Anko Philippines
Facebook Page

Anko, a home and lifestyle Australian brand, has now reached Philippine shores and has quickly gained popularity, all thanks to their products of good quality and a celebrity endorsement by actress and host Anne Curtis. 

Recently, Anko opened its third, and by far biggest, branch at the bustling TriNoma Mall in Quezon City.

As soon as you walk into Anko's colossal branch, their carefully curated display of home and lifestyle essentials will pull you in.

Anko is hardly a hodgepodge or dump of items or stuff for the home or everyday living, thrown together without cohesion. They have a section for essentials in pastel shades, while several shelves offer a display of home decor in neutral colors. 

When you're hard pressed to find practical yet chic and decorative items, Anko can soon be your go-to store for pleasant shopping experiences for your home.

Seasonal decorations and costumes for Halloween and Christmas have also found their way onto Anko's aisles. You can don different head gear like headbands and witch's hats, and accessories like earrings and nail extensions. Complete your Halloween get-up by toting plastic pumpkins for trick or treating. 

You can also choose among varying sizes of fir trees and decorations that appeal to your taste. You can deck a coffee table or your workspace at home with miniatures and an advent calendar.

At this day and age when numerous Filipinos are tightening their belts, Anko prides itself not as a cheap alternative to other well-known home and lifestyle stores, but as a brand that "makes great home design accessible to everyone." 

And as preparation for the holiday season, two consecutive workshops were held at the Anko store at TriNoma, Quezon City on October 11 and 12, 2025.

The first class was a Christmas Decorating Workshop, facilitated by Home Buddies founder Frances Lim Cabatuando, a former advertising creative director. 

Out of sheer passion for home improvement, Cabatuando turned into a community founder/content creator. She firmly believes that every Filipino deserves a comfortable home, regardless of socioeconomic status or level of income. 

Image from
Anko Philippines
Facebook Page

The second class was a Gift Wrapping Workshop, hosted by Mariel San Agustin, founder of Domesticity. 

Domesticity is a handicrafts company that started on a sugar farm in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. 

Initially, San Agustin worked with only a handful of weavers, utilizing indigenous raw materials such as pandan, jute, and sack.

Borne out of San Agustin's advocacy to support weavers in nearby towns, Domesticity has since went on to incorporate other materials like leather, wrought iron, and wicker.

Today, Domesticity supplies room amenities to hotels and resorts around the country, giveaways and packaging to companies and weddings, and private levels to department stores and boutiques.

Domesticity founder
Mariel San Agustin
facilitating Anko's free
gift wrapping workshop

My sister went shopping at Anko's last October 12 to stock up on presents to give to her friends and colleagues, and we were fortunate to be invited to the free gift wrapping workshop. 

Using a few items from Anko, Mariel San Agustin demonstrated three different ways to wrap gifts, which can be modified and personalized accordingly: 

Gift wrapping an oddly shaped object with a kitchen cloth towel 

Kitchen cloth towels with festive or bright prints can be bought from Anko, and can be an inexpensive, unique way to wrap a saucepan. 

Place a rectangular kitchen towel wrong side up on a table in a diamond position, and put a saucepan above. 

And then, wrap the head of the saucepan until part of the handle is left hidden. Secure with a colorful ribbon. 

Gift wrapping with a DIY paper bag

The cost of ready-made gift bags can get pricey, and sometimes, you can hardly find the right size of gift bags for your presents.

Cutting tools, tape, gift tags,
and colorful ribbons -- those
essentials that add gifts
that much-needed "oomph!"

To solve this problem, San Agustin advises using rolls of Anko's wrapping paper to create your own gift bags.

A strip of ribbon can be used to create a handle, while attaching a gift tag in a color that's a stark contrast to the wrapping paper paper's color, can brighten up the present in an instant. 

An alternative to creating a handle is leaving the paper bag open, but lining the inside with tissue or Japanese paper, and filling the excess space with store-bought paper filler. 

Using pleating as a technique

The most festive gift wrapping technique San Agustin showed had to do with pleating, which is an excellent way to wrap cylindrical-shaped items.

A variety of scented candles were lined up on a table as samples of cylindrical-shaped items. San Agustin took a roll of wrapping paper, measured, and cut an adequate enough portion that left 2" margins at the top and bottom of the candle. 

Proudly showing off
the finished products

Next, she covered the candle entirely with the wrapper and secured it with tape. Using a pair of scissors, San Agustin proceeded to cut approximately 1" strips along the 2" margins at the top and bottom of the candle's wrapper.

Finally, applying pleating as a technique, she folded each 1" strip around the top and bottom of the candle, until everything is covered, and taped it up.

Decorating the Gift 

Next comes in adding a personal touch to the gift by decorating it. 

Gift tags and satin ribbons can be used in plain, solid colors like red, gold, and green, or printed ribbons. 

Small ornaments like miniature Christmas balls in gold, silver, green, or red can also be tied to the ribbon.

Aside from TriNoma at Quezon City, you can find Anko's other branches at Glorietta 2, Makati and Alabang Town Center.