Birthday party themes?

Turtle143

There are birthday parties happening now around us and it is getting me in the planning mood!

Are you doing a theme this year?

If so, what?

Are you keeping within a certain budget? Care to share?
What did you do last year?

What would you do differently?

 

 

Turtle143

tas1883:

No major party here. We are going to Hawaii two weeks before her b-day for a week so not planning anything.  May just have a couple of our family friends over for cake and play along with the grandparents. 

Fun!

We're going to Hawaii next week. Curious what island you are going? 

I don't want to do anything major either. I didn't think last year was grand but some friends did think it was. 

Turtle143

Turtle143:

There are birthday parties happening now around us and it is getting me in the planning mood!

Are you doing a theme this year? -- she really loves all thing Spot (by Eric Hill) so I decided we'll do that theme and I'm so excited for her!

If so, what?

Are you keeping within a certain budget? Care to share? Last year, we didn't set a certain budget. I have an idea of how much it ended up being and it's more than I think it could have been.

What did you do last year? Did a lot of DIYs, banners, toppers, cakes, decor. I spent more than necessary on her outfits.

What would you do differently? Less DIY craziness, keep things simple

 

 

M&M227

We're planning on the park this year.  Our park has a gazebo that you can rent for like $30.  We'll borrow some tables and chairs and probably just grab pizzas and have chips and cupcakes.  The park has an awesome playground and a huge field so all the kids can just run around and play.  We're also inviting a lot less people.  Mainly family and friends with kids.

kimbo1216

We're doing a Panda Bear theme.  Cooking for everyone again (had about 70 people last year), but we're doubling it as a house warming party.  This year, we are adding a bounce house, so it will probably be more expensive. 

heie0008

We are doing a puppy theme this year. DD is in love with all things puppy (and we don't even own a dog)! She basically calls most animals "puppy" and will bark (it cracks us up). 

There is really no budget other than I like to do things cheap and I like to make my own decorations. Last year I did a cupcake and polka dot theme (not much of a theme).

This year we are going to be doing more games to keep people entertained. 

amberpro

Well, I'm doing it. A Mickey Mouse clubhouse theme. I wasn't sure I wanted to do the whole character theme, but he gets SO excited when he sees anything mickey and can name all the characters, so I've committed. 

There are actually some super cute Pinterest ideas for a MM theme. Last year there were a ton of people. This year, we'll do a park probably, less people, hot dogs (or should I say hot diggity dogs) instead of full BBQ.  But still decorations and I've been looking at toddler friendly bounce houses. 

ishka338

M is big into Thomas right now, so I think we're going with that.  I'm hoping to make it a little smaller than last year, but our families are both rather large and there just seems to never be a good cutoff place.  Last year I also did a bunch of DIY and this year with a 2 year old and a 3 month old, I'm not sure that's going to happen.

LexGator

We're doing an ice cream party -- as in food and decor. Not sure if we'll just do something small with our playgroup or a weekend shindig for more people, but whatever we do, it'll be ice-cream themed.

Andie_83

I've already pinned a bunch stuff Z is in love with Yo Gabba Gabba so I'm going to make her a themed cake. We'll probably just do what we did last year and have just close friends and family over for a late lunch/early dinner sort of thing. We've got a big yard with a play set so we'll set up her pool and let the kids go to town. There's not much I would do differently because we stayed pretty low key and I like it that way.

megastar007

Are you doing a theme this year? Yep!

If so, what? We're doing tractor theme.  Not necessarily John Deere, but using the colors green and yellow

Are you keeping within a certain budget? Care to share? Don't really have a budget, but it will be fairly low key with lots of DIY crafty touches.  30 people tops at a park with a great playground.  The most expensive part will be his John Deere power wheels that we want to get him as his gift. ($200ish)

 

What did you do last year? Last year we did a nautical/sailor theme.  It was really cute with lots of crafty DIY touches.  I totally think that these homemade parties are memorable because a lot of love goes into them!

What would you do differently?  Nothing really... We only invite family and friends with kids around the same age.  There is no sense in boring our friends who don't have kids, or creating tons of extra work for myself trying to entertain older kids.

 Here is a pic of the invite I designed for him... Also, the info isn't the real info so no need to worry

AuburnGirl20062009

Are you doing a theme this year? we are doing a theme

If so, what?  I try to limit the amount of TV and what type of shows I let MG see. She has fallen in love with Sweet Pea off of Veggie Tales and we're doing a Sweet Pea themed party this year. (God made you special)

Are you keeping within a certain budget? We aren't really concerned about budget. 

What did you do last year? Last year we held her Strawberry Shortcake themed party at an arcade. Not recommended for a 1st Bday

What would you do differently? We are having it at my IL this year.

 

 

Turtle143

tas1883:

Turtle143:

tas1883:

No major party here. We are going to Hawaii two weeks before her b-day for a week so not planning anything.  May just have a couple of our family friends over for cake and play along with the grandparents. 

Fun!

We're going to Hawaii next week. Curious what island you are going? 

I don't want to do anything major either. I didn't think last year was grand but some friends did think it was. 

Ohau.  So Waikiki, Honolulu.  Everyone says we are going to the city and won't relax.  How can I relax with a almost 2 year old and a H that doesn't know how to sit back and relax.

Got back from Maui last week. You are absolutely right! We stayed in the quieter Kihei and Wailea areas and I wish we would have stayed in the busier, livelier areas instead! We frequented baby beaches in Lahaina and Kaanapali so we were always driving out of those 2 areas we stayed in. Oh well...next time we know.

Have fun! And yes....a tropical vacation is just not quite the same with a toddler..still fun though!

vanessa999

Are you doing a theme this year? Yes we are doing a princess theme She does love Mickey's Clubhouse  but I don't really want to do that so I decided to do a princess theme. 

If so, what? Princess theme with white, gray, and light pink colors. 

Are you keeping within a certain budget? Care to share?
What did you do last year? I don't have a specific budget. We are going to do it at a park here locally and it cost around $30 to rent a pavilion. For food I think we are going to get a party platter from a sub place and I am going to make the cupcakes. So between the food, decorations and her dress and shoes it will probably be around $200 or so. Last year we did a zoo animal theme. More zebra than anything else, the colors were dark pink, green, and black. 

What would you do differently? Last year we had it at a local pizza place so we didn't have a lot of room or anything so it'll be nice to have it at the park and have a ton of room. We moved to Utah after her birthday last year so I was hoping we would be able to have it in California again this year because all my friends and family are there but we can't afford to go down there and pay for her birthday so we are doing it here and hoping at least my parents and brothers can make it and we have some friends here. 

gymnst1013

Robots.  Nikolai is OBSESSED with them.  I haven't even started to think about it yet though.