Our two little kiddoss had a small party on Saturday. I think I learned a lesson about over planning for birthdays: keep it simple!
As parents, we think we are going to make the best parties ever for our little ones. But it really is to satisfy us and not the kids. Especially when we look online (Pinterest and other blogs) and see all the fancy looking parties. Well, that could be a trap for some of us.
The thing is, most of the people we invited could not come. Even up to Friday and Saturday morning of the party, I had 3 cancels. We had invited some from our kids nursery friends and a few other family friends who always come to their parties. Needless to say, we only had 2 families show up for the party.
These were the results:
——Money loss: we had to cancel our rental place the same morning and lost our down payment. We had that place (not too far from our home – a few streets over because our home was a too small to host the families. Most of the families had 2 parents and two little kids coming so we had to count for parents, too.
——-I ended up cleaning my house and running around “like a chicken without head” on the last minute to get stuff done.
——-Food: way too much food remaining
——-Decorations and paper servings: need to return them to the store
We were kind of disappointed but at least we got over it and had fun, after the fact.
All in all, the party ended up costing us about $150 or a little less with invitations, food, cakes, decor, and other miscellaneous stuff included. So I guess not too bad. But we lost the $50 for the down payment at the clubhouse, too:(
The two kiddos playing with their balloons before the guests arrived. The baby fell asleep and missed the first part of her party. And then was a bit fussy when she got up. Oh well – (she is getting her teeth)!
Our toddler turned 3 years on Nov. 29 and the baby will be 1 year Dec. 22. We figured with the holidays and people being super busy, we’ll do both together and have a little cake or something for them at home on their individual birthdays.
For our Disney Princess themed party:
—-the baby was Sofia the First and
—-the toddler – Rapunzel (she really wanted to be Rapunzel). I bought her a Rapunzel dress but it was too big so we went with a purple she already had (here again, over planning) so ridiculous!
Here is our toddler playing with some of her new gifts. Then we bought her a cake and we enjoyed it at home as a family.
The following day, Saturday, we took her to one of her favorite play place at the mall – loads of fun for kids! I have 2 or 3 posts on this else where on the blog. Baskin Robins Ice-Cream afterwards:) Then pick a couple gifts at Toys “R” Us – a simple “You and Me” doll, a stroller, and a bath tub with towels and accessories for dolls.
A week later, combined birthday party photos for both kiddos (Saturday Dec. 7th).
Games: Pin the tiara on Rapunzel
Games: Bowling and standing at a point and trying to place a quarter in each bowls
Other activities included:
I found about princess “themed” story books at the $$$$$tree for the kids to read.
Coloring – found a princess book at the dollar tree (each kid gets a coloring page)
Craft – found these little board crafts at Target. They were 8 in a box for $3. I thought they were butterflies and other insects only but got them anyway. I got home, opened the pack to find out that they were “princessy” stuff, crowns, dresses, castles, and a couple insects like butterflies that can be found around castles were included. This was to be included in their “favor bags”.
I think it is funny that this little boy was way more fascinated and interested in the princess activities than the girls. Maybe because he was able to do them by himself without any help. The others were too young not to have help.
Kids got gold fish snacks packets for participating in games (and some went into their favor bags, too)
Food:
Pizza, Vege tray, Strawberry and Grape Kabobs, Raspberry Punch
Cakes:
Bought cup cakes from the store – and they game me some princess cake ring toppings. Got a couple other neutral toppings for the boys!
I added sprinkles to the cakes because they were colored but had no sprinkles. I also placed the cakes in little princess cupcake liners. (I wanted to make the cupcakes myself but thought, it was going to be too much to handle).
Castle cakes: I found tutorials via Pinterest. Basically, frost waffle cones and let them dry. Frost cakes. Place frosted cones upside down on cakes. Add more frosting to hold in place. Decorate castle cakes with desired colors and style.
Dessert Table and enjoying some cake!
Other dessert on the dessert table:
Cookies: Bought some cheap cookies at Jewel and frosted them. Tasted great with the added frosting. I had made cookie dough but had no time to make them so the dough is in the freezer right now.
Chocolate coated marshmallows: Pinterest idea – Place marshmallows on a stick, freeze about 15 minutes; melt pink candy coating or white chocolate with and add a little pink food coloring. Dip marshmallows in melted chocolate and add sprinkles immediately, if desired. Place on wax paper to harden.
Chocolate coated pretzels: Pinterest inspired – Melt pink candy coating or white almond bark chocolate coating and add a little pink food coloring. Dip pretzels in coating and sprinkle with desired sprinkles (I used) Place on wax paper to dry.
We also did a pinata – yes, I am Spanish! Just kidding, I lived in Puerto Rico seven years, though and had a lot of Hispanic influence:)
Hubby had to hold it up because the kids were to small to pull it down from a ceiling.
What’s in the pinata? Not your regular candy. We put healthier stuff for the little mouths, instead (granola bars, fruit snacks, and of course a few lollipops just because. We got granola without nuts just in case somebody was allergic to something.
Some of the gifts they got from their friends.
DIY birthday banners!
DIY “Thank You” tags made from $$$$ Tree: word strips and added craft ribbon. Well, I had to come up with something “fast” on the last minute! Didn’t get to do the other ones that I wanted to do (over planning again and cannot get everything done)!
Picture time! All in all we had fun but mom still learned her lesson about over planning with all the birthday decorations and too much stuff, that is really not necessary.
So that was the party and a lot of photos and craziness. But it was all worth it for those two little cuties and their friends!!
Great post! I am just starting to plan Little Bird’s first birthday party and am way behind. Your post helps because I might have been over planning in my head some 🙂 It looks like your party was great! Your girls are so adorable! Did you make those banners yourself? If so, how did you make them?
Thanks, Jodi. There is really no point in over planning! Take it easy. I made the banners myself. I created the letters and then attached yarn to them. I can explain more of that to you via your email if you would like. Let me know.
Great job! Great share! Looks like everyone had a blast 🙂
They sure did! Thanks Mari
Wow! You went all out. Everything looks beautiful though. I was always a huge planner for my kids parties, but everything was very simple (penny toss, sidewalk chalk, etc.). My planning was more about timing so that I could get everything in during the time frame we had set for the party. It always worked out beautifully and best of all it was a stress free party. Glad you had fun! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
I was kind of bummed at myself for trying to do so many things. But thanks for the comment!
We had this type of a problem for our two boys. After two years of four flopped birthdays, we stopped doing them traditional birthday parties together. Instead, we opt to do something special for their birthdays. Sometimes it’s a family trip to something they want to see or a park play date with their friends or just hanging out at home curled up watching a movie of their choice. It’s less intense for everyone involved. Plus parents are more willing to bring their kids if they don’t have to shell out a birthday gift. Money is tight for a lot of people now. We always mention that it’s a birthday event but gifts are not required nor expected. Sometimes people bring something, sometimes they don’t. But in the end, our boys don’t really need any more stuff, and they just want to do something fun with their friends.
Sounds really good. I think I may steal some of your simple ideas. Seriously!
It looks like a wonderful party with lots of fun activities and scrumptious looking food! Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome. Thanks, Alli!
Looks like a great party for little girls!
I don’t miss the little kid parties anymore. It is so hard to think of a theme, find the stuff you need, and plan accordingly. In our family, we stop regular birthday parties at 12. Both of my boys opted for sleepovers for 13. And we’ll have a larger sweet sixteen party(gulp, NEXT YEAR). It makes things a whole lot easier!
Oh, I feel so bad that we couldn’t come!! It looks like they had so much fun–you do way more than I do!! Mine are always at home with only 4 kids when they are little–and up to 5 or 6 when they are older. And I only do every other year—too many kids to do more!
Thanks for linking up with the Tasty Tuesday’s Link-up. I have pinned your post to the Tasty’s Tuesday’s Pinterest Board!
First of all, your girls are beautiful! Second of all, no party ever goes the way I plan it to, so I feel ya. I just keep focus on everyone in attendance and make sure they’re having fun 🙂
Your children are adorable! And you are quite the party planner! I never was. Some pizza rolls, a cake, some crayons and craft type stuff and a lot of running around outside if it warm, or in the garage if it’s not, is about all I have ever done. I need to steal some of your great ideas! Thanks.
Thank you, Amanda! I like your simple ideas, too:)
I think you have learnt a lot from the first party that making the kids really happy (not the parents) is the most important part of a party. Sometimes we think that kids will be happy in our way, but in fact they have their own way to be happy.
We were SO bummed not to be there, Zan and need to figure out a time to stop by and see you guys and drop off the gifts for the girls. Wish so badly that we could have been there to help celebrate your sweet girls. Love you guys!
We missed you greatly and love you, too. But we understand. It will be great to see you, too:)
well, they looked like they had a blast. I learned the hard way with my son’s first birthday party. It was crazy over the top and he was only 1!!! This year for my second son’s 1st birthday, we are going to keep it simple and cost effective!