make g n i t s a l s e i r o mem ! now PLUS UNIQUE DIYs & CREATIVE INVITATIONS
Birthday Party Planner
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FUN IDEAS THAT TAKE THE CAKE
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s k e we ad 1. Pick a theme... e h a
Top Ideas
owls ballerinas teddy bears race cars duckies robots cowboys cupcakes sports safari polka dots circus hearts
One cohesive idea from invitations through thankyou notes will have the biggest impact. Ask yourself... What does your baby like? What theme did you pick for the nursery? How about your baby shower invitations? You could go with one of those or use your imagination!
Look to Kissy Kissy’s adorable prints for inspiration!
Need Help?
Click below to visit Kissy Kissy’s birthday board on Pinterest. Prepare to be inspired! We’ve curated the best ideas for décor, cakes, food, invitations and more!
2. Make the guest list
Family members and friends are top of the list, but don’t forget daycare pals, neighbors and the little one’s best friend.
Tip:
Allow your older children to invite one friend so they don’t feel left out.
3. Select a location
Decide between the comforts of home and the convenience of an outside venue. (No cleanup!) You’ll need to make reservations now. Great off-site ideas include local ice cream shops, aquariums, zoos and indoor entertainment centers.
Tip:
Create your own Pinterest board to organize your ideas. But make it a secret board so no one is tipped off in advance.
4. Set the date & time
Schedule the party when your child will be at his/her best. Also, decide on how long you want the party to last. One to two hours may be as long as your little one can last.
Click photos throughout to find the source for each.
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Inviting Options
Shop for unique invitations with cool themes and personalized photos at sites like these: Print TinyPrints Minted Snapfish Online Evite PunchBowl Both PaperlessPost Celebrations Hallmark
1. Write out invites.
Match invitations to the theme. Include the date, location (with directions) and RSVP information. Add specifics. For instance, if it’s a pool party, ask guests to bring suits and towels. And if a meal will be served, mention that too!
Get Crafty!
Find a DIY invitation project that you can customize to make it as unique as your baby.
Tip: etsy.com has loads of printable invitations
2. Choose the activites. Choose simple games and activities that will be easy and fun for parents and youngsters to do together. Also, book any performers and entertainers you would like present.
3. Create the menu.
Keep the food selection simple. You want it easy to serve, eat and clean up. Jazz up the presentation to bring a hint of fun and carry your theme through. Decide what will be homemade or what you’ll order in.
Tip:
Love those lavish cakes on TV? Find a blogger with detailed photos to show you how it’s done.
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1. Mail Invitations. Tip:
Ask for themed stamps at the post office.
2. Get all party supplies.
Make a list of all decorations, DIY supplies, serving utensils and goodie bag items.
3. Start making DIY projects.
For a party they’ll never forget, whip out your glue guns and fire up a few YouTube turorials.
4. Arrange for extra help.
It’s going to be a busy day, ask a responsible friend or family member for backup.
5. Shop for baby’s outfit.
Remember, there will be tons of pictures. Dress your baby well. Kissy Kissy’s got loads of prints to match any birthday theme, including this tulleembellished cupcake bib!
Click here to learn to make it!
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k e e w ad e h a
Learn to paint faces!
1. Schedule activities.
Your best chances for a great party start with a plan. Know when you’ll be doing what.
2. Make sample crafts.
If you’ll be keeping the littles busy with a few DIYs, make a couple examples to show’em how it’s done.
3. Follow up with guests.
Call all guests who have not responded. Sometimes invites get lost in the mail.
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Crank up the tunes!
1. Buy food.
Make your list and check it twice. You don’t want to open your doors to a crowd of kiddos only to realize there’s no ice.
Tip:
Check out our selection on YouTube (Click each song title): 1. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
2. Mamma Mia by ABBA 3. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
4. Forever by Chris Brown 5. Wannabe by Spice Girls 6. Happy
by Pharrell Williams
7. Get Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith
8. Don’t Stop Til You Get
Enough
by Michael Jackson
Dress up store-bought goodies with festive picks and wrappers.
9. Call Me Maybe
by Carly Rae Jepsen
10. Girls Just Wanna Have
Fun by Cyndi Lauper
11. Cups by Anna Kendrick 12. Who Says
by Selena Gomez
13. Unwritten
by Natasha Bedingfield
14. Baby by Justin Bieber 15. Roar by Katy Perry 16. Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day
2. Assemble goodie bags. What’s a party without parting gifts?
3. Create a playlist.
Need help? Check out our choices!
17. Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men
18. Whip My Hair by Willow Smith
19. Let It Go by Idina Menzel 20. Cha Cha Slide
by Mr. C The Slide Man
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1. Bake the cake.
If you’re making a relatively simple cake, start now. If you’re going for a masterpiece, make like a cake expert and start earlier. Make it in stages, baking one day, assembling another and decorating it in the end.
2. Prep make-ahead foods.
Tip: Define party area with balloons and streamers, and close doors to other rooms.
3. Decorate. Decorate your home if it’s the party location. No need to break the bank. Repurpose things around the house or get crafty. If the party is off-site, gather and pack all supplies, including tape, string and removable self-adhesive hooks.
The
g i B Day 1. Pace the day.
Change up the activities every 10-15 minutes so kids don’t get bored. If something’s not going well, drop it. If they love something, let it run over.
Tip:
Write down the schedule on an index card to refer to throughout the party.
Schedule in no more than 20-30 minutes for a performer or entertainer. Allot 15-20 minutes each for eating, cutting the cake and opening gifts.
2. Greet Guests.
Have an activity area ready for arriving guests. Point them to the toys where they can play individually until others arrive. Have someone helping to greet and direct guests to the event area.
Tip:
Hire a photographer or ask for a volunteer to take pictures during the party.
3. Have a Present Plan.
If you want to open gifts the day of the party, make it a game for all the kids. Pull names out of a hat to choose whose gifts get opened next. If you want to wait, take a picture of your child with the gift to send with the thankyou note.
3. Say Goodbye in Style.
Have your child personally say thank you and goodbye to each guest. Make sure to hand them a goodie bag as they leave.
Capture the memory 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Go for photos when your baby’s at his or her best. Try to take some shots before guests arrive and distract baby. Photography’s all about lighting. Pick a room with the best natural light. Create a festive backdrop. Snap lots of frames, and you’ll have lots of options from which to pick. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be adorable.
Timeless. Adorable. Comfortable.