As moms we want our child’s first birthday party to be a momentous event! The options are endless for choosing an appropriate theme that illustrates your little one’s favorite toy, show, color, holiday or unique personality. My cousin-in-law went through countless options before finally landing on the perfect way to incorporate a little preppy, some traditional blue and green, argyles, plaids, moustaches and bowties. With a little help from Pinterest and friends and family she was able to pull it together just in time for the Baby Alec’s Little Man First Birthday Party. Whether you are on a budget or not the little details do go far. Here’s how she did it all!

Excuse me I Moutache you a question? When guests arrived she mocked up a photo booth feel with a frame from Ikea. They had the choice of wearing a bowtie or moustache in their pic. Make sure to have a designated friend or photographer. As the hostess, you’ll have plenty of other responsibilities during the party. The best part is that these pictures served as adorable little thank you cards.

Having a food table fit for a king, or little man, serves as the main focal point for the whole party. We used vintage suitcases to stack mini strawberry shortcakes topped an argyle smash cake for the main of the hour. Mini bow tie pasta salads were a great compliment to hand wrapped pulled pork sandwiches. For dessert, everyone enjoyed lemon cake-centered and vanilla cake pops adorned with blue & green bowties and coordinating sprinkles.

The party was held at a darling park shelter with a playground right outside incase of restless children. Timing for first birthday parties are very important. If the large majority of guests are bringing their children think about nap times. Keeping the party short and sweet makes for a more enjoyable time for you and your guests. If you’re are going to be crunched for time skip gift opening. This Lil Man Party had more than 60 guests. Think about how long it would take to help a one year old get through all his presents. Stick to a few of the main ones from grandparents and great grandparents.

Signage: For added effect you can create a few signs that help carry your theme all the way through.

Gift bags consisted of sweet little token reminders of the party’s theme in natural brown bags secured with a paper necktie.

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

baby boy first birthday | little man party is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Yellow is the color of happiness, friendship and sunshine. What a better way to celebrate a summer milestone than with a yellow party? Whether you are in charge of planning a birthday party, bridal or baby shower having a simple overarching theme gives you the flexibility to incorporate so many different elements. Many items you may already have in your possession leaving your budget more room to include special touches like designer cupcakes, a banner from Etsy or custom stationary.

Here’s a list of  Yellow things to pull inspiration from or add into your next Yellow Party:

Tulips

Lemonade

Lemons

Sun

Pineapple

Mango

Lemon syrups

Sunflowers

Bananas

Daffodils

Deviled Eggs

Roses

Lights

Poms

Bumble Bees

Balloons

Ribbon

Custard

Cabs

Butter

Corn

Chicks

Ducks

Squash

Butterflies

Pencils

School Bus

Photo credit:

napkin bows

tablescape

sweet love chevron table

yellow party bags

yellow pirate birthday party

yellow decor

balloons

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

50 shades of yellow | party is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

These rainbow Cinco de Mayo piñata cookies are too stinkin’ cute! SheKnows.com has a thorough how-to article and video {you can watch it in the top right of this page} to guide you in making these festive treats. I found them too late for our Cinco do Mayo festivities, but I have to admit, I am ready to use these fun-filled cookies the next chance I get. I’m thinking rainbow balloons full of yummy surprises…

What shape/style would you use to take this concept to the next level? Have you done anything like this before? We’d love to hear your ideas and see your pics, so leave a comment below and send any images to shannon@happyourmom.com….

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

rainbow cinco de mayo piñata cookies is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. May 5th commemorates their cause for freedom and democracy during the American Civil War. A common misconception is that this day is Mexico’s Independence Day, for which it is not. Celebrations in Puebla, where the legendary battle took place, are a monumental affair compared to all others in Mexico. The event is commemorated with parades and a mock-battle.

As you celebrate this holiday with tequila, brightly colored banners, tortillas, guacamole, pinatas, amazing food and dance worthy music think about what it really means. As Americans we love sharing in all the fun and  festivities of our southern neighbors. Who doesn’t love another reason to party in style?

Decor

Flag Banner

Dessert Table

Pinata Cookies

Crepe Paper Tent

Mini Pinatas

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

celebrating cinco de mayo {party time} is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

At our recent celebration for my son’s birthday my girlfriend brought an amazing way of cutting a cake to my attention. We had the party at a sports complex with 10 little kids and the place was about to get crazy. I pull out my knife, without a spatula, and try to cut appropriate size pieces for all the babes. Then my BFF pulls the knife out of my hand and goes to town cutting the perfect shapes for everyone. Here’s how:

Start by using a long knife to cut a smaller circle within the larger one. Next begin cutting the outer ring into wedges, then cut the remaining, smaller cake as you normally would, like a pizza. Give the outer wedges to the kids, and reserve the more lightly iced interior pieces for the adults.

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

how to cut round cakes for kids is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Happy Easter to all of our Happy Hour Moms! With beautiful pastels paired with vibrant colors, Easter table-settings are always full of inspiration. Here are some fabulous ideas found across the web to help you get creative for your Easter celebrations. I am loving the gorgeous Martha Stewart tree and details seen above, and couldn’t pass up on the fresh-cut flower centerpieces and creative ideas found below.

{details and directions on FamilyCircle.com}

Brighten your table with vibrant tulips and colorful flowers. {details on My Room Design}

I am loving this intimate setting for an Easter breakfast, ideally located in a quaint corner of your back yard. While the table is obviously an eye-catcher, take a closer look at those place settings! I have to use those herb grass trays for my next outdoor brunch! {details available on My Room Design}

 May all of you enjoy a blessed day with your families this Easter : ) But before you leave, please tell us…How will you be decorating your tables this year?

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

easter table settings and decor is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

UPDATED additions to our upcoming basketball/NBA Minnesota Timberwolves party. My afternoon was occupied by filling balloons with treats and trinkets for Baby D’s 4th bday next weekend. My biceps are killing me from stretching the tops of the balloons and using my 3-year olds help to fill them. (not recommended, the slower they are the more your arms burn) In the end I wish I had found the clear balloons I was after but am still excited for the other kids to get to the prizes inside- Silly Bands, basketball tattoos, Smarties, fruity Tootsie Rolls, and confetti. On the side they will receive these cute sport water bottles with their favorite ball, either basketball, soccer, baseball or football.

Check out our previous post for other ideas for a boys basketball party.

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

update | basketball party for boys is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Calling all moms and tots in the areas near Minneapolis, South Barrington and Northbrook, Illinois. Are you looking for a fun place to throw your next kids birthday party? Forget about Chuck E. Cheese’s this year and try a place with great food, an amazing accommodations and fun games. Pinstripes features exceptional Italian/American food and wine; 18 bowling lanes and indoor/outdoor bocce courts; a beautiful outdoor patio and fireplace; banquet space that can accommodate parties of 20-600 (weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, anniversaries and more! Pinstripes kids parties start at $20/child and include food, 2 hours of bowling or bocce, socks, shoes and a special hat for the birthday child.

If it’s not birthday season in your family then check out the 3 locations Monday-Friday 10am-noon for a fun mom and tot outing. All kids are $5 and moms bowl free. (limit for kids per adult)

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

pinstripes kids’ parties for mom & tots is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

My ­­­little baby boy is turning four at the end of this month! I can’t believe how fast time passes us by. The fun days, and even the sassy days make my life better just seeing his little personality grow. As I’ve always said there are so many options for girls. Whether it’s clothes, party ideas, toys there are always a plethora of inspiration for females. I try my best to make my son’s style unique, modern and fun. His first birthday party was a Nautical theme with sailboats, pennants and lots of navy blue while we were living in Hungary. For his second birthday we were back in the states and wanted to take full advantage of being close to our friends and family. We celebrated with an Around the World Party that gave everyone a glimpse into our favorite parts of all the different countries that we lived in over the years. When my son turned three he was in love with golf. We weren’t sure if he had spent too much time watching the Golf Channel with my husband or it was the beginning of his all-encompassing sports obsession. With found a retro little man golf outfit, purchased his first set of clubs and celebrated  with family.

Four is proving to be somewhat of a challenge. He’s at that age where he wants friends from his school to come. The problem with pre-schoolers is that we don’t have that much interaction with other parents so it seems odd to invite little kids without knowing their parents. Doesn’t the rule go, “you can invite the number of kids that reflects the child’s age.” Regardless this is what we will follow this year. This year it’s basketball he loves. We found a sports facility that has a huge trampoline, bumper cars, mini golf, video games and more to fulfill is all star birthday party request. Being that his father was a professional basketball player and his room is decked out in basketball memorabilia I have a feeling this might be a theme used a few times throughout his childhood. Therefore, we have landed on Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m excited to see it all come together. Check out my mood board for inspiration. What other unique birthday party ideas do you like for boys?

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

basketball party for boys is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Today was I long day, and I was in desperate need of a mommy happy hour. So I took a 15 minute break to visit some of my favorite inspiring blogs for a little dose of fun. First stop, the Hostess Blog, where I can always count on amazing party inspiration. The first post to pop up featured an adorable gender-reveal baby shower with some fantastic ideas. The DIY Surprise Lanterns immediately caught my eye. While they are the perfect touch for a baby shower gender reveal, they can be used for a variety of things. I for one will be using these for my New Years Party 2013, and they’d be great for a surprise party or any celebratory event really. Maybe a row of gorgeous white lanterns at an outdoor wedding, lining the aisle or walkway where the bride and groom will depart–with delicate white and pink rose petals inside? The possibilities are endless! I shared a couple of the images from Oh Happy Day to give you a taste of just how incredible these lanterns are, but you will have to head over to view the full diy confetti lantern tutorial.

How will you be using your DIY Surprise Lanterns? Please send us pictures, we’d love to share them!

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

diy confetti lantern, perfect for gender reveal baby shower is a post from: Happy Hour Mom