Happy Monday and last day of April! Will warm weather finally be upon us? Maybe May flowers? Let’s hope! Along with warmer weather comes parties, weddings, and showers. And the good news? The Punch Bowl is Officially Back! Feature photo credit Victoria Pearson via Traditional Home Magazine.
This weekend I was catching up on some reading and going through my magazines and I stumbled upon an article about a new book called Parties Around a Punch Bowl, by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. The article was featured in Traditional Home Magazine, which is one of my favorites. Writer Krissa Rossbund says, “The author makes it her mission to show today’s hosts how to dip into the power of nostalgic charm.” Kimberly Whitman encourages people to pull the punch bowl out of the cupboard to become the life of the party. Do you own a punch bowl?
The book is packed with recipes and decorating ideas. Not only does Whitman encourage folks to use their punch bowls for fun drinks but as decorating vessels. Check out this gorgeous centerpiece using green apples, pears, artichokes and limes. Beautiful!
Definitely taking the punch bowl outside the norm!
Last year as my in-laws were downsizing to a smaller house, my sweet Mother-in-law passed along her Mother’s punch bowl set to me. And because I love anything vintage, or that has sentimental value, of course I took it! I didn’t take it out of the box until my daughter-in-law’s bridal shower. When I did, I instantly fell in love! I wish I had a better picture here, but the heavy leaded glass bowl sits on a beautiful silver base and has a silver ladle. It also comes with 12 delicate glass punch cups with handles. The punch bowl set must be over 75 years old! Didn’t they know how to entertain?
At the bridal shower we served two different types of punch. One alcoholic and one non-alcoholic. We used my Mother-in-law’s punch bowl and then used a glass and galvanized drink dispenser for the other. I wish I’d had another punch bowl set, but alas, I didn’t. I bought these sweet little glass plates at the thrift store for $1 each. I thought they looked perfect with the glass punch bowl set. Talk about nostalgic charm!These hostess sets were popular back in the 1950’s and 60’s by Homestead called “snack sets”. Surprisingly they are still plentiful online so I bought several more sets for the shower. Now the family has about 40 glass plates and cups for future showers and parties! We are in the process of planning a bridal shower for my niece, Faith Elizabeth in July so these will make a cameo appearance for sure. As will the punch bowl!
The hostess plates were so pretty and the perfect size for the snacks and goodies at the shower. And they have a little round built in groove to securely hold your punch bowl cup for one handed snacking.
With the vast variety of recipes and ingredients, punches can be very colorful and festive! Add fruits and infused ice cubes and each bowl can be pretty and tasty and even color coordinated for your party! So, the sky is the limit. Remember the punch bowl scene in Christmas Vacation? Haha.
I agree with the author of the book that a punch bowl is the perfect party accoutrement. It allows guests to help themselves and keep the party flowing in an easy and attractive way. If you frequent thrift stores or consignment stores, you know how plentiful punch bowls and cups can be. And cheap! I’ve seen complete sets for less than $10. I bet your Mother may even have a punch bowl set in her attic! Whip that baby out for your next party and check out some new punch recipes! This book is available for $17.05 on Amazon Prime.
Thank you for stopping by today! Darn, I wish I had thought to write a book about punch bowls last year! I hope you have a lovely day! xoxo Dell
TIP: Here is a glass punch bowl base I purchased for a few dollars at Christmas last year. I used it as a candle holder but if I flip it over, it’s a pretty glass bowl! Think outside the bowl!