Blast from the past holiday: Share a Coke

The holidays seem to bring a nostalgic tone, don’t they? Reminders of our childhood or even of different eras from the past with the music of Nat King Cole’s Holiday song playing in the background while sipping hot cocoa. It’s part of the magic of Christmas! I was giddy to partner with Coca-Cola with their Share a Coke campaign as the image of Coca-Cola is such a clear picture of a classic and fun holiday. With their retro glass bottle shape, they were such a blast from the past that we had to throw a holiday party in the same tone.

We decided to create a Coca-Cola style holiday tablescape. We found royalty-free images of cute houses, cars, and trees that we turned black and white, cut out, and painted on top to create a little snowed in holiday town and added in the Coke bottles to act as name tags for each guest topped with bells and ribbons.

As you’ve probably seen, their Share a Coke campaign features various names, and this season, for a limited time, it’s names like the 8 reindeer (Dasher & Dancer, Prancer & Vixen, Comet & Cupid, Donner & Blitzen) as well as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, Santa’s Helper, Someone Naughty, Someone Nice, Under the Mistletoe. They’re pretty adorable. And! You can even order your own customized bottles! I printed out pictures of my family and created tags to go on each one. I had a ball picking out who would be with which bottle. Clearly, Dad had to be Santa and Mom had to be Mrs. Claus. I gave myself “Someone Naughty” because it’s only fair, and Paul I gave “Under the Mistletoe, because, well, you know…;)

We’ve provided everything you will need to create this scene including the free downloads of the village. All you need now is to print it off, add some adornment, and get some Cokes.

How to create the Blast from the Past village for your holiday party

Materials:

pictures (free download here)
paper stands (for the backs of the houses–download here)
acrylic paints
paint markers
watercolor
paintbrush
bells
little bows
twine
craft knife
glue
fake snow

Instructions:

Print out the pictures of the village complete with various sized trees, houses, cars, snowman. I’d suggest printing it on heavy cardstock. As heavy as you can get.
Print out the holders that will attach to the back of each item.
Cut around the tree or house you’d like in your scene.
With acrylic paints or paint markers (much easier!) create some fun designs. We did some big polka dots, stripes, and light strands on top to create a fun, whimsical city.
To create the solid blocks of color, water down your paints or use watercolors, and lightly paint over it. I’d suggest painting both sides and then sticking them within paper towels of office paper and in between heavy books to dry out, otherwise the pages will curl up.
Cut out the stands and glue them to the backs of the images.
Set the images on the table and surround with snow.

How to create the Share a Coke bottle name tags

Materials:

pictures of your family
circle punch
hole punch
twine
bells
ribbons

Instructions:

Print off the pictures of your family in black and white.
Use the circle punch to create a clean circle shape.
Use a hole punch on the side of each tag.
Slide a piece of twine through and wrap around the Coke bottle.
Adorn with bells and ribbons.

Sip and enjoy! (And don’t forget to share a coke during your holiday party)!

And if you’re looking for alternative ways to celebrate the holidays with the Share a Coke campaign, I love this gold themed party. Tons of gold foil fans with gold accents everywhere!