Pink & Polished: A DIY 'How-To' for Zoe's Graduation Party Favors

May 16, 2026

Graduation season is finally here, and my heart is just beaming with pride! Our sweet Zoe is closing one chapter and starting a brand new one. You know me, I couldn't just let this milestone pass by with store-bought decorations. Everything had to be "Pink & Polished" to match her vibrant personality. We decided on a sophisticated pink theme that feels both celebratory and elegant.

Personalized party favors are the heartbeat of any great celebration. They tell your guests, "I’m so glad you’re here to share this moment." For Zoe’s big day, I focused on two essential items: custom water bottle labels and personalized fan sticks. These aren't just cute; they are functional! Graduation ceremonies can get a bit warm, so a cool drink and a sturdy fan are absolute lifesavers.

Creating these items allowed me to bring together my favorite crafting "power couple", the xTool M1 and the Cricut Maker. When these two machines work together, the creative possibilities are literally endless.

The Vision: Pink, Polished, and Perfect

The goal was a cohesive look. I wanted a specific shade of pink that felt modern, not too "little girl," but definitely feminine and fun. By designing everything myself in Canva, I was able to match the hues perfectly across the labels, the fans, and even the tiny details like the layered cardstock tassels.

If you are a proud mom or auntie looking to elevate a graduation party, this guide is for you. It’s about taking simple materials and turning them into keepsakes. For this celebration, I’m only highlighting the pieces I actually created for Zoe, especially the pink water bottles that pulled the whole table together. Let’s dive into the gear you’ll need to make this happen.

The Ultimate Materials List

This is the part where the magic really clocks in. These supplies are the behind-the-scenes MVPs that helped bring the Zoe Alexander Graduation Party Pack to life, and that new flat lay? Baby, it’s giving “craft table, but make it fabulous.”

Flat lay of supplies used to create the Zoe Alexander Graduation Party Pack

🛒 Shop the Complete Supply Kit Here!

From glossy finishes to glittery details, every item in this lineup has a job to do. And when the crafting power couple, the xTool M1 and Cricut Maker, team up with these supplies shown in the flat lay, they turn simple materials into party favors with main-character energy.

THE ESSENTIALS

🛒 Epson Printer – Essential for crisp, vibrant pinks that don’t come to play.
🛒 Sticker Paper – Waterproof and durable for those chilled water bottles that still need to look cute.
🛒 Laminating Machine – Gives the fans that glossy, polished “yes, I made this myself” finish.
🛒 Laminate Sheets – A must for keeping everything protected, pretty, and party-ready.
🛒 Xyron Creative Station – Perfect for clean adhesive application and those satisfying finishing touches.

THE POWER TOOLS

🛒 xTool M1 Laser – The wood-cutting half of this crafting power couple, used for those custom 3mm plywood fan handles.
🛒 Cricut Maker Vinyl Cutter – The precision queen that cuts paper, sticker elements, and tassel pieces like it has something to prove.
🛒 Cricut Cutting Mat – Keeps every piece right where it needs to be while the Maker works its usual magic.

BUILDING & FINISHING

🛒 Vkiza Plywood – High-quality 3mm wood for fan bases that feel sturdy and special.
🛒 48 Pack Basswood Sheets – Great to have on deck when party prep turns into full-on production mode.
🛒 Pink Glitter Cardstock – Used for the graduation cap toppers on the water bottles, because plain was never invited.
🛒 Iridescent Cardstock – Brings that soft shimmer to the tassels and layered details.
🛒 Pink Posca Paint Pens – For detailing the trim around the pink glitter cardstock caps on the water bottles.
🛒 Ryobi Hot Glue Gun – Fast, reliable bonding when the assembly line is in full swing.
🛒 Barely Art Precision Glue – For those tiny details that need a gentle hand and a neat finish.
🛒 E6000 Glue – For a permanent, heavy-duty hold when cute also needs to be committed.
🛒 Gorilla Glue Gel – My go-to for wood-to-paper bonding that stays put.

If you want the easiest route, grab everything under the kit button above and let the supplies do their thing. The xTool handles the wood, the Cricut handles the paper, and together they make this graduation setup look like it arrived with its own spotlight.

Step 1: Design in Canva

Everything starts in Canva. I love this platform because it’s so intuitive. For the water bottle labels, I created a layout that included Zoe’s name, her graduation year, and a sweet "Thank You" message. For the fan sticks, I designed a double-sided graphic: one side with her beautiful graduation portrait and the other with an inspirational quote.

PRO TIP: When designing for the xTool and Cricut, make sure your margins are set correctly so your print-then-cut features align perfectly.

Step 2: Print with Your Epson

Vibrant color is key! I used my 🛒 Epson Printer to print the designs onto high-quality photo cardstock for the fans and sticker paper for the water bottles. Using the high-quality print setting ensures the pinks are "polished" and don't look washed out.

Step 3: Laminate for Durability

Parties can be messy! I ran the fan designs through the 🛒 Laminating Machine. This does two things: it makes the colors pop even more and it ensures the fans won't wilt if they get a little damp or handled by many guests. It adds that "luxe" feel that store-bought favors just don't have.

Step 4: Precision Cutting with Cricut

Next, I loaded the laminated sheets and the sticker paper onto the 🛒 Cricut Cutting Mat. The 🛒 Cricut Maker Vinyl Cutter is a champion at "Print Then Cut." It read the registration marks and cut the labels and fan shapes perfectly every single time. No jagged edges here!

Step 5: xTool M1 Laser Magic

While the Cricut was busy with the paper, the 🛒 xTool M1 Laser was hard at work cutting the handles. I used 🛒 Vkiza Plywood to create sturdy, custom-shaped sticks. Instead of boring old craft sticks, these have a unique shape that fits the hand perfectly. I even used the laser to engrave "Class of 2026" onto the wood.

Step 6: The Grand Assembly

Now for the fun part, bringing it all together! This is where the pink graduation fans, the pink chip bags, and the custom water bottles with "Grad 2026 Happy Graduation Zoe" really started to shine.

THE WATER BOTTLES: Peel and stick the labels onto the bottles. The sticker paper is incredibly forgiving and sticks tight, and the "Grad 2026 Happy Graduation Zoe" design made each bottle feel extra personal.
THE FANS: I used the 🛒 Ryobi Hot Glue Gun to attach the plywood sticks to the back of the laminated paper designs. For extra security, I added a dab of 🛒 Gorilla Glue Gel. The pink graduation fans came out sturdy, cute, and party-ready.
THE CHIP BAGS & FINISHING TOUCHES: The pink chip bags helped round out the full party table look, and I used 🛒 Pink Posca Paint Pens for the trim around the pink glitter cardstock caps on the water bottles. The tassels were made from plain pink and iridescent cardstock cut with the 🛒 Cricut Maker Vinyl Cutter for a clean, layered finish.

Why the xTool M1 and Cricut Maker?

You might wonder why I use both. The answer is simple: precision and material versatility. The Cricut is the queen of paper, vinyl, and delicate materials. It handles the "print then cut" workflow for Zoe's stickers better than anything else.

However, for the fan handles, I wanted something more substantial than cardstock. I wanted wood. That’s where the 🛒 xTool M1 Laser shines. It cuts through 3mm plywood like butter, giving us a professional, rigid handle that makes the fans feel like a high-end gift. Together, they allow LJ McRae Creations to produce items that are truly "Inspired by Faith & Positivity."

A Celebration to Remember

Seeing all those pink favors lined up on the table was a moment I'll never forget. It wasn't just about the "stuff", it was about the love put into every cut, glue dot, and design choice. The pink graduation fans, the pink chip bags, and the custom water bottles with "Grad 2026 Happy Graduation Zoe" really brought the whole setup together and made the table feel so personal and fun.

If you’re working on a similar project, I would LOVE to see your results!

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER GRADUATION THEMED ITEMS:

Zoe's Graduation Party Pack

Zoe Alexander graduation party pack created by LJ McRae Creations

Creating for the people we love is one of life's greatest joys. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your DIY journey with an 🛒 xTool M1 Laser, remember to have fun and let your creativity shine!

Congratulations to Zoe' and the entire Class of 2026! We are so proud of you!

For more faith-inspired creations and DIY tips, visit us at LJ McRae Creations.

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