Things to do at an event

For an interactive gift idea, the Underground Press, a 15-year-old Brooklyn company that prints T-shirts for concerts and corporate events, now offers on-site custom T-shirt screen-printing services for private events. Corporate groups can work with the company to come up with original T-shirt designs, which are then turned into print-ready files. At the event, guests can pick their design, color, and shirt size, then watch as it gets made. The setup takes up minimal space (at least 10 feet by 10 feet) and requires at least two weeks’ advance notice. Pricing is based on a variety of factors—including the quantity and quality of shirts needed, the length of the event, and how many presses and staffers are required—but generally costs between $2,000 and $10,000.

Guests shared their love for BlackBerry's new device via messages projected onto a giant screen.

For a recent press event in Los Angeles, Paul Frank brought Starring Fragrances for a station that offered custom scents as takeaways for guests, based on their personal preferences.

After a long Oscar night, host Seth MacFarlane's official after-party included a station from Tkees, which encouraged guests to check their heels (similar to the way they would at a coat check) and pick up a pair of flip-flops—in gold, appropriate to the occasion.

At Stella McCartney's Resort 2013 presentation in New York, a cart overflowing with roses and peonies stood near the entrance to the venue. As guests left, they picked up small bouquets or single stems as festive gifts.

Looking to boost event proceeds, Miami Children's Hospital Foundation went beyond the basic silent auction by enlisting a group of hunky male volunteers to showcase auction items at its Wine, Women & Shoes event in February.

Colorful nail polish bottles filled champagne glasses at L'Oréal’s brunch planned by Joe Moller at the Viceroy EOS Restaurant in Miami.

At its Coachella party, Lacoste set up a nail art station, where guests could stop by for colorful, branded looks applied in a breezy white cabana.

The Vintage Table Company offers vintage china, glassware, and flatware sourced from estates, thrift stores, and flea markets, for a purposefully mismatched tabletop look.

Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted its 16th annual Dining by Design event in New York, where Croscill's table got a bright pink quilted tablecloth and clear Chiavari chairs that gave the setup a look that resembled a canopy bed.

In Los Angeles in the days before Coachella kicked off, jewelry brand Haute Betts hosted a party with a floral garland-making station, where guests could create their own festival-ready looks—and wear them to contribute an on-brand, boho-chic atmosphere in the party space.

In the Toronto area, Vintage China Hire offers an eclectic mix of vintage and antique tableware for events and has partnered with Loic Gourmet to offer catered afternoon tea packages.

The recent Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows' 100th anniversary bash kicked off with a performance by the Aqualillies, a troupe of water ballerinas.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party in Boston honored Evelyn Lauder with displays of her favorite flower, peonies, which decorated tables along with orange roses.