So just a few days after my own birthday party, it was my little girl’s turn… I promised myself that as she grows older, her parties will become smaller and smaller. As we mummies know, the cost of children’s parties get higher and higher too every year. I simply don’t want her (and her friends) to expect extravagant parties from me on a yearly basis!
So for her 4th birthday party last December, I put on my “practical mummy hat” once again.
If you have been following me on Instagram for quite a while now, you would remember how this day happened…
There was a typhoon slated to come in on that day, with heavy landfall expected to happen in the afternoon on the exact time of my little girl’s party. Being a mother who panics at the slightest things that go off course, I stormed the gates of heavens with prayers to grant us a good day — yes, even for just a couple of hours while the party goes on.
As any parent would understand, I didn’t want my daughter to remember her special day with sadness — should the day be filled with heavy rains or if no one amongst her friends would come.
So I went on and continued with the party preps as planned…
I wanted a pretty but still simple party, which made me decide to buy and do things on my own. I didn’t want to spend on the unnecessary things such as buying too many things or hiring a stylist to do such a small party for me.
So I called Party Starters and just ordered their Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Kit a few days in advance. They were able to personalize the supplies according to my party’s theme and colors.
Theme : Christmas Picnic in the Garden
Venue : Our own garden at home
Red polka dot paper plates, wooden utensils, red polka dot paper napkins, personalized water bottle labels, blue mason jars, white picket fence centerpiece : Ordered from Party Starters
Red mums and white baby’s breath fresh flowers : From Market Market
Red and white gingham ribbon : From my own supplies at home
Wooden picnic benches : Rented from Windsor Crystal Chairs
Simple but beautiful flower arrangement from Market Market that cost me only P150 a bundle!
Party food platters : Ordered from Gourmet Garage Catering.
Since my daughter is obsessed with Disney’s Frozen, I got Olaf to dance for her and her friends! (Party Starters helped me get the mascot.)
Clear mason jars with personalized sticker labels : From Party Starters
Red and blue striped candy bag holder and personalized labels : From Party Starters
Red and white checkered picnic table cloth : Given by a friend, recycled from my daughter’s 3rd birthday party last year (click here)
Wooden clothespin : a gift I received two Christmases ago, from friends Kitty and Mia of Craftsmith Living
Red and silver polkadot paper envelopes containing chocolates : a gift sent by my sis-in-law from New York. (Bought from Party City)
Red and blue rock candy, also from my sis : From Party City
Santa’s chocolate chip cookies : From Flour Jar
White rainbow cake with snowflake toppers – From Coco Cakes
Fruit Picnic Cupcakes – From Coco Cakes
The dessert table — small and simple but still pretty, I think 🙂
Her Blue Garden Handkerchief Dress by Sophie Catalou : From Chi Chi Mary Boutique.
The most important thing about this day was that my daughter and her small group of friends enjoyed the party! Who would have thought that the course of the typhoon would change?! It was storm signal no. 3 that morning and the skies were really dark and grey, so we were surprised to see the sun come out just when the party was about to start! And all throughout, the winds gently blew which gave us all a nice, cool breeze in the garden.
Her simple birthday wish of having a “Picnic Birthday Party” — without a single drop of rain, just came true!
To my little girl (who is very much my mini me ) : I love you more than words can say. May you see more of your dreams come to life!
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Photography
JR Torres – 0923 516 5154
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I first wrote about this DIY party in this article here, as part of my December’s Fave Things.
To read more of my children’s parties, click here.
So lovely! Thank you for sharing this cute set up. I wish we also have a garden like yours. Bookmarked your post for future reference 🙂 Happy birthday to your daughter. 🙂
Thank you, Heart! Actually, you don’t really need a big space for a party like this. Any outdoor (or even indoor if no choice) venue would be good! 🙂
Belated happy birthday Alessi! Kudos to such great styling Grace! I loved every detail. so pretty!
Thank you, Mika! xxx
I just visited your current post through your one other page. I am happy to know new points about a great birthday party arrangments, and also have suggested it to my all 4 family members. Actually my kids always try to go for the birthday celebrations of their friends and each time I have to spend a lot. But your post has given me some new points to consider and I a,m able to make celebrations at my own home.
I would surely come back again for better consultation. Thank you so much
I must say your provided ideas are great and help me to spend my enough time with my kids. The birthday of my daughter is near, at the end of this December. You made my day by posting such a great and valuable post with interesting images and ideas.
I will be in touch for more such great ideas. Thanks