home about contact sponsor why teaching midweek FAQs

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Teal and Red First Birthday Party

(Sorry this is late... By now, you probably know that that's just how I roll.)

When I first starting planning and pinning for Sam's first birthday party, I wasn't really sure what direction I was headed.  But, as my "vision" and "purpose" (of course you can have those things for a birthday party, why not?) came into focus a little more, I realized that a lot of the cute themes out there were better suited for older kids.  So, I started a new board of "parties I can't wait to throw when Sam is older" and decided that since we were only going to have one guest (other than the birthday boy) under 25, it just didn't make sense to plan elaborate details for kids (i.e. favors, games, etc.). However, I felt really strongly that the overall "mood" of the party should be happy, fun, and a little whimsical. Here are a few other things I knew going into party planning:

- I wanted the party at our own house for sentimental reasons.
- I wanted to be able to use outside, but not be dependent on the weather.
- I wanted to use Sam's my new favorite colors teal and red.
- I wanted to incorporate elements that would remind guests what it felt like to be a kid again.

*This party was my rough inspiration.

In the end, I think all of those things were accomplished, and I was happy with the result.  Of course, I don't think the photos really capture the spirit of everything, but since hiring a professional photographer or inviting you all to see it in person didn't really fit into my "keep it simple" theme, these will have to do...

Enjoy!

As guests arrived, they were greeted with this adorable side-walk chalk "picture frame" done by my friend Bekuh.  This doubled as a photo-booth, complete with plenty of props.  (Pretty sure this is going to be on our front wall until we move one day.)
Moving into the house, the living room was filled with red balloons and Sam's monthly photo banner.
This was the only "craft" I did for the whole party.  Clothes pins on ribbon - that's my kind-of project!
Also in the living room, I included the Happy Birthday book by Dr. Seuss (which just happened to be in my colors) for friends to sign like a guestbook of sorts.

The dining room is where I focused most of my decorating energy...
My favorite part - the vintage candy and toy bar.  This was mostly my mom's baby.  Isn't it SO cute?  And, I, of course, loved showing off our pictures too.  I even included a few copies for guests to take home.

We asked guests NOT to bring gifts, but I knew they would anyway; so, we use the wagon from Jeff & I to hold them.
I set-up the sunroom the way I would have done the backyard if the weather wasn't so iffy... It worked out fine.

Drinks were in the kitchen and on the deck.
 

Even Addy got in on the fun.

Sweet Birthday Boy

Later this week, I'll share a few more details and a post on "How to Host a Cute Party If You Are Not Crafty Or Rich."  Until then, thanks for caring about my little party-planning adventures and the milestones of our little family (I still can't believe my baby is ONE).  You all make everything that much more fun!

Sources:
- Chalk art by Bekuh Browning
- Photo booth props from Target, Walmart, & my basement
- Dr. Seuss birthday book from Amazon
- Bulk gumballs from Sam's Club
- Banner made by Jeff's mom
- Paper products from local party-supply store & Walmart
- Paper balls and fans from Party Factory Direct via Amazon
- Highchair from Poppy's basement (it was mine when I was little)
- Cake by Sarah G
- Candy and toys from The Dollar Store, Target, & Cracker Barrell
- Birthday hat from Steinmart
- Photos by Howe Captivate
- Wagon from Amazon
- Ball from Target
- Quilt from Jeff's grandma
- Tent from Ikea (Jeff's mom already had it)
- "1st Birthday" banner from Walmart
- Addy's "outfit" from Walmart

16 comments:

  1. What a precious party! I think you createdd the ideal first party: lots of family, a happy baby, lots of pictures and bright colors! Oh and all of those incredible details don't hurt either. :)
    You'll see lots of similar things at Luke's party, thanks to my addiction to Pinterest. I guess great minds think alike. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are selling yourself short, my friend! The party looked beautiful and like it was a total blast! For a gal who says she's not crafty, you sure outdid yourself. Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How fun! You did an awesome job. It looks like it was so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. And wow... shame on me as an English teacher for my abuse of the word "fun." You'd think I'd be able to come up with something more substantial. I blame it on my stress over my 5-month old's inability to nap...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been reading your blog for awhile and love it!! this birthday party for Sam is beyond adorable - I love all of the personal touches :) We are looking for a new dining room rug and that brown chevron beauty popped right out at me! Where did you find such a lovely rug?!? i look forward to commenting more often!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Woohoo! What a fantastic birthday party. I love the chalkboard photobooth - and you looked adorable in blue. Glad Sam had such a fun day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I found your blog through Pinterest while hunting for some classroom organization ideas. It's really hard to find good tips for high school classrooms and, like you, I'm a high school English teacher. Your classroom blog hooked me and I've been reading ever since. I love your ideas for Sam's first birthday! I think it's awesome that you kept it a family affair and made it fun for everyone involved. So many first birthday parties are a drag for the adults involved, so I think this is pretty wonderful. I also think you're very crafty! Congrats on job well done!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What an awesome party! Seems like ur a attention to detail kinda person and u pretty much exhausted ur creative brain .Looks like a lot of thought has gone into planning this party.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is awesome! I love that it's a non-themed themed party too! I'm sure everyone had a blast. I love your details and that you included the pup!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the colors you and Sam chose ;) I'm sure Addy appreciated getting in on the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the decorations, it turned out great!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Elizabeth, You did a wonderful job with Sam's 1st birthday party. I loved everything that you did in all the rooms...Everything was just beautiful. I really loved all the vintage candy... it looked soooooooo good!! :):) Sam looked as though he was really loving his cake.:) I know everyone had a wonderful time.
    You did a magnificent job!
    Love you lots,
    Auntie Delores

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved this post - especially since I'm obsessed with planning Caleb's 1st Birthday Party. What did you do with the Dr. Seuss book? I found a copy of Dr. Seuss' "Happy Birthday to You", and I want to work it in to the party, but haven't been sure what to do... P.S. That little teal high chair is the cutest thing I have ever seen!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Elizabeth, the party looked so great! I hope you had a blast and I'm sure little Sam felt so loved and happy the whole time. You're quite the party planner lady!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Girl, you are skinny! The party looks like it was perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been surfing online greater than 3 hours today, yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It's pretty value enough
    for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made
    good content as you probably did, the web shall be much more useful than ever before.



    My page: ingredients of quantrim

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are what makes this thing fun! I LOVE to hear from you and do my best to respond to everyone! THANK YOU!


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover