When my daughter turned two, we decided to make her birthday party smaller in size and simpler in detail than her First Birthday Party (see link). As with most children’s parties, the first is always more grand and elaborate. Generally speaking, the succeeding birthday parties tend to decrease in number of guests, food, decors, and other details — which also mean costs are then minimized. Β This is exactly what we wanted and did for our little girl’s 2nd birthday celebration.
At the early age of 2, she is already exhibiting a love for all things pink and sweet. (I wonder where she got that from?) As such, we chose a vintage Ice Cream Shoppe theme for her 2nd birthday party. π
I’ve previously written about the yummy desserts in this party in the article :Β The Other Dessert Table. I’ve also made an earlier post about her very special Birthday Cake hereΒ (see link).
So now, allow me to share with you the other details of her 2nd birthday party…
Invitations were simple, hand made and no-fuss. They were done on kraft paper that gave the look of old, vintage letters. The two images that were used as “postage stamps” : an ice cream cone and my daughter’s name, were hand-drawn byΒ Pink Teacup Shoppe. They did the decors and all the other pretty elements of the party as well.
Decors were very simple but dainty. These paper buntings painted with shades of baby pink and light caramel brown were hung on the glass walls of the party venue.
Table centerpieces were uncomplicated and non-distracting. We used three paper ice cream cones, placed one carnation flower on each of them (pink and white) and placed them inside individual clear glasses.
The placemats on the adults’ tables had that vintage look and feel as well.
The kids’ tables had their own version too. These paper placemats turned out to be a good and practical idea because these served as coloring sheets as well. Paper cups, paper napkins and paper straws from Party Starters were also added and done in a combination of pinks and blues in a mix of stripes and polkadots.
The Dessert Table made by Michelle Teves of Coco CakesΒ was made to look like theΒ “Ice Cream Shoppe”. Different shades of pink and chocolate brown were used here to tie in the whole look together.
Here, we displayed all the sweets that children love in birthday parties, since The Other Dessert Table as shown in my previous post was made with the taste of the “grown-ups” in mind. π
These were just some of the treats on this table…
Cupcakes topped with ice cream waffle cones…
Salted Caramel macarons shaped like ice cream…
Ice Cream Cookies…
Cake Pops in chocolate and red velvet made to look like ice cream covered in hot fudge…
Mallow Cones or mini marshmallows in ice cream cones…
Pink lemonade in jars…
Wooden spoons, forks and knives with hand-painted stamps (my daughter’s name, ice cream logo, and polkadots) packed together with cute ice cream paper napkins…
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt cups with customized stickers…
Loot bag 1 : An ice cream tumbler that contained ice cream toys, goodies and other knick knacks…
Loot bag 2 : Pink and blue towels inserted in ice cream waffle cones made of paper…
The kids were encouraged to write and color on their placemats all throughout the party!
My daughter’s chubby little fingers π
My Masterpiece Movement provided the educational form of entertainment in the party. They did story telling, a puppet show, singing, dancing and a lot of artwork making. They’ve done my son’s 7th birthday party too (see link), which had a totally different theme, look and feel to it.
My Masterpiece Movement provided activities that were fun, educational and age-appropriate for our little guests. Yes, the OC Mummy here specifically told them : no rowdy games, no irritating loud music and please, no annoying shouts from the hosts (as is commonly seen in most children’s parties nowadays)! π
The toddlers learned a lot while having fun!
Since I had mostly young girls in this party, we came up with another “girl-y activity” for them : Cake Decorating.
The little girls were given one mini cake each to decorate!
The birthday girl loved sprinkling candies and chocolates on her cake!
Of course, just like what every mother would say : this cake was a masterpiece!!! π
On that day, it didn’t matter anymore that my little girl’s cake was messy and crooked nor that it had two mismatched, uncoordinated candles. What mattered most (and hopefully, what she will remember) was that she was allowed to eat her cake, have a lot of ice cream and sing and dance to her heart’s delight… until she got so tired and cranky that she eventually fell asleep on my arms on our way home. π
Here’s wishing my little junior, my mini-me, more light and love as she continues to grow day by day.Β May all your dreams big and small, come true, you cranky little princess!!
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Pink Teacup Shoppe (Lorrie Battung) – 0932-127-3055
Party Starters (Maan San Buenaventura) – 0933-364-0685 / 0927-929-1075
Coco Cakes (Michelle Teves) – 0917-649-0687
My Masterpiece Movement (Anna Cortez) – 0917-528-7301
Little People Lifestyle Photography (Krissy Rodriguez) – 0920-907-9241
OK, I think I just died of sweetness. What a gorgeous yet simple party, Grace!
Thanks Martine! Girl birthday parties are always pretty and fun to do! π
Hahaha! I was literally laughing when I read “no annoying shouts from the host”. I feel super annoyed at exactly this during kiddie parties!
Great spread, love love love it!!!
Im glad Im not the only one! π
We second the ban of irritating and annoying from Children’s Parties everywhere π
super cute! love all the details!
Hi Grace, would you kindly share venue details? I keep coming back to your site, this page in particular for inspiration. Love love, especially the minimalist & classy feel of your daughter’s 2nd birthday party (sans balloons and traditional party host). Our own little princess is turning one soon and though I feel that our budget is way below yours, I’m hoping creativity, imagination and being resourceful can help us make it happen. God bless! xoxo
**can help make it happen..
Hi Thesa, venue was Tower Club in Makati. Good luck with your party planning! π
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E Grace! Super love the personalized details!!! Im thinking of copying some of your ideas to my daughter’s baptism reception. π thanks for another great post!!
Go ahead, feel free! Thank you for loving the blog! π
Hi Grace. I’ve always loved your blog but now that I’m backreading through your children’s parties, I just loved it even more. I like how you thoughtfully consider what your kid wants based on their age and customize each birthday tastefully without going overboard. This is very timely since I’m planning for an intimate party for my daughter who’s about to turn two. I got really helpful details from you. π
Thank you, Ruby! Im glad you are getting some tips and inspiration from the blog. π I agree with you, parties need not be expensive in order for it to be fun. And yes mummies like us need not go overboard with the decorations, since what the birthday child remembers more is how much he enjoyed his party and not how expensive his table center pieces or lootbags were π
Happy party planning!