Making a vision board sounds like a good idea. But it sounds like a lot of work, too. Am I right? Don’t put it off any longer! To draw more of what you want into your life and ensure your vision board gets made, host a vision board party.
As someone who has attended and hosted many vision board parties, and has even taught a vision board workshop, I am a big believer in gathering with others to create vision boards. These events are a great way to define your best life while helping others realize their dreams. They're a whole lot of fun, too! Whether you're making boards with friends, family or kids — follow these vision board party tips for an inspirational and entertaining event.
What Is a Vision Board
A vision board is a collage that uses the law of attraction to draw more of what you want into your life. Even if you don't believe in the law of attraction, making a vision board helps to define goals in a fun and creative way.
Vision boards can focus on something specific like career, love life, or the upcoming year. Or, you can make a board that encompasses your general life intentions.
To make a vision board that will help you achieve your aims, first cut pictures and phrases out of magazines that represent your desires. You can also print images from websites or include your own photos in the collage.
Next, glue the images and words onto a piece of poster board and place it somewhere you can see it on a regular basis. (Mine is hanging in my walk-in closet.) Then sit back and wait for the magic to happen!
Why Host a Vision Board Party
Throwing a vision board party provides motivation to set aside the time needed to create a vision board to draw positive things into your life. Plus, you will have more magazines from which to select your images and phrases. And it's a great excuse to get friends or family together!
How to Plan a Vision Board Party
When planning your vision board party, keep the number of attendees to a manageable number. I suggest inviting four to twelve friends, or however many can comfortably fit around your kitchen or dining room table.
Be sure not to invite any Debbie Downers to the shindig, either. You don’t need that kind of energy messing up everyone's vision boards!
My advice is to skip paper invitations and just send an email invite. The point is to de-stress your life, not add more unneeded tasks.
In your email invitations, you should request a few things. Ask each guest to bring a stack of old magazines and their own pair of scissors.
Vision Board Supplies to Buy
- A bunch of glue sticks.
- Lots of pairs of scissors and a pair of left-handed scissors for the lefties in your life.
- One poster board per person (and a few extras in case of mistakes).
- Snacks and drinks to share.
- Extra magazines.
- For extra flair, get some stick-on poster letters and inspirational phrases.
If you'll be making just a few vision boards, you could get a vision board craft kit for each party member.
When to Host Your Party
The start of a new year is a wonderful time to throw a vision board party. Or, you could make boards to celebrate a birthday, graduation or other momentous life change.
You need not wait for a specific reason, though. Any time is a good time to get together with friends or family to focus on life goals and happiness during a vision board party!
Whereas food and drinks are often the focal point of a typical shindig, the main goal of a vision board party is to create a positive physical representation of what you and your guests want out of life. To keep the focus on the boards, steer clear of hosting your event during mealtimes. Instead, choose a late morning, mid-afternoon, or post-dinner start time.
Food and Drink Suggestions
Since hands will be busy flipping through magazines, cutting out images, and gluing things onto poster boards, stick with simple snacks that don't make a lot of mess. Suggestions include hard cheeses, crackers, grapes, sliced apples, olives, and cookies.
To simplify things further for you as the host, you might ask everyone to bring an appetizer, dessert, or drink to share instead.
For a festive party with adult attendees, you may want to serve mimosas for a morning party or wine and beer at a later party. No matter the age of attendees, it's always a good idea to have some fun non-alcoholic drinks on hand like sparkling water, juice and craft sodas. Put drinks in ice buckets so guests can serve themselves.
What to Do at a Vision Board Party
To kick off your party, start with introductions and intentions. Go around the table and have all attendees state their names and what they hope to achieve with their vision board.
For example, the primary purposes for my latest vision board were to find more: work-life balance, connection with my kids, time in nature, healthy living, and, of course, travel.
After setting intentions, get to work. Clip those magazines to pieces. Meanwhile, eat, drink and be merry with your fellow vision board makers!
How to Make a Vision Board
I suggest laying out a general design for your board before you start gluing. You might also want to put a strong image of your central intention in the middle of your board.
On one of my boards, the center image is of a woman with arms outstretched, across which I pasted the word, “inspiring.” For me, this represents inner peace, confidence, and creativity.
You should also leave some blank space. This gives room to add additional images as you find them. Plus the white space allows room for serenity on your board. If there is too much chaos, you might just draw chaos to your life!
Be sure to paste everything onto the poster boards AT THE PARTY! At my first vision board party, some of my friends had to leave early and took their clippings and boards home separately. Of course, they intended to glue the pictures to their poster boards. That was years ago and I know at least one friend who has never finished her board.
Tips for Hosting a Vision Board Party with Kids
Making vision boards with kids is a wonderful way to help children focus on being positive. This activity can also give kids a sense of empowerment over how they want to live their lives.
Without guidance, children may look at this as merely an opportunity to make a pretty collage. They might just cut out a lot of images of material things like toys and candy instead of focusing on what truly matters to them.
When hosting a vision board party with children, you may need to help kids define what types of things they want to paste to their boards and assist them in finding appropriate pictures.
Vision Board Questions to Ask Kids
- What do you like to do for fun with your friends and family?
- What are three goals you'd like to achieve (this year/in your life)?
- At what activity, sport, or school subject would you like to improve?
- What would a really happy day look like for you?
- If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
- Do you have a favorite animal, color, or food that you'd like to add to your board?
- Is there someone you really admire? Who and why?
Once kids have defined some goals and things that bring them joy, adult participants can help them find images that match these. Point out relevant pictures that you find, but leave it up to kids to decide if they belong on their boards. Kids should feel ownership and pride in their creations. Only they know what belongs in their vision.
Be Open to How Your Visions Are Realized
Once you create a vision board to help define what you want in your life, you should work toward your goals but understand that your desires might manifest in different ways than you imagined. I originally wrote this post in June 2010. Here are some updates on how my original vision board has turned into realities in my life.
After I had to cancel a long-anticipated family Disney Cruise for financial reasons, I added a photo of a Disney ship to my vision board. At bedtime some nights, I also asked my young daughter to picture our whole family on board a cruise ship, dancing with Mickey Mouse. It wasn't the itinerary I had originally wanted, and we still couldn't afford to book the cruise ourselves, but the cruise came to us anyway, and in grand fashion too. Read about how this dream came true for my family.
I also added a photo of Oprah Winfrey to my original board because this media queen starred in three of my bucket list wishes. Bucket lists are another great tool for defining and drawing what you want into your life. The three wishes were: 1) Be a part of Oprah's audience; 2) Meet Oprah: and 3) Be featured on Oprah's show. In a way, all three of my Oprah bucket list wishes came true. Again, these weren't realized exactly how I envisioned, but you don't necessarily get to choose the “how” portion of your visualizations. Read more about how my Oprah dreams came true.
Time for Another Party!
As time moves on, our goals and desires change. Even if you've made a vision board in the past, you may consider making another one. I have made several vision boards and each one is special in different ways.
You might consider making your vision party an annual event and taking turns hosting it. Be sure to take a photo of everyone's poster board so you can discuss what did or did not come to fruition for each person. What a fun way to inspire and support each other's wishes and goals!
For additional information, take a look at The Complete Vision Board Kit.
Learn More
Have you wanted to start your own company? Review these tips for turning a hobby into a business.
For a rainbow of inspiration, discover these songs about colors.
Do you dream of living in a foreign country someday? Read these tips for expats.
If you would like to learn a new language, then check out why and how to use Rosetta Stone to reach this goal.
Save These Tips
Be sure to save these vision board party tips for future reference. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!
Have you ever made a vision board? Do you have any questions or tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!
I asked my Pastor could I host a vision board party, and she said yes. So its tonight. Im so excited to see what all everyone want to accomplish. We are planning to make this a once or twice a years event. And work together keeping one another inspired to achieve our goals as well. Wish me Luck, This Blog helped me out a lot Thanks
Hi Miriam – How wonderful! Best of luck! I am envisioning a very successful party for you tonight! 🙂
I love vision boards! I didn’t do one this year, but I did one two years ago and it was crazy to look back and see what manifested from the boards. It was a group vision board and I had a blast. Never thought about hosting a vision board party, but after reading your post I feel empowered to do so. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Wonderful! It’s amazing looking back on past vision boards. I love that you found these tips helpful and inspiring for your own vision board party!
I would like to host a vision board party on new years day, at a hotel, snacks and a few people to speak about goal setting for the year. What do you think?
Sounds like a wonderful way to kick of the New Year to me! Cheers to a fabulous 2020!
What are visions board?
See above, listed under “What are vision boards”!
Love this Article! Thanks for sharing. Extra motivated to work on my dreams knowing that all the people who attended the vision board party are doing the same and progressing!
I have been invited to a vision board party with new friends from bookclub (I just moved to this area & enjoy my new friends). I have never heard of vision boards. I’m a retired teacher and I’m 30 years older than these young ladies. What would you suggest as questions to ask myself as a newly retired person to place on these vision boards? I just want to be prepared before I go. Thank you.
Hi Deb – I hope I’m not too late in answering your question! (I took some time off to spend with family over the holidays.) I think you could ask yourself the same questions I suggested under “Tips for hosting a vision board party with kids.” Since you are newly retired, think about what you want your retired life to look like. Busy or restful? Is there an organization or cause you love to which you could donate some time now that you are retired? Do you want to travel more now? To where? With whom would you like to spend your retirement? Do you want to make new friends, connect with old friends, or enjoy solitude? I hope these questions help. Enjoy your retirement! 🙂
How long are these parties. A hour, 2 hours?
Hi Gina – You could set a limit or just let the party go until everyone has completed their vision boards. I taught a vision board class once, which gave everyone an hour to put their boards together. It was a little rushed but doable, with me walking around and helping people find the images they wanted. I would say you need at least two hours for a relaxing party during which everyone can complete a board.
Hi Mrs. Colleen,
I’ve been inspired to host a large vision board party at my school with the 5 other schools within our school district- from 8th graders to high school seniors. I wanted to thank you for this article, it is definitely helpful for the planning of this event! I intend to also have guest speakers and great food to make the event more intriguing, inspiring and fun! Do you have any tips or suggestions for this event, being that the attendants are specifically young girls in middle/high school?
Hi Cionie – What a great idea to do a vision board party with teens! I made vision boards with my kids this January (ages 11 and 8) and we had a great time working on this project together. Since the kids you’ll be working with are a bit older this may not be any issue, but I think my kids struggled with the idea of choosing photos of things they want to draw into their lives, instead of just choosing pretty or tasty looking pictures. You don’t want kids to stress out that their images aren’t “right” but the goal isn’t merely to make a pretty collage, it should be about setting intentions for their lives. I would tell the kids that their boards can focus on one year of their lives, their high school career, or their entire lives (or any other time period). I would also let them know that they can focus on just one aspect of their lives (social life, career, sports, school, etc.) or make a more broad-themed board that incorporates all of these. I hope that helps! Enjoy your vision board party!
Planning to host a mother/daughter vision board party. I am very excited, I am throwing in ideas from The Bucket List and The Secret. It is important to help young women build themselves up and for mom’s to remember that they can still dream and spend a little energy on themselves.
Sounds like a wonderful idea, Rochelle! My family made vision boards together this year in January and it was really fun to see what things made it on to my kids’ boards!
Can you refer anyone in the California, Bay area (Oakland, Emeryville), that can attend on of these events.
Thank you.
Kathy
Hi Kathy – I don’t know about formal vision board classes in the Bay Area, but it’s really very easy and fun to host your own vision board party!
I’m hosting a vision board party this weekend… thank you for this amazing blog!
Any new ideas – please send them my way!
Enjoy your vision board party, Jill! I would suggest telling your attendees to cut out whatever appeals to them without over-thinking it too much. Just cut, cut, cut and then decide what works best for your board. My family just made vision boards this weekend and it was so fun to see how all of us have similar and different wishes!
Enjoyed reading this. You Inspired my spontaneous creative side! I am even thinking of having a vision Baird party, totally last minute today on New Year’s Eve. Even if the only attendee is me! I used to do visionboard workshops do my therapy patients and community events. I have not had one myself in 2 years ???? Just realized! Yikes!
I hope your vision board party went well! Happy New Year!
Great read!!! I am hosting a small Vision Board party next weekend in Atlanta for five of my closes friends. I was somewhat nervous and sometimes tend to overthink everything. Your blog post has really put my mind to ease. Thank you!!!
Duane – I am envisioning a wonderful vision board party for you! 😉 Enjoy!
I love the Vision Board idea!! I would really like to have a
Vision Board party for men & women. I work with very low income families and would like to have them build towards financial independence. Any suggestions or ideas? Thank you all.
Michelle – My suggestion would be to focus the class on fun because people can feel overwhelmed and put off by financial planning. Then weave your messaging about financial planning throughout, encouraging attendants to put images of success, money, security, things they’d like to buy (like a home or car!), and ways they envision earning the income. Best wishes with your class – sounds wonderful!
This is a great idea to inspire positive behavior and to help identify values. I use vision boards with teens, but I want to broaden my focus to adults. You see, I am a retired special education teacher, looking to engage friends and family and members of my community.
What a wonderful goal, Casandra! Best wishes with your community vision board party!
I do a group and I would like to do this with my group of men and woman
I made a great vision board once. Should I be doing one every year? How often do you recommend it?
Jody – I think you could do a new vision board every year or whenever you feel you need to refocus and refresh. You can also make vision boards for different aspects of your life: work, home, travel, etc. I need to make a new one, too!
This is such a great way to focus on what you want from life – I think I’m going to have to try it!
I hope you do, Lisa! And let me know how it goes!
I did one on my own 2 years ago but plan to host a last minute party this year! I even want my son to participate with some of his friends? We will see how that goes over!
April – Sounds like a wonderful idea!
And it went well! Whoohoo! So excited about all the plans for this new season in my life and those around me!!
Awesome – so glad your vision board party was a success!
That’s fun. When do we get to cut out snowflakes?
Mike – If you want to draw snow into your life, I suppose a few homemade snowflakes would be a great addition to your vision board!
I hosted a vision board party for family on last Janauary. We are coming together again in January 2014 to review, discuss and update our boards.
Vanessa – What a great idea to do a follow up vision board party!
Love this idea!
What a great way to share and collaborate on creating your dream life with your friends and family (and also to be held accountable through showing others your dream path in life!)
Cheers,
Kristi
Fun — i had never heard of this!
Have one question, I have a yacht charter company, can we do that in the yacht? As you might know yacht sometimes might shake if any kind of current hits it so I want to throw such party but kinda afraid.
Dogan – I don’t see why not! Just use children’s safety scissors and you should be good to go!
I love the idea of doing this with a group of girlfriends or family members. COuld be a nice idea for kids to do, too!
Jenna – What a great idea to do this with children. Hmm…I’m thinking I need to figure out a way to incorporate this into my daughter’s next birthday party. It’d be a fun and inspiring activity that would leave kids with more than a sugar rush!
What a great idea! We talk about it so much, but what a great way to inspire and to be inspired.
what fun!!
Awesome Idea. thanks! I will have one as well 🙂
Create My Mind Movie – I’m so glad you are inspired by this idea. It was a lot of fun. Let me know how it goes if you do throw a Vision Board Party!
Oh my gosh, this is a fabulous idea! what better way to have fun with your friends and put together all your dreams and aspirations!
I have difficulty in believing that it would only take one night, it was an entire process for me to put mine together, but I guess you could have it over a series of nights! Sure beats bowling! haha
Thanks for the great idea!
Great blog! I loved making a vision board…I wish I had a party to go to when I made it. I really enjoyed the Vision Board party thanks for sharing this blog and great reply.
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Travel Planning
Hi there –
I received a question about where you can purchase CalNaturale wines. The wines can be found at natural food and specialty stores such as Whole Foods, Jimbo’s, Fred Meyer, Harry & David’s, and others. The wine can’t be purchased from their website but CalNaturale will soon be adding a store locator to the site.
Cheers!
Now you’ve inspired me to make one, even though I’ve been thinking about it for some time. I think it was the box of Chardonnay that sold me.
So great to meet you this weekend!
This was fun, thanks for instigating it and helping us get clear on our goals and envisioning how we want our lives to be!
I really enjoyed the Vision Board party. I plan to host one myself this summer. Thank you, Colleen.
Great blog! I loved making a vision board…I wish I had a party to go to when I made it. 🙂