Monday, March 25, 2013

Birthday Party Success


LC’s birthday party was this weekend and it was a huge success if I must say so myself. We didn’t throw a big party or anything but it was the first party I have ever planned by myself and I am very proud of how it turned out. My theme was Vintage Farm. I originally planned on having the whole party outside and setting up a table with food and dessert, a couple of bales of hay for decoration and using a wheel barrow for drinks.

The weather however did not want to cooperate, and it was pretty chilly on Saturday. It was warm enough to be outside, but not warm enough to be comfortable out there for two hours. Plus, we didn’t think about how we don’t have lawn chairs or outside seating for our guests. So we ended up having the party inside.

I really wanted to do a lot of stuff myself for LC’s birthday, but honestly, with the miscarriage I lost focus this month. I didn’t plan things out ahead of time enough, and I ended up doing everything at the last minute. It sucked and I WILL NOT do that again next year. I figure that next year will probably be the last year that I get to plan his party without much input from him so I want MY THEMES to come out just as I envision. Which means that I will have to use my lessons learned from this year to make next years party easier on me.

Here are some pics from LCs party. Just like how Sandra L.ee is Se.mi Homemade, I feel that this party was Semi DYI. I got the designs for his party decor from 3Littlemonkeys. I then printed them out and used them how I wanted. I really wanted to have milk bottles with straws, but I don’t really know how well that works for 1 year olds. Plus milk bottles are EXPENSIVE!! I just couldn’t see spending that much on décor for a party. Because that’s exactly what it would have been décor. I like the idea of the milk bottles as I feel that they add to the vintage look, so I MAY consider them for next year. I just don’t know how I feel about 2 year olds having glass milk bottles.

Anyway, here are my few lessons learned along with some tips that I need to write down or I’ll forget then when it comes to planning his party next year. I didn't take any pics outside of the wheel barrow and hay, or the other food table which was really cute as well. I actually don't have as many pics as I thought I did :(

1.       Pick my theme early

2.       Order DYI décor at least 60 days out so that I can work on one project a week

3.       Have more activities for younger kids

4.       Don’t plan activities for the morning of the party

5.       Set up the party the night before (did this)

6.       Place order for cake 3 weeks ahead of party (did this)

7.       Pick a time for the party where a meal isn’t expected 2-4 (did this)

8.       Shop for decorations locally before ordering online at the last minute and end up paying more for shipping and handling than the actual decoration


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