Some brands begin with market research. Others begin with a product idea. Time For Corktails & Snappitizers!™ began with something much more personal—a phrase shared between loved ones that eventually became part of family traditions, social gatherings, and a founder’s mission to bring a little more fun into everyday entertaining.
Created by Penny Whiteford Pass, this brand blends humor, hospitality, and storytelling into a product line designed for people who love gathering with family and friends. Through playful cocktail napkins and drink coasters, Corktails & Snappitizers focuses on making entertaining feel warm, memorable, and easy—without overcomplicating the experience.
Where the Name Came From
More than 25 years ago, Penny and her husband Bruce created the phrase “Time For Corktails & Snappitizers!” as part of the playful language they built together throughout their life of hosting, entertaining, and spending time with loved ones.
What started as a simple joke between the two of them quickly grew into something bigger. Friends and family began using the terms “Corktails” and “Snappitizers” in casual conversation. Invitations often included phrases like “Corktail Hour” or “Corktails & Snappitizers served at…”—turning the saying into a recognizable part of their shared memories.
It was not just clever wordplay. It represented a lifestyle centered around connection, laughter, and welcoming people in.
After Bruce’s passing, Penny chose to preserve that spirit in a meaningful way. She pursued trademark registration for the phrase and, in the process, built a brand around it. What became a 3.5-year journey eventually led to the approval of the trademark in early 2025 and the launch of products that reflected the same warmth the phrase had carried for decades.
A Mission Centered on Togetherness
At the heart of Time For Corktails & Snappitizers!™ is a simple mission: helping party-givers create a cheerful, welcoming atmosphere through entertaining products that feel playful and personal.
Rather than focusing on overly formal hosting or trend-heavy décor, the brand embraces real gatherings—the kinds of celebrations that happen around kitchen islands, backyard tables, holiday dinners, birthdays, girls’ nights, and casual cocktail hours.
Penny’s vision is built around the idea that entertaining does not need to feel perfect to feel memorable.
As she describes it:
“This shop is my way of keeping that feeling close—and sharing it with anyone who loves a good laugh and a good gathering. Not perfect parties. Just real ones.”
That philosophy continues to shape every part of the brand.
The Product Line: Small Details That Set the Tone
To bring the concept to life, Penny created a product line centered around practical party staples that naturally fit into entertaining spaces.
Cocktail Napkins
The cocktail napkins are designed to add personality and humor to gatherings. Whether placed beside appetizers, drinks, or dessert trays, they serve as playful details that can help make a table setting feel more lively and conversation-friendly.
Drink Coasters
The coasters extend that same entertaining-forward style. Created with the Corktails & Snappitizers identity in mind, they offer decorative accents that fit naturally into bars, kitchen counters, patios, and hosting spaces.
Together, these products were designed to feel approachable, giftable, and easy to incorporate into celebrations.
What Helps Corktails & Snappitizers Stand Out?
The party-supply market often leans toward broad themes, wedding-centered aesthetics, or designs that may feel generic. Penny wanted something different.
A Personality-Driven Brand
The playful use of “Corktails” and “Snappitizers” gives the brand a distinct voice that feels lighthearted and recognizable.
A Founder Story With Meaning
This business was inspired by real memories, hospitality, and a shared life built around gathering people together. That emotional foundation adds authenticity to the brand’s identity.
Built for Everyday Entertaining
The products are created for casual celebrations, hostess gifts, dinner parties, and social moments—not just milestone events.
Conversation-Starting Design
The brand’s focus on humor and storytelling gives its products a memorable, approachable quality that can naturally fit into social settings.
Meet the Founder: Penny Whiteford Pass
Penny Whiteford Pass brings a lifetime of leadership, service, and relationship-building into her entrepreneurial chapter.
Born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, she earned a degree in Business Administration and Sociology from Central Michigan University before building a long career in sales leadership, including work with New York Life Insurance Company and later in the Group Health Sales Industry.
Outside of business, Penny has dedicated years to volunteer work, including serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), supporting nonprofit organizations, and remaining active in community service.
That combination of business experience, compassion, and hospitality helped shape the thoughtful foundation behind Time For Corktails & Snappitizers!™.
Celebrating the Joy of Real Gatherings
At its core, Time For Corktails & Snappitizers!™ is not just about napkins and coasters. It is about celebrating connection in the small, meaningful moments that often become the most memorable.
By combining playful design, a heartfelt founder story, and products built for easy entertaining, the brand offers something that feels both personal and welcoming.
For anyone who enjoys hosting, gifting, laughing, and gathering with good company, Corktails & Snappitizers serves as a reminder that sometimes the best celebrations b
Written in partnership with Tom White
