Party Preparations

In honor of Cameron's birthday we are doing a birthday themed week here at the blog!

Today we're breaking down the set up for the party!

After going back and forth with birthday party ideas for almost a year now (I'm a planner), we finally decided that the best route to go was...  Simple. 

• Small guest list- just family and a handful of close friends. 
• Easy decor
• Simple food

We wanted the day to really be about Cameron.  We really wanted to celebrate his first year.  That's how we came up with the sort of no-theme theme.  I didn't want to be so wrapped up in party games and other stuff that I lost sight of who and what this day was about. 

In the end, Cameron was the theme and he really enjoyed himself!

We also made just about everything that we used which made it really fun and personal.  And I should say that Pinterest may or may not have had a bit to do with the ideas. 

Here's what the day looked like:



This was super simple to make.  I got the idea from my good friend's blog from the sidebar (drywall and diapers). 

All it took was some ribbon, sticker letters, and scrapbook paper. 

1. Cut the papers into 4X5 rectangles. 
2. Cut the second papers into 3X4 rectangles. 
3. Glue them together. 
4. Stick on letters. 
5. Hole punch outer cards. 
6. Thread the ribbon. 
7. Hang.  And voila!! 

I'm excited to change the age and make new names to use this for party celebrations to come!

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For another doorway in the room we took baker's twine (a personal craft supply fave), extra pieces of scrapbook paper from the banner, clothespins, and pictures for the year in order to make a 1 year timeline (kind of like yesterday's post!).   There was one picture of Cameron from each month of the year. 

 This was really fun to make because Lukas and I got to look at all of the pictures from the year and pick out our favorite ones together.  It was a fun way for us to bond, laugh, and enjoy thinking about the great year we've had with our little boy. 

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I had a picture of the gift table, but my phone number was on the invitation that was pictured, so I didn't post it.  Allow me to paint a mental picture for you!

On the gift table we put out a picture of Cameron from the week of his birthday,  as well as the party invitation, and his birth announcement. 

That tiny green thing in the middle is the onesie that we took Cameron home from the hospital in.  It looked so little. 

We pivoted the cubby that usually goes against the wall that it's perpendicular to in the picture out in order to somewhat close off that area.  It was enough so that people could go to the bathroom if they wanted while also saying, "Please stay in this area of the house rather than that area." 
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I got this wonderful big red balloon from an online party supply shop called Sweet Lulu.  I had been picturing this big red balloon as a part of the party decor since I started visualizing the party decor.  I loved it! 

The amazing quilt on the wall was made by my super wonderful, super talented Grammy Joan.  We just got it 2 days before the party AND it was a surprise!  Nothing sweeter than a surprise last minute good addition to a party! 

The best part is that the letters of Cameron's name come off and we have the letters for our names too.  Whoever's birthday it is gets to celebrate with this quilt!  I love it.

And of course, what 1 year old birthday party doesn't have a smashing cake?

The cake may have been my favorite part (and Cameron's!).  I made a chocolate layer and a yellow layer and frosted it with colored icing and a frosting tip. 

The bunting was made by more (yes I still had some!) scrapbook paper originally purchased for the banner discussed earlier, more baker's twine, and food skewers also used for fruit on the table. 
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After decorating, we got to the food.  I love food. 

We had some celery and carrots pre-dipped in ranch dressing, taco dip, spinach dip, fruit skewers, and of course cupcakes!  I wanted it to be colorful, and I think it was!

Along with the soda outside, we had some lemon lime water.  Our hotel in Chicago had this made for us in the lobby every day and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I thought it was interesting that the limes sunk and the lemons floated.  Plus, I thought it would be another fun way to add color. 

Here's a close-up of the cupcakes.  They add a little bit more color and a lot more Cameron!

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Just add the birthday boy and your guests and you're ready to go! 



Don't forget to keep reading about birthday week!  We still have a cake smashing, and 1 year old gifts