I couldn't help it, my inner crazy crafter came out and I unleashed the glue gun (along with one too many stops at the local craft store) in preparation for Delaney's first birthday party.
Truth is, I absolutely love the process of planning a party, prepping all the decorations and coming up with a few fun food ideas. While I always enjoy a good theme, I honestly just liked the idea of incorporating fall colors, flavors and memories of my girl throughout her first year. A huge thanks to the amazingly talented
Pinterest community, along with my amazingly creative friend
Avery for the inspiration behind many of the details for Delaney's big day. Her party was held a couple days after her actual birthday, and we were so fortunate to be joined by her little buddies from playgroup, a few neighbor friends and of course my parents and sister.
I wanted to keep the food simple, flavorful and most importantly it had to be something I could prepare in advance. I always like to combine a few homemade options along with store-bought items, such a great way to lighten your work load when entertaining a large group.
Savory:
Roasted Tomato Soup w/ Cheesy Garlic Crostini (recipe to come)
Honey Baked Ham + Carved Turkey Sliders
Baked Mac + Cheese (thank you Kraft Homestyle)
Veggie Tray w/ Dill Dip
Clam Dip w/ Potato Chips (another easy recipe I'll share)
Mixed Greens Salad w/ Gorgonzola, Candied Walnuts, Sliced Pears + Honey Balsamic
Sweet / Beverages
Cinnamon Sugar + Glazed Spice Donut Holes
Saltwater Taffy
Vanilla Bean + Dark Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Buttercream Frosting
Caramel Apples
Hot Spiced Apple Cider
Bud Light Keg (I mean, the parents deserve a little fun)
All sweets were store-bought, except the caramel apples (a labor of love at about 11pm the night before - thank you Mom, Dad + Ren) and Delaney's big cupcake made by her Daddy - so cute!
A few of my favorite decor details were so easy and simple to put together. I love using mason jars as picture "frames" - simply place a 4x6 print in each and tie a ribbon around the mouth of each jar.
Also, this photo + initial "wreath" just required a bit of double stick tape to hold the pictures in a large circle / collage. The "D" initial was a wooden letter mod-podged with coordinating scrapbook paper.
Her month-to-month banner was simply black and white 5x7's printed with a white border. I used a corner rounder for the edges and strung the photos in order with turquoise raffia and paper flowers.
The paper flower centerpiece was just sticks from trees in my backyard, arranged in an antique silver milk jug. I then cut out different types of paper flowers and stuck two together throughout the arrangement with double sided tape. The tiered serving dish was a fabulous idea from my crafty neighbor Kim - I just purchased 3 cake pans in different sizes and cut scrapbook paper to fit around each pan. I then used little plastic glasses (filled with taffy) and superglued them to the base and tops of the pans. For the candy dishes I just cut coordinating ribbon to fit around vases I had in the house.
The banners were once again just scrapbook paper cut to size, coordinating ribbon, and die-cut letters purchased from Etsy.com
And of course, my favorite detail of all. The birthday girl herself, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her guests:
It was a wonderful day spent with wonderful friends...nothing like being surrounded by those who have watched your child grow from a newborn baby to a busy, toddling one-year old. It really meant so much to me. And after shaking off her initial shyness, the party girl did just that.
She partied.
Oh, and did I mention there was more cake?
Cause ya' know this one loves her cake...
Get it baby girl. ;)
xoxo
