PFH (Party From Home)
In early 2020, as the world came to a standstill and in-person gatherings became impossible, I found myself at the center of what would become the most creatively fulfilling project of my career. What started as a desperate attempt to save our events business transformed into an innovative solution that would eventually reach thousands of people—including 3,000 Google employees for their holiday celebration.
Birth of the Virtual Event Box
Working at Foxtail Catering, our team faced a devastating reality: events were canceled indefinitely. Rather than accept defeat, we asked ourselves a simple question: If people can't come to the event, could we bring the event to them?
The answer became our Virtual Event Box program—carefully curated packages delivered directly to attendees' homes, containing everything needed to create a shared experience despite physical distance.
From Concept to 3,000 Doorsteps
The Development Process
Our journey began with cardboard mockups spread across my living room. On a Facetime with my manager during the early days of “shelter-in-place,” I tested different box sizes, arrangements, and packaging methods to ensure presentation and practicality. Together with our head chef, we tackled unprecedented challenges:
How do we ensure food safety across different delivery timelines?
What items travel well without refrigeration?
How can we create an "unboxing moment" that feels special?
What instructions would make preparation foolproof for non-cooks?
Each solution required cross-functional collaboration between culinary, design, logistics, and marketing teams—all working remotely ourselves.
Design Elements
As the designer on the team, I created:
Custom box graphics and branding
Illustrated instruction cards for food assembly
Themed menu designs and label that complemented each box concept
Marketing materials showcasing our offerings
Digital assets for the virtual components
We developed several box categories to meet different client needs:
VIP Boxes (Virtual Interactive Party) featuring specialty appetizers
Beverage Boxes with cocktail/mocktail kits for virtual mixology classes
Dinner Boxes offering three-course meals with minimal preparation
Custom Themed Boxes tailored to specific event concepts
A few examples of the many boxes, ranging from complete customization to our standard offerings:
Scaling Up: The Google Holiday Party
What began as small batches for teams of ~50 people, culminated in our most ambitious project: creating 3,000 custom holiday boxes for Google's end-of-year celebration. This massive undertaking required:
Coordinating nationwide shipping logistics
Managing complex dietary restrictions across thousands of recipients
Creating a cohesive unboxing experience that aligned with their virtual program
Implementing rigorous safety protocols during production
Developing tracking systems to ensure on-time delivery
The boxes included custom-designed menus, festive cocktail kits, branded items, and interactive elements that connected to their virtual program. Despite the enormous scale, we maintained the personalized touch that had become our signature.
Problem-Solving Through a Pandemic
Beyond the creative aspects, we navigated extraordinary operational challenges:
Implementing strict COVID safety protocols in our production facility
Creating contactless delivery systems for local recipients
Developing backup plans for shipping delays
Building a tracking system for thousands of deliveries
Managing last-minute address changes and special requests
Each obstacle became an opportunity to innovate, often developing solutions overnight that would normally take months to implement.
The Human Connection
What surprised me most was how emotional these boxes became for recipients. In a time of profound isolation, receiving a thoughtfully designed package created a tangible connection. We received countless messages from people moved to tears by the experience—a reminder that even in our most distant moments, creativity can bridge the gap between us.
Some behind the scenes moments from this whirlwind year:
Looking Forward
While in-person events have largely returned, the lessons from our virtual box program continue to influence my work. I now approach every project with a deeper understanding of how to create meaningful connections through thoughtful design, regardless of circumstances.
How It Shaped Me
This project fundamentally transformed my approach to event design:
Constraints breed creativity - The severe limitations of the pandemic forced innovations we might never have discovered otherwise
Experience design transcends phys
ical space - I learned to create memorable moments regardless of venue
Attention to detail matters most when everything else is uncertain - Small touches became the most meaningful elements
Cross-functional collaboration produces the best solutions - Our success came from breaking down traditional role boundaries
Adaptability is the most valuable skill - The ability to pivot quickly became our greatest asset
This entirety of project represents what I value most in my creative work: finding innovative solutions to seemingly impossible challenges while creating moments of joy and connection for others.
