I’ve had a few requests to give more insight into my party planning process and where I start. Every party obviously starts with a theme, from there I swear I live and breathe the theme and do tons of Pinterest searches and watch whatever movie millions of times to see what I can pull for inspiration and more than anything, what I can customize for the kids; like with their names, favorite colors, etc that fit the vibe. I’m also a little crazy and I love when the theme rhymes or somehow matches the age the kids are turning. I don’t think I’ll every top my daughter’s Nightmare B4 Christmas birthday party. It’s still my favorite to date.
My biggest party tip is to obviously pick something you (if it’s a party for you) LOVE or pick a theme that your kid loves! Nothing has made me happier than my daughter seeing her party all decorated and seeing her light up when she notices all the special details. It’s also more fun planning a theme that’s actually exciting to you!
And while I have an affinity for going a little over the top, I believe the smallest details can make an intimate gathering just as special and meaningful as well!
I am currently planning and diy-ing for our next party and am filming as much as I can to create a little video of the process, so that’ll be fun to share once I’m done!
For every party I throw, the main “stages” I refer to them are: the dessert table, the food table, the craft/goodie bag table, the kids table, the backdrop, and then the adult tables.
I usually start with our kids tables, my girlfriend made these miniature white tables during COVID and we’ve used them for literally every party ever since. They’re so cute and perfect for kids to sit around on the grass! The first thing I think about with the kids table is the center piece- what can I use to decorate down the middle of the tables? Then from there, I pick what plates and cutlery I want to use and how I want to display plates on the kids tables. I usually like to put some sort of “goodie” for the kids on the plate which they take home afterward. Once I know what my center piece or table runner is going to be, I like to have that tie into the decor the other tables as well.
Next up, I design the dessert table and plan out what desserts I want to have and how I want them to be displayed, this includes what type of plates or serving trays I want to use. Usually from here, I plan the food tables- we usually cater and do a buffet style where everyone can just grab plates and serve themselves, no fancy decor here other than matching table cloths really.
For the goodie bag table, I like to make custom signs and gift tags for the goodie bags that refer to the theme of the party. I have so much fun making the custom little gift tags! When I can, I also like to put part of the party favors on the kids tables- for a few parties, I’ve given Christmas ornaments as a party favor (my daughter’s birthday party is always in December prior to Christmas), and I just set the ornament on the plate at the kids table. I did kinetic sand for her mermaid party and put the little sandcastle carrier on the plate as well! It’s also not always a “table,” for a few parties I’ve made little “walls” holding the party favor! Like Mickey Mouse ears, aviator sunglasses, donuts, etc.
I think for kids, it’s fun to have some sort of craft to do at parties, or a craft they can take home as well. In the past I’ve done diy cookie making (gingerbread cookies), custom coloring pages, tattoos, a candy bar, magnet painting, wooden seashell painting, unicorn painting- just something fun and on theme for the event!
I like crafting so if there’s anything I want that I think I can make, I’m definitely the one staying up late on school nights painting something on the kitchen table lol.
The last and final thing I plan/prep for is the backdrop. We use these golden arches for every party and I usually decide on a backdrop cover color that I like and then from there plan decorative balloon arches and what color balloons to use- pro top: don’t choose a balloon color that matches the backdrop cover (unless of course your going monochromatic), the ones that match the cover get lost and then it looks like your arch has a gap between colors.
I’m going to share some photos of some prior parties and will do a round-up of more detailed posts down below!
Dessert Tables
Goodie Bag Tables
Craft/Activity Tables
Backdrop Decor
I love to make custom signs anytime I can! I love making graphics on Canva and then printing them either poster size or photo sizes to frame and display. I also love painting things when I can! I’m going to put some cute custom decor things down below for inspiration!
Custom Signs/Decor
This was actually so fun for me to go through and re-live these parties!
Linking all the more in detail posts for each party below!
+ Unicorns, Rainbows, & Cake OH MY!
+ TOP ONE
+ BABYLAND, a Disneyland themed baby shower
+ Bootscootin’ Baby Shower, a cowboy western party
+ Here Comes the Sun, first birthday party
*to shop any of the parties, there are links to everything in the blog posts above & every party is also linked on my LTK in my PARTY PLANNING category!
On Another Coast 