CELEBRATE: 1st Seusstastical Birthday!

Since this is my first "FRESH FEATURE" blog post, I thought it was important to show the first party I ever styled. Last year was my son, Allen's 1st birthday. Because he already had so many toys and clothes, I came up with the idea to have a book party. When guests asked what they should bring, I said books or games to build Allen's home library. The book theme was focused around one of my favorite authors from my childhood, DR. SEUSS!

INSPIRATION: Ideas for the Seusstastical celebration were inspired by a website called Seussville and Dr. Seuss books. Once I started collecting Seuss items I found everywhere, the ideas just kept going and going...Oh, the places my ideas will go! 

DECOR: Coordinating plates, cups, napkins, favors, pencils, balloons, t-shirt, bib and recycled tote bags were ordered from Seussland. Red plastic tablecloths were cut into thick strips and placed over white tablecloths to mimic the stripes on Cat's hat. Two tiny ribbons were tied in a knot around plastic spoons and forks. Bright, multi-colored clusters of balloons were throughout the entire party.

CENTERPIECES: For the main centerpieces I recycled clay cardboard boxes and decorated them like birthday presents with bows, ribbon and wrapping paper. Inside I placed plush Dr. Seuss characters and coordinating books that I collected from second-hand sources that were originally from the Kohls Cares for Kids collection. The colorful truffula trees (pin wheels), polka dot ribbon, tissue paper and letter confetti were all found at Hobby Lobby.

PRINTABLE DESIGNS: Other printed party designs were scattered throughout the party, such as bookmarks, noise makers, buttons, circle labels and a 1st birthday logo.

INVITATIONS: The mini book party invitations were each custom made by me for my personal use ONLY. Some of the wording and illustrations were borrowed from various Dr. Seuss books - "The Cat in the Hat", "Horton Hears a Who!", "Fox in Socks", "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish", "The Lorax" and my personal favorite "Green Eggs and Ham". ATTENTION: I AM NOT ABLE TO EMAIL OR PROVIDE THE TEXT FROM THE INVITATION SEEN IN THIS POST. SORRY.

CAKE: Wow...fondant is a challenge the first time you use it! I probably should have done a more simple cake but after watching a show called "The Cake Boss", I felt ambitious and wanted my only child's first cake to be amazing. Originally I was going to make a multi-tiered tilted cake...good thing I came to my senses! With the help of my mom, we used fondant and crispy treats to mold objects - cat hat, boat, teacup, goldfish, ball, book and kite seen inside "The Cat in the Hat" story. 

FOOD & DESSERTS: Circle tag labels were designed for each item of food and enhanced with polka ribbon. Dr. Seuss menu included: Green Deviled Eggs, Sam I Am Ham Sandwiches, Sneetches Treats, Cat Hat JELLO, If I Ran the Circus Whale Crackers, Oh the Places You'll Go Lollipops, One Fish Two Fish Gummy Fish, Thing 1 & Thing 2 M&M's, Sneetches Starbursts, Lorax Pixy Stix and Hop on Pop Ring Pops. Placemats were cut-out into circles from solid colored scrapbook paper.

ACTIVITIES: When the kids weren't eating or at the playground, Dr. Seuss activities and supplies were available. Puzzles, books, notebooks, educational flash cards, pencils and crayons. "Oh the fun we'll have!" party activity guides were pdf's found online at Target promoting Read Across America. Copies for each child were printed and tied with ribbon.

PARTY FAVORS: The table decor performed double duty and were turned into party favors as each guest exited the party. Inside each recycled tote bag included a used Dr. Seuss book, handmade bookmark, pin wheel, bouncy ball, soft stretchy ball and candy.

Would you, could you, come to play? Afterwards, the BIRTHDAY BOY finally got to play on the slide at the park! His second birthday party theme is currently in progress and it's printable party designs will be available in June!