Do It Yourself Parties

My sister-in-law Eve found out they were having their first boy. They were super excited and with my brother being a big sports fan, they decided that they wanted a Sports Themed Baby Shower for their "little slugger". Teaming up with my other sister-in-law Kelsey, this is what we came up with...

THE INVITATION:

I kind of mashed up a few things I had seen on previous invitations. Its nothing special but I was going for super simple.

THE DECOR:

We stuck with football, baseball, basketball as they are the main American sports that my brother follows. We wanted to create centerpieces that were sporty but still felt soft and feminine as it was her baby shower. Our flower of choice was baby's breath because it added softness without dominating the centerpieces.

We used onsies in their favorite teams to create buntings around the room. They were gifted to Eve for the baby after their initial baby shower use.

We also made decorations for the nursery and used those as shower decor. We made letters and spray painted old trophies just to add to the effect.

THE FAVORS:

Nothing says ball game like Cracker Jacks! We just bought a bunch of 3 pack cracker Jacks from the Dollar Tree whick made of a frugal and delicious treat.

THE FOOD:

We had fruit, popcorn, lemonade and cupcakes for the shower. One gal brought cute decorates mason jars instead of plastic cups. It added a nice personal touch to the day.

THE CAKE:

My sister-in-law Kelsey made the cupcakes for the party. She is the cupcake queen!

GAMES:

We did a mix of typical baby shower activities like, daddy or mommy. Who's eyes will the baby have? Who's nose will the baby have? etc. Mom will have answered the questions previously and the winner is whoever guessed the closest. I always leave it up to the mom if they like games or not. Always ask first.

So, that was our Sports Baby Shower... Happy Partying to you!

_____________________________________________

SOME PINTEREST IDEAS

My sister and her husband are in full-time Christian Missionary work like my husband and I are. Since they is visiting, we'd decided to throw them a Baby Shower for their first baby. As she was kind of undecided between Books and Travel for a theme, we kind of meshed it into both to create this baby shower...

THE INVITATION:

Because its a one of a kind theme, I created the invitation with the closest book quote that I could possibly imagine.

THE DECOR:

We worked with maps, globes and children's stories. Suitcases and baby blue were woven throughout as she's expecting a baby boy.

For the tables we focused in on the children's books.

We made a sitting area for my sister to enjoy her shower and open gifts... as well as use for a photo backdrop.

THE FAVORS:

We created Chinese Take Out containers for the favors as we had so much dessert for all to take.

THE FOOD:

We had LOTS of finger foods! Especially food that correlated with a book or two.

Dessert was the name of the game. It worked REALLY well with a lot of children's books.

GAMES:

We did a mix of typical baby shower activities but some of the highlights were the madlibs at each place setting. They were really fun to read out and were kept for the baby's scrap book. We also tested people's knowledge on the recent costs of baby items in a Price is Right game.

So, that was our Books and Travel Baby Shower... Happy Partying to you!

_____________________________________________

SOME PINTEREST IDEAS

For my daughter's 8th birthday we did a Puss in Boots Theme. Because the movie is still in theaters, there wasn't any sort of party supplies for this birthday party theme. So after searching Google Images and Blog stalking party sites we came up with a few adapted ideas and a few originals. So here are some Puss in Boots Birthday Party Ideas...

THE INVITATION:

I decided to make a movie ticket style invitation since I had planned to take the kids to the theater to see the movie.I found a similar invitation on ETSY.COM by YourPartyDesigns but I made this one for our party. Buy from them if you don't know how to do these projects yourself.

THE DECOR:

Since we are in the midst of moving house, I could not host an actual party... however, I have looked at a bunch of sites and collected a variety of ideas for a party in this particular theme.

The only party supply item I could find for this theme was a foil balloon but I'm sure over time there will be more.

Mexican Bunting is used throughout the film. You can find very beautifully made bunting on ETSY.COM pictured below. I found this made by CApow. I loved it immediately! However, I tend to make all my own decorations to save a buck. The second picture below is how I would go about doing it. I would either make flags from different colored material and spray paint lace over the top with black spray paint OR I would just take rectangle paper doilies and paint them multicolor and hang them. Also, any type of Mexican Fiesta type decor would work... there are just a few of my thoughts.

Movie Scene

Jack and the beanstalk is a great reference point to search for ideas when you watch this movie. I found this pool noodle beanstalk that I love! The noodles were tied together at one end with raffia then weaved together like a braid. Very creative. Kudos to Piggy Bank Parties on creativity!

Movie Scene

When the movie comes out on video it would be fun to have a "drive-in" viewing of the movie too! I found this picture on pinterest.

For centerpieces I would put something like this rubber ducky display on the table... however I would get styrofoam eggs (instead of balls) and paint them gold and put them on a diy terracotta cake stand with a rubber ducky on top... something like that. (example below)

Another Idea is to have a Terracotta drip tray with a few green lima beans or Kiwi Jelly Bellys on them.

movie scene

I would also hang a few of these posters around the room.

THE FAVORS:

For the Party Hats, I would have probably bought some cheap pirate hats at the Dollar Tree and added a feather (as pictured). There are also hats for sale already made at CarnivalSource.com (pictured) or... you can go a step more and add cat ears like this girl did (pictured).

The Goodie Bags had lots of little things in it. I made a coloring book, added ferrero rochers as "golden eggs" and a few kiwi jelly bellies wrapped up as "magic beans".

THE FOOD:

What we actually did was go out to lunch and then a movie. But here are some food thoughts...


Mexican Food

Leche/Milk in a jug or shot glasses. This is in the film a few times.

However, I would maybe have this kind of decoration... a green straw with a cloud on it so it looks like a beanstalk.

Decorate

Or how about a gold colored punch or Sparkling Cider with Vanilla Ice Cream Clouds decorated like this?

Original Recipe

How about some Humpty Dumpty Deviled Egg Sandwiches and even green licorice Bean Stalks!

Piggy Bank Parties has some good ideas

THE CAKE:

Because we were at a restaurant, we got a piece of complimentary cake! However, I did make a cupcake pics for the cake.

Print Cupcake Pics here

GAMES:

Upon arrival you can have the kids make cat masks (Print Template here) or Face Painting.

My original thought was to do a relay race since its for an 8 year old's birthday party. As they do each challenge they would get a coin and the first to get all their coins wins.

1. Egg Race: Balancing eggs across the finish line with Golden Eggs.

2. A "Big Boot Race": Using big boots instead of flippers to race in.

3. "Hatch a Golden Egg": Popping a gold balloon with a coin in it.

4. The Skilled Swordsman: Pick up a pool ring with a sword and put it on the neck of a rubber ducky. Maybe the coin could be taped to the bottom of the ducky.

Take all your coins to the collector and the winning team gets a prize. But I tend to give all the kids a prize... just so no one feels left out.

Also, a classic game of pin the tail on the donkey... very fitting for the theme.