Backpack as functional party favor
Safari backpack
I am known for throwing parties that are way too extravagant–in size, detail, food–you name it. At the same time, I am big on staying on budget. In order to stay on budget as you create a unique party, it is important to decide the features most important to your party, and spend money on those.
In this case, for JT’s birthday, I decided the invitation and party favors would be where I’d spend a good chunk of my money. Since the invitations turned out to be such a bargain, I had more than I had anticipated left over from the budget for a functional party favor–a backpack.
My favorite way to achieve maximum bang for my buck is to create double duties for my party favors and activities. I came to this epiphany upon waking up from a deep night’s slumber: If I was going to have a party favor, I wanted it to correlate with the King of the Jungle theme that I was planning for JT, and it would be functional enough for them to carry their passports and materials around. I also wanted something that they could re-use. The backpack idea was perfect.
However, the search for the darn things were a pain in the neck. Luckily for me, I spread my idea, and Auntie T was able to find it at Target for me on sale at $9 a piece, complete with binoculars, water bottle, compass/whistle.
Although this is an extravagant party favor, I had budgeted to spend a good chunk for the party favors in addition to the invitations, anyway.
There was also the option of purchasing the backpacks from the $.99 store. However, the inventory is different from store to store, and there were only 10 in my local store–I have 35 kids. I figured the driving to search in other stores would have burned gas, which equals $$$ anyway.
The rest of the party details–games/activities, food, entertainment, decor–are either free or of very little cost.
Stay tuned!
Healthy party treat: frozen bananas
At one too many parties, the kids in my neck of the woods have gotten high, literally, from the copious amounts of sugar offered to them–from the pinata, party favor bags, and cake.
This time around, I am limiting the traditional forms of sweets (i.e.; candy and cookies) served, and turning towards nature’s simple sugars to satisfy any sweet fiends attending the party. I am serving bananas.
How perfect is this treat for the King of the Jungle Safari theme I am going for for JT’s first birthday party? Jungle, monkeys, bananas…get it? To entice the children, however, I am:
1) Calling it a snack that the natives of the jungle eat
2) Freezing them on lollipop sticks, and
3) Allowing them to adorn and create their frozen bananas as they please with a dipping station.
Here is a list of what I’m providing as dipping items for the children’s bananas:
-whipped cream
-marshmallow creme
-sprinkles
-fruity pebbles
-caramel
I am choosing these particular dipping items because I am hoping that it will encourage the children to
eat whatever they can while sitting at the station, and not sneak any off with them. The marshmallow creme and whipped cream also work as an adhesive for the other dipping items.
Here is how I created the frozen bananas:
1. Cut each large banana in half.
2. Push a skinny, short lollipop stick through the flat edge of the banana half.
3. Wrap in foil.
4. Freeze overnight.
In theory, the children should have fun creating an item they’ll be eating, and satisfy their sweet tooth at the same time. I’ll let you all know how it all works out this Sunday!
UPDATE: The children thoroughly enjoyed the frozen banana treat. On the day of the party, we had a little snafu where the bananas were not put in the freezer at the facility we had the party at, but in the refrigerator…for 3 hours. So, the bananas ended up with a soft, creamy texture, instead of a hard, icy texture. Surprisingly, when I tasted it, it was much better than I’d expect it to be–it felt and tasted like banana ice cream. My sisters and some other adults commented on how good it tasted. Let this be an example of how glitches in our party can actually be beneficial!
What unique treats have you done at your parties? Anything cool happen by accident?
King of the Jungle Safari invitations
The finished product!
My son’s first birthday is one week away! It really is amazing that he’s come so far in this past year. It’s been a loooong year for our family, that’s for sure, from the disheartening diagnosis to the hospital stays. JT has really fought hard and we want this celebration to signify all that he’s been through.
In order to set the tone for the magnitude of this event, I felt it necessary to focus a portion of my budget on couture, handcrafted invitations. After researching online from several different sites specializing in children’s party invitations and announcements, I found none to my liking as they were not personalized enough. None of the invitations portrayed my son’s uniqueness. So, I set out to create my own.
Because my child was born in the month of the Leo, I wanted the main logo to be a lion. From that, I conjured up the theme of King of the Jungle Safari.
I did further research online to decide what I wanted the general design to be including the size of the card, colors, and possible layers. I visited some wedding invitation sites for ideas as well. Then, I headed to a local specialty paper shop, Paper Source, for the purchase of my materials.
It was crucial that I researched ahead of time to gain a better understanding of how I wanted my invitation to look like before entering the shop. I knew that once I got there, I would easily be distracted by the infinite options.
However, my plan to get in and get out was delayed, nonetheless. I couldn’t help it! There was a myriad of colored papers, textures, stamps, inspirations…I couldn’t turn away!
After about 2 hours in the store, I ended up purchasing the materials necessary to create the invitation I had originally come in for. However, I also found inspiration for the lion that would don the card in one of their stamps. I found this on their online website, copied it, and cleaned it up in Adobe Photoshop.
By chance we ended up with a chartreuse green to compliment the poppy orange cardstock that I had originally come in for. Originally, I was interested in pairing the orange with a pool blue. The combination was beautiful, but there was just not enough cardstock in that color. The green worked out much better as it resonated with the jungle, safari theme better. I love last minute improvising!
To keep the invitation formal, but still kid party-like, I purchased sheets of polka dot paper to line the half of the 5×7 card. Then, the ivory cardstock (that matched the ivory polka dots) that would contain all the text would overlay in the center.
The wording of the invitation was also very important to me. I made sure that it would reflect Justin and his journey and the fact that we wanted everyone in our lives to join in the celebration. I also wanted to make it clear that this was a BIG party. As words are one of my favorite things in this world, I played around of a few of them to produce the following:
“My little dear, it’s been a year/A year we never knew could be./You have given us the gift of YOU/Now, this celebration is for thee.
Family and friends, we would be honored to have you and yours join us in celebrating JT’s first year of life with a party fit for a king!
I am quite proud of my creation as it is not only ultra-personalized, but it was also handmade by me, his Mama, and his aunties. Even more special!
One of the best perks of making your own invitations? Keeping things within budget. I ended up spending only $.80 per invitation plus an additional $.42 for stamp. Online companies were selling me invitations for at least $1.30 each without postage.
Stay tuned for the party details!
Party time!
I am a wedding consultant and designer turned stay-at-home mom, party planner extraordinaire! Circumstances in my life changed when my second son was diagnosed with severe congenital heart defects; there were moments when the certainty of his life hung by a thread. Now, at almost 1 year old, there is much to celebrate about.
To me, parties are the ultimate way to celebrate a person’s life. My taste calls for extravagance with food, games, entertainment, and decor fit for all ages, no matter the occasion or location. Being a stay-at-home mom, with only my husband’s income to sustain our household of four, I find creative ways to create unique parties on a budget. Extravagance does not mean breaking the bank.
Of course, having been in the wedding industry for eight years does have its perks. My connections are plentiful. But, I’ve gained some tricks up my sleeve I would love to share with you.
I love parties and will muster up the energy to plan one even after a full day of whining, fighting, feeding, chasing, cooking, paying bills, cleaning…you get the picture. If there is one thing I’ve learned from my second son, it is how precious life is, and how worthy it is of celebrating.
Here, I’ll be focusing on children’s parties from newborn to grade school. I invite you to dive into PeeWeeParties for unique tips and ideas for planning your next event for your little ones!
Life is a process. With that being said, I also welcome your ideas on how you plan your parties. My extended family is rather large. There seems to be at least 2-3 birthdays every month of the year. I’d love to get some fresh and unique ideas on how to throw parties together in a cinch to make everyone feel special.
Can’t wait to party!
