Cupcakes and Polka Dots 2nd Birthday Party

{Invitations}
I designed the custom invitation around the dress design. I created a swirly cupcake design similar to the one on her dress. Placing the cupcake in the center of the invitation design, I then added the polka dots and a picture of Julianne. I used purple cardstock as a backing to the invitation to simply give it more weight and depth.

{Decorations}
After designing the invitations everything else fell in to place. I incorporated the swirly cupcake design and polka dots through all of my party printables. I decided the backdrop for the dessert table had to have polka dots. I remember seeing polka dots sewn on string, but my sewing skills are not great. I knew I had to find something that did not require sewing. Using fishing wire, cardstock, glue, and circle punches in two sizes I was able to create the polka dot backdrop for the dessert table.

I used a plain white tablecloth for the dessert table and placed a lavender piece of cloth to the top of the table. I added a long string of polka dots to the front of the table and a few balloons on the sides.

Folded and flat food labels were used to help guests identify the food and drinks available. I used mason jars that I already owned to serve the drinks in and added purple polka dot straws with straw flags to dress them up.

{Food & Desserts}
I knew from the start that our party food would include something warm since the party was in the middle of January. I finally decided on a menu of hearty beef chili, white bean chicken chili, chili toppings, cornbread muffins, macaroni and cheese, veggie tray, and strawberries. Perfect for a chilly wintery day! Drinks served included water, sweet tea, coke, and sprite.

What else do you have at a cupcake party but cupcakes! The dessert table held 3 dozen chocolate, strawberry, and yellow cupcakes with buttercream icing. I decided to create a simple cake to place in the center of the table as well. The cake was a layer of strawberry and chocolate with buttercream icing. I topped the cake off with a 4″ party circle on a long lollipop stick and tied a ribbon on the stick.

I thought it would be perfect to have a Decorate Your Own Cupcake bar at the party! Guests were welcome to choose from mini M&Ms, mini Reese’s Pieces, mini chocolate chips, coconut, sprinkles, and crushed mint Oreos. Many guests went back for seconds!

{Activity}
I created a cupcake and polka dot coloring page for our younger guests to color. Even some of our older guests joined in the fun!

{Favors}
Julianne and I baked homemade sugar cookies shaped like cupcakes to send home with the guests. I placed two cookies in each bag and attached with baker’s twine and a 2.5” favor tag. While doing some last minute shopping the day before, I came across some clearance toys and picked up three for our tiny guests in lieu of cookies.