45 Dahlia Party Ideas: Food, Decorations, Games, Favors

Get a fabulous selection of dahlia party ideas here. Whether you are looking for dahlia party theme ideas for a birthday, bridal shower, baby shower, tea party, dinner party, lunch, or brunch, this list of dahlia party ideas has got you covered. You will find dahlia party invitations (including a free editable printable), dahlia party decorations, dahlia party food, dahlia party games (free printable included), dahlia party activities, and ideas for dahlia party favors. As a veteran member of school and church social committees, I have planned and attended a plethora of fun party functions. Ready for some simple, creative dahlia party theme ideas? Read on for some dahlia party inspiration!

Why I Love the Dahlia Party Theme

I love to grow dahlias, and if you have an abundance of something that you grow in the garden, it’s fun to throw a party using that item as a theme. (Zucchini party, anyone? Hee hee!) On our little farm, we have been blessed from time to time with bountiful crops of blueberries, apples, and sunflowers,  which make excellent party themes. When you have something growing in your garden, you already have ready-made, inexpensive decorations at your fingertips. With so many dahlias blooming in the summer and into the fall, I have colorful party inspiration all around me. Perhaps you do as well. What better way to celebrate the summer-into-fall season? Let’s get started!

Dahlia Party Ideas: Invitations

Get some free dahlia party invitations. You can easily customize the text when you make your own copy of the file in Google Slides. Edit and print out as many as you need.

For other dahlia-themed party invitations, here are some creative DIY ideas. These ideas can be adapted to either digital or printed invitations depending on your needs. Many can be created using free graphic design programs like Canva or VistaCreate.

Dahlia Watercolor Design: Use soft, pastel watercolor illustrations of dahlias as the main visual. Include different varieties and colors of dahlias around the border, with elegant, cursive font for the text.

Bold Floral Collage: Create a vibrant collage of dahlias in various stages of bloom as the background, with the party details in a contrasting color box in the center. This gives a modern, lively feel to the invitation.

Vintage Botanical: Design the invitation with a vintage botanical illustration style. The background could be a subtle parchment or aged paper texture. The Graphics Fairy has great vintage dahlia images you can download.

Minimalist Dahlia: If you prefer a simpler look, focus on a single dahlia flower in the center of the invitation. Use a clean, minimalistic layout with plenty of white space and delicate fonts for an elegant feel.

Dahlia Frame: Create a frame of dahlia flowers around the edges of the invitation. The flowers could be in a variety of colors or a monochromatic scheme depending on the party’s theme. Place the text inside this floral frame with a light, airy font.

Pop-up Invitation: For a physical invite, consider a pop-up design where a dahlia flower pops out when the card is opened. This adds an element of surprise and elegance.

Dahlia Party Ideas: Decorations

Creating a dahlia-themed party can be visually stunning, with decorations that highlight the beauty and elegance of these flowers. If you grow your own dahlias, keep your decorations budget-friendly by using blooms from your own garden. Here are some simple ideas for dahlia-themed party decorations:

Dahlia Centerpieces: Arrange fresh dahlias in vases of varying heights and styles as the centerpiece for each table. Mix in greenery and other complementary flowers to add texture. You can also use natural containers from the garden, like hollowed-out pumpkins. Get the directions here.

Dahlia Flower Wall: Create a flower wall as a backdrop using paper dahlias, artificial flowers, fresh blooms, ore even a dahlia shower curtain. This can be used as a photo backdrop or behind the main table.

Dahlia Garland: String together dahlia flowers, either real or artificial, to create a garland. Hang these along the edges of tables, doorways, or across the ceiling. Combine with fairy lights or greenery to add a magical touch.

Hanging Dahlia Decorations: Hang paper or fabric dahlia flowers from the ceiling to create a floating garden effect. Vary the sizes and colors for visual interest. Use transparent fishing line to make the flowers appear to float in mid-air.

Dahlia-Themed Table Settings: Use dahlia-patterned napkins, tablecloths, or placemats. Place a single dahlia bloom on each plate as a beautiful and simple touch. Incorporate dahlia motifs on the menu cards or place cards.

Dahlia Lanterns or Luminaries: Use lanterns decorated with dahlia cutouts or patterns. Place them along walkways, on tables, or hang them from trees for evening events. Use LED candles inside for a soft glow that complements the flowers.

Dahlia Balloon Arch: Create an arch or garland with balloons in dahlia colors (pinks, purples, oranges, yellows) and mix in artificial dahlia flowers. Place the arch at the entrance to the party or around a photo booth area.

Dahlia Wreaths: Hang dahlia wreaths on doors or walls. These can be made from fresh flowers, silk flowers, or paper dahlias, depending on your preference. Add ribbons or small lights to the wreaths for an extra decorative touch.

Flower Pot Favors: Decorate the party space with small potted dahlias, which can double as party favors for guests to take home. Customize the pots with guests’ names or messages related to the party theme.

Dahlia-Themed Signage: Use signs decorated with dahlia illustrations or actual flowers to label different areas of the party, like the buffet, dessert table, or gift area. Use elegant calligraphy or rustic wooden boards to suit the style of your event.

Dahlia Table Runners: Create table runners made from fresh or artificial dahlia flowers, or use fabric with a dahlia print. This will add color and texture to your tables. Coordinate the table runner with matching napkins and plates for a cohesive look.

Dahlia Party Ideas: Food

A dahlia-themed party can be beautifully complemented by food that reflects the colors, shapes, and elegance of dahlias. Dahlias are edible, so make colorful embellishments to party food. Here are some ideas for dahlia-inspired dishes:

Dahlia Cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with real dahlia blossoms. You can also decorate with frosting piped to resemble dahlia petals, but using fresh dahlias is much easier. Consider floral-inspired cupcake flavors like lavender, rose, or vanilla.

Floral Macarons: Create macarons in shades of dahlia flowers. You can pipe the filling in a similar shape to dahlia petals or use edible flower decorations on top. Fill with fruity or floral flavors like raspberry, lemon, or elderflower.

Dahlia Cookie Bouquet: Make sugar cookies in the shape of dahlia flowers and arrange them in a bouquet or as edible centerpieces. Use a vanilla or almond base for the cookies, with royal icing for decoration.

Floral Fruit Platter: Arrange fruits like strawberries, mango slices, and kiwi in the shape of a large dahlia. The vibrant colors of the fruits will mimic the flower’s appearance. Add the edible blooms from dahlias for an extra touch of floral elegance.

Dahlia-Inspired Salad: Create a salad that visually represents a dahlia, with layers of thinly sliced beets, carrots, and radishes arranged in a flower pattern. Serve with a light citrus vinaigrette.

Floral-Themed Punch: Serve punch garnished with edible flowers or use flower-shaped ice cubes. Offer drinks like a lavender lemonade, hibiscus tea, or elderflower spritz.

Petal-Decorated Cake: Decorate a cake with buttercream and dahlia blooms or a deconstructed dahlia blossom with petals arranged to resemble a large dahlia. The cake could be a centerpiece of the dessert table. Consider a light, floral flavor such as lemon-elderflower or a simple vanilla sponge with a floral twist.

Dahlia Tea Sandwiches: Use a cookie cutter to shape bread into flowers, and layer with colorful fillings like beet hummus, cucumber, and smoked salmon. Arrange them on a platter to resemble a bouquet.

Dahlia Party Ideas: Games and Activities

Incorporating games that align with the dahlia theme can add a fun and unique touch to your party. Here are some dahlia-themed party games:

Dahlia Flower Arranging Contest: Provide guests with various flowers, including dahlias, and arranging supplies like vases, floral foam, and scissors. Participants create their own flower arrangements within a set time. You can have different categories, such as “Most Creative” or “Best Use of Dahlias.” Offer a small prize like a gardening kit or a bouquet of fresh dahlias.

Pin the Petal on the Dahlia: Create a large poster of a dahlia flower with missing petals. Make separate paper petals for guests to “pin” onto the flower while blindfolded. Similar to “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” the goal is to place the petal as close to the correct spot as possible. Provide a small plant or a flower-themed accessory as a prize.

Dahlia Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where guests search for items or clues related to dahlias and flowers. Items could include flower pots, gardening tools, or specific dahlia varieties. The first person or team to find all the items wins, and a potted dahlia plant or a garden-themed gift basket can be offered as a prize.

Flower Petal Toss: Create a target or series of targets with varying point values. Provide guests with artificial flower petals (or bean bags shaped like petals) to toss. Guests try to score the most points by landing the petals in or on the targets. For a prize, guests may like a set of flower-themed stationery or a floral-scented candle.

Dahlia Bingo: Create custom bingo cards featuring different names of dahlias. To get ideas for names, visit dahlia grower websites. As you call out items, guests mark them off on their cards. The first to complete a row wins a dahlia bulb or a small gardening tool.

Flower Pot Painting: Provide small terra cotta pots, paints, brushes, and stencils or stickers of dahlia designs. Guests decorate their own flower pots, which they can take home as a party favor.

Musical Flowers: Similar to musical chairs, but instead of chairs, use flower-shaped mats, pillows, or cutouts. When the music stops, guests must find a flower to stand on. Remove one flower each round until only one player remains, winning a bouquet of dahlias or a small flower-shaped trinket. Here is a printable you can use for a musical flowers game or as wall decor. Just click on the image to access the file.

Get the free printable graphic!

Choose Your Favorite Dahlias: If you have quite a few dahlias growing in your garden, invite guests to walk around and choose their favorite dahlias. Give each guest a small paper bag and marker to write down the names of their favorites. Guests can return the bags to the party host, and when the dahlias are divided later, the host can set aside tubers that correspond to the guests’ choices. It could be a belated party favor!

Dahlia Party Ideas: Party Favors

Dahlia-themed party favors can be a delightful way to thank your guests and leave them with a memorable keepsake. Here are some ideas that tie into the dahlia theme:

Mini Potted Dahlias: Gift guests with small potted dahlia plants. These can be real dahlias that guests can take home and plant in their garden or display indoors. Decorate the pots with ribbon, and attach a tag with a thank you message or care instructions.

Dahlia Tubers or Seeds: Provide dahlia tubers (see Choose Your Favorite Dahlia activity above) or seed packets as favors. Guests can plant them at home and watch their own dahlias grow, reminding them of your event. Place the tubers or seed packets in a small burlap bag or box, tied with a ribbon, and labeled with a personalized message.

Dahlia-Printed Tote Bags: Gift reusable tote bags printed with dahlia flowers or a floral pattern.

Mini Dahlia Bouquets: Give each guest a mini bouquet to take home at the end of the party. Guests can choose their favorite arrangement. Small glass jelly jars make ideal mini bouquet containers.

Dahlia-Themed Soaps: Offer handmade soaps shaped like dahlias or infused with dahlia-inspired fragrances. Wrap the soaps in tissue paper and place them in small gift boxes, decorated with a dahlia sticker or ribbon.

Personalized Flowerpots: Give guests small, personalized flowerpots that they can use to plant their own flowers. Paint the pots with each guest’s name or a dahlia design, and include a packet of seeds.

Floral Bath Bombs: Provide guests with bath bombs in the shape of dahlias or infused with floral scents. Package them in small boxes or organza bags with a thank-you tag.

Dahlia-Printed Stationery: Gift a set of dahlia-themed stationery, such as notepads, cards, or journals, featuring beautiful dahlia illustrations. Tie the stationery together with twine or ribbon, and include a personalized message.

Dahlia Cookie Kits: Offer DIY cookie decorating kits with dahlia-shaped cookie cutters, icing, and sprinkles. Package the kits in small boxes or bags, with a label that reads “Decorate Your Own Dahlia.”

Dahlia-Themed Magnets: Create or purchase magnets featuring dahlia designs. These could be hand-painted or printed with vibrant images of dahlias. Present them in small gift bags with a thank-you card.

Free Floral Party Planner

Organizing a party takes planning. Whether you are planning a sunflower-themed party, a lemon-themed party, an apple-themed party, a butterfly-themed party, or a tea party, here’s a FREE monthly planner you can use to plan your sunflower-themed party or any other event. Use it throughout the year to keep daily, weekly, and monthly tasks organized. Since it’s undated, you can print out a new planner each year or anytime you need a fresh place to put your ideas. Get it here!

Get the floral planner!

Have fun planning a dahlia-themed party. May all of your party planning endeavors meet with great success!

 

Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to host tea parties and other functions. When the weather allows, she enjoys entertaining outdoors on the grounds of her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the Welcome page.

 

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