Our Very Own Canning Party 

We hosted a lovely canning party recently! Where my mother and mother-in-law were able to pass down their expertise and knowledge and teach another two generations how to can. It was a great way to spend an afternoon, resulting in many lovely spoils!

 

Sometimes a few extra touches turn the everyday into a party

 

 

Everyone is busy. This is life. So the idea of making it a canning ‘party’ instead of just one or two of us canning in the kitchen for the afternoon appealed to me. And many hands make light work and for many more laughs and memories too!

 

A Party Without Cake is Just a Meeting 

                                                                                     -Julia Child

I am not one to resist a good theme, so the girls and I layered lemon sheet cake, fresh blackberries and whipped cream into 1 cup mason jars to make individual cake servings.  Then we piped a single mauve rose and a few leaves on top to gussy things up bit. They were so cute and it definitely helped turn the corner on making it a true ‘party’!

 

It’s in the details!

 

I provided freshly laundered aprons in a variety of sizes and patterns for the guests to choose from (canning is messy work after all).

I played up the detail of the mason jars and made individual layered cakes in jam jars, each topped with a little piped flower to welcome guests and make things a little more special.

We had red and white gingham napkins, a cheerful cake stand and little baskets to take home preserves in. 

We used large platters and vases to organize the fruit and keep it handy. All in all it was a wonderful afternoon (with a delicious outcome)!!!

Ideas For Hosting Your Own Canning Party:

Foremost the supplies are needed. Mine were graciously supplied by Bernardin through a test campaign I was doing.

They have a terrific Home Canning Starter Kit or 4-Piece Canning Tool that is great for getting ones started.

Decide on the fruit.

Buy the jars (extra jars are not a bad thing).

Invite those with knowledge and expertise. This is great activity for grandmothers and grandchildren (over the age of 5).

Make it a family affair.

Involve the kids.

Share stories and laughter.

Many hands make for light work.

Have compost bowls and paring knives handy.

Choose your recipes. Or ask friends and family to bring their family favourites.

Have fun!!