How to Throw the Ultimate DIY Gilmore Girls Viewing Party
Oy with the poodles already! Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is just weeks away, and we couldn’t be more excited to FINALLY return to Stars Hollow. In the 10 years since Gilmore Girls ended, fans have had plenty of time to rewatch, fine-tune theories and swoon over their favorite boyfriend, but we can finally celebrate its return with the ultimate Gilmore Girls viewing party.
Every Gilmore fan knows that junk food is a huge part of the show, so don’t be afraid to go a little wild! We went with a brunch spread: donuts, pop tarts and, of course, COFFEE. Or try pizza, Chinese take-out, burgers and maybe even devilled eggs (sorry, Jess!) for an evening in with the Gilmores. Keep scrolling to see the DIY details!
Team Jess, Team Dean or Team Logan? DIY these simple felt pennants so that every guest can root for their favorite boyfriend. #TeamJess ;)
Materials and Tools:
- colored felt
- craft foam sheets
- white glue
- double-sided tape (optional)
- chalk
- scissors
- hot glue gun
- wooden dowels
- triangle-shaped paper template
Instructions:
- Use a piece of chalk to trace your paper template onto felt and cut out.
- To stiffen the pennant, use white glue or double-sided tape to attach the felt triangle onto the craft foam and cut out.
- Cut letters out of contrasting felt to spell out your favorite boyfriend’s name. It helps to cut the felt into rough blocks to figure out the spacing, and to then cut the letters from those blocks.
- Use white glue to attach the letters onto the pennant.
- Hot glue the wooden dowel onto the back of the pennant.
Use chalk to trace your paper template onto felt and cut out. Our paper triangle was about 11 inches long with a 6 1/2-inch base.
To stiffen the pennant, use double-sided tape or white glue to attach the felt triangle onto the craft foam. Cut it out along the edges.
Cut letters out of contrasting felt to spell out your favorite boyfriend’s name. It can help to first cut the felt into squares to figure out the best spacing within the pennant, and then to cut the letters from those felt squares. Our pennants say Team Jess, Team Dean and Team Logan, but you can write whatever you like: Luke’s Diner, Pop Tarts Forever, Copper Boom or Say Yes to the Jess would all be fun too!
Next, use white glue to carefully attach the letters onto the pennant.
And finally, hot glue a wooden dowel onto the back of each pennant.
And is it really a party without decorations? Make this simple garland inspired by the show’s iconic opening credits. We used glitter for a bit of Stars Hollow sparkle. ;)
Materials and Tools:
- Cricut and accessories
- glitter cardstock
- scissors
- tape
- string
- tape measure
Instructions:
- Measure out the area where you want to hang your garland and figure out how large each letter of the garland can be — our letters are almost 3 inches tall. Lay out the letters in the Cricut’s software until you’re happy, and then cut the letters out of glitter paper.
- Tape the letters onto the string, spacing them evenly. We put “where you lead” on one strand and “I will follow” on another. Hang on your wall with streamers and other garlands for a festive look.
Measure out the area where you want to hang your garland and figure out how large each letter of the garland can be — our letters are almost three inches tall. Lay out the letters in the Cricut’s software until you’re happy, and then cut the letters out of glitter paper. If you don’t have a Cricut or similar paper cutter, try doing this by hand instead. It may take a little bit longer, but print your letters onto paper, trace them onto the back of the glitter cardstock and cut out using a craft knife and cutting mat.
Tape the backs of the cut-out letters onto a piece of string, spacing them evenly. We put “where you lead” on one strand and “I will follow” on another. Hang on your wall with streamers and other garlands for a festive look that would make Stars Hollow proud.
Don’t worry — we didn’t forget pop tarts! We turned Lorelai and Rory’s snack of choice into mini piñatas and filled them with even more candy! They’d be perfect party favors for guests, no?
Materials and Tools:
- thin cardboard
- colored crepe paper
- tape
- white glue
- scissors
- pencil
- ruler
- colored cardstock
Instructions:
- Cut two 3 1/2 x 5-inch cardboard rectangles, as well as a few strips that are 3/4-inch wide.
- Tape the 3/4-inch strip around the first cardboard rectangle, leaving a 2-inch gap on the bottom.
- Tape the second cardboard rectangle on top and fill the piñata with treats and candy!
- Cut a piece of tan crepe paper to cover the opening and tape in place.
- Cut a 3/4-inch piece off the end of the tan crepe paper and fringe one edge. Starting at the bottom, use horizontal lines of white glue to attach the fringe onto the pop tart. Leave the front center plain for now.
- Fill in the center area with fringed pink crepe paper for the pop tart’s icing.
- Cut colored cardstock into sprinkles and glue onto the icing.
Cut two 3 1/2 x 5-inch cardboard rectangles, as well as a few strips that are 3/4-inch wide. Tape the 3/4-inch strip around the first cardboard rectangle, leaving a two-inch gap on the bottom. Tape the second cardboard rectangle on top and fill the piñata with treats and candy! Cut a piece of tan crepe paper to cover the opening and tape in place.
Cut a 3/4-inch piece off the end of the tan crepe paper and fringe along one edge. Starting at the bottom, use horizontal lines of white glue to attach the fringe onto the pop tart. Leave the front center area empty for now.
Fill in the empty center area with fringed pink crepe paper in the same way that you attached the tan crepe paper. This pink spot will be the pop tart’s icing!
And the final touch: Cut colored cardstock into sprinkles and glue them onto the icing.
We want ALL the Pop Tarts.
Are you planning to binge watch all four new episodes on November 25? Let us know on Twitter @BritandCo, and be sure to check out our Pinterest for more party decor ideas. Copper boom!
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