I have wanted to host a bulb planting activity after last winter when I did my own planting solo. I thought this would be much more enjoyable with friends as is everything in life. I did it early November and realized the best timing is October so the blooms will happen during hosting months, also I want these to bloom earlier in December! So this is how this winter bulb planting evening came to be — a small, last-minute gathering that ended up feeling like exactly what we all needed.
I’m sharing this now because you still have time to organize one – if I did it under two weeks you can too! Especially with a quick ship of bulbs that I found online!
Originally, I had dreamed of a big group — friends and hostesses gathered around the table outdoors, hands in soil, laughter enjoying the outdoors, open house style on a brisk afternoon. But as life is where it is now, a stretch of gray days, and my mind unable to make plans too far ahead (grief of losing my dad), the big plan became something smaller and simpler. And the weather hasn’t truly cooled down in Phoenix and there are mosquitoes everywhere! My friend Erika, after an afternoon together, suggested a casual get together and wanted to co-host and I thought, this will be a good time to plant. She brought two large pizzas and drinks, Brittany brought dessert, and I had the activity and began sending the invites!
Sometimes, the most beautiful gatherings are the ones that happen when we release perfection and just say, “Come over in cozy clothes for girl time.” Because it really is about connection over perfection, it’s just time to spend together, cry, share stories, bond, then do a fun activity because why not! And you know hosting is my love language.
Ordering the Bulbs
A week and a few days before, I ordered bulbs from The Home Depot — they always have a wide selection of amaryllis and paperwhites, my favorites for winter blooms. One tip I learned: make sure to check the shipping timeline before you order. Some retailers schedule bulb shipments by region or month, so they might not send them until a specific date. The Home Depot, though, offers several options that ship immediately (it will say the delivery date), which was perfect for my last-minute plan.
I chose a mix of bright red and soft white amaryllis bulbs, and plenty of paperwhites. Note: Don’t plant them together because the paperwhites bloom sometimes much more sooner than the Amaryllis. I made this mistake last year and I didn’t like the way it looked.
I let my guests decide which bulb they wanted to plant, all they had to do is bring a favorite planter if they wanted to, and I would provide all the rest for them. I will tell you that everyone planted an amaryllis bulb. :) I love to host and it is my way to say thanks for showing up for me, being a friend, and having been through a lot this summer this is what I needed.
Side note: Hospitality is a spiritual gift from the Lord and if you have been given that gift, use it, without expecting every guest to host you in return, because all of our gifts are different. These friends of mine have done so much for me in their own ways to help me through a tough season in my life.
Setting the Scene
For a gathering like this, you don’t need much. I cleared off the dining table and covered it with a tablecloth to make cleanup easy. A few candles flickered in the background, and I placed bowls of the bulbs with instructions, indoor potting mix (this order of two bags would be enough for about a dozen guests), gardening gloves, moss (this color was most popular some some mixed them), pebbles, and a watering can, like a crafting buffet.
Because this came together quickly, I told my friends to BYOP: Bring Your Own Planter. I did have some extra because well, I’m a gardener and I also have a habit of keeping too much so if no one had a planter I had one to offer! The mix of shapes and styles actually made the table look more charming.
If you want to keep things simple, you can also provide small terra cotta pots. I like to plant one amaryllis bulb per pot, or four paperwhite bulbs together . Before everyone arrived, I prepped little kits — each wrapped with a bulb, and a note about how to care for it once planted.
Planting Together
The steps are simple — fill your pot halfway with soil, nestle the bulb so the top third peeks out, and water just enough to moisten. Paperwhites can even grow without soil — just pebbles and water to the base of the bulb but I prefer soil and adding some rocks on top then moss.
We tied ribbons around the pots when we finished. Bulbs will take 4-6 weeks to sprout and maybe 8 weeks to bloom which will be perfect when the holiday hosting begins! It may be sooner depending on where the pots are placed and it is warm in Phoenix.
Little Touches That Make It Feel Special
Even though this gathering was last-minute, I added a few small touches that made it feel intentional. A pot of season spices simmered on the stove, filling the house with the scent of cinnamon and cloves. I used a fall-ish tablecloth from Zara Home and laid out the materials in a pretty way so my guests know they were thought of ahead of time. I think when we set tables or stations it shows our guests, hey I thought about you and you’re special to me, thanks for making the time to come over!
I printed small cards with care instructions — “Keep in bright light, water lightly, and watch for blooms in 4–6 weeks.”
If you want to turn this into a bigger event later in the season, you could easily scale it up — maybe a “Blooms and Brunch” theme, or a holiday version with evergreens tucked around the pots. But there’s something lovely about starting small.
I hope to make this larger, but one could always host different evenings to let friends choose which one they’d like to attend if you prefer smaller gatherings.
The Joy of Slow Blooms
I can’t wait to get texts from my friends — “Mine sprouted!” or “Look at this bloom!”
You could also make a contest, the one whose blooms first wins a prize!
Watching the bulbs grow became a shared joy that stretched beyond that evening. It was exactly what my hostess heart needed, thanks Erika for the push and bringing the food! I appreciate friends helping me get started to get back to life even when I’m struggling and missing my dad.
How to Host Your Own Winter Bulb Party
If you’d like to create your own version, here’s a simple guide:
1. Choose your bulbs.
Amaryllis and paperwhites are easy and reliable. Order early from a retailer like The Home Depot, and double-check that they ship immediately rather than on a pre-scheduled date. Order here.
2. Gather your materials.
You’ll need indoor potting soil, small planters or bowls, garden gloves, a watering can, a few decorative ribbons or moss, rocks, and a waterproof table covering.
3. Decide on BYOP or provided pots.
Let guests bring their own small vessel, or pick up inexpensive pots to have ready. The Dollar Tree will have some basic pots make sure they are large enough.
4. Create planting kits.
Wrap each bulb in tissue or newspaper with a little tag or care card.
5. Keep it cozy.
Play festive music, provide cozy socks (I love cozy socks and bought some at Marshall’s they have Laura Ashley) and let the guests know what the attire is. I love a formal party but I also love casual and cozy! After all, we have dirt involved!
6. Enjoy the afterglow.
The best part of this party is what comes after — the blooms that stretch up from the soil weeks later, reminding everyone of the time spent together. Make it a competition with a prize if you wish to keep everyone engaged after the party!
Sometimes, hospitality isn’t about elaborate menus or perfect timing — it’s about making space, even at the last minute, to share something meaningful.
This winter bulb planting party wasn’t what I first imagined — it was smaller. But in that simplicity, I found what I always hope for when I gather friends: the best company, deep meaningful conversation and some much needed time of gathering. I love seeing my friends make connections with each other and every minute you spend with friends is an smart investment into the future because we grow old with each other and need each other as life moves on and we have happy and sad times. I’m so grateful for a wonderful evening with sweet company!
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