(Note: I was chosen to host a party as part of a #SoapboxInfluenceCampaign andย compensated to do so. Opinions are my own.)
Today I’m excited to share with you my recipe for a book launch party. It’s a failsafe recipe inย my opinion with classicย ingredients that will culminate in a deliciousย time for all. The recipeย involves Ghirardelli Chocolate and Josh Cellars wine (#ASweetPairing) along with a few other magical elements.
The main ingredient is the hardest to come by. A newly published book. If you haven’t written a book, I have the perfect substitution for you. Have a book club party instead. Choose a book to read and discussย (might I suggest The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee?) and follow the simple recipe below.
Recipe for a Book Launch Party
Ingredients
- 1 newly published book
- a few tastefully themed decorations
- 2-3 creative hashtags
- 1 gift bag per guest
- other gift bag goodies
- an assortment of Ghirardelli Chocolate
- a selection of cheese crackers, nuts (salty to offset the sweet)
- 10-20 fun friends
- 2 miniature schnauzers to elevate the cute factor
- music optional
Notes
Rating: โฅโฅโฅโฅโฅ
Here’s a little more detail…
DECOR
Since The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee is set in the Mississippi Delta of Arkansas and Gracie Lee’sย Daddy was a farmer, I decorated with cotton. Arranged in copper pots and Mason jars, cotton stalks added just the right touch, and since I have cotton on hand, it was a simple decoration for me. I alsoย added a vase of fresh flowers because, really, every partyย calls for fresh flowers. For your party, select simple decor to tie in with the setting of the book.
I set out bowls of “I’m with Gracie Lee” pins because pins are in and fun for all ages. Tip: Midwest Buttonsย is the place to get pins. Thanks for the recommendation, Sarah Shotts!
FOOD & WINE
Chocolate should always be showcased so I pulled out all my favorite vintage platters. And like any good hostess, I sampled before serving.?ย Tip:ย You can’t have too much Ghirardelli on hand. Ghirardelli comes in aย variety of flavors, and theย individually wrapped squares are perfect for a partyโno muss, no fuss.
I set up a self-serve wine area on a corner of the kitchen counter complete with wine glasses, several wine bottle openers, and napkins. If you’re lucky like me, your sister-in-law will see to it that everyone’s glass remainsย filled while you attend to other things like the Virtual Facebook Party happening onlineโanother post for another day. (Remember to drink responsibly y’all.) We sampled five varieties of Josh Cellarsโcabernet, merlot, pinot noir, a red blend, and chardonnay. Although I’m no wine expert, the Pinot Noir was my favorite with the decadent Ghirardelli.
In addition to the featured Josh Cellars wine and Ghirardelli chocolate, I included extra sustenance such as plain crackers, salty nuts and a variety of cheeses. These foods also cleanse the palateย between chocolate and wine tastings. Tip: For easy shopping, you can pick up both Ghirardelli and Josh Cellars at Walmartโscore!
FRIENDS & FUN
Take lots of pictures and encourage everyone to take pics as well. Spread your party across social media with specially selected hashtags. In the case of my party, we used #GracieLee #AccidentalSalvation #MustRead #ASweetPairing. Tip: Invite bloggers and this will take care of itself.
Make sure everyone leaves with a party favor to mark the occasion, after all, a first book only happens once. For my party, I assembled gift bags with pre-ordered copies of myย books, along with a few other related goodies like a bookmark, a “What Would Gracie Lee Do?” journal, and more Ghirardelli chocolate to enjoy while reading.
Furry friends like to get in on the action, too. After all, they’ve enduredย enjoyed the writing of the book as much as anyone. (Of course, no chocolate for them…)
Thanks to all my friends who made this special time even more special. And thanks to Kendal King Group, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Josh Cellars for taking it up a notch.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Barnes & Noble / Nook
[tweetthis]Delicious #booklaunch recipe @LoveGhirardelli @joshcellars @KendalKingGroup #ASweetPairing #AccidentalSalvation #ad[/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Michael Buble, I’ve Got You Under My Skin
You definitely know how to launch a book, AND you definitely know how to throw a party.
what a fun idea!!!
Congratulations! And what a wonderful event. Looks like everyone enjoyed and I felt like I was attending vicariously through this post. ๐
Looks wonderful — especially the chocolate! Well done!
I know it was a blast. A little jealous I’m too far away to be there, but not too. You’re really setting the bar high for other book launchers, but you’re also sharing your knowledge, which is priceless.
Congratulations on your new book AND for the party. I’ve never mastered the art of a book launch so you’ve given me some ideas about how to make it fun. Thank you!
Congratulations! I love the gift bags at the launch party.
Thank you! They were fun to make. I think I should be a party planner:)
This was such a fun and special time. I’m so glad I got to share in it with you and Grace Lee! I’m a Pinot Grigio girl myself:)
Thanks Debbie. I was so honored that you made the drive to Fayettevilleโand with Ghirardelli cupcakes!