- Child's Name: Mavrick
- Child's Age: 12 months
- Location: Montreal
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Description:
As a designer, I wanted my son's first birthday to be a memorable one. Being on a budget, I took out my crafting & designer skills and DIYed everything from the decorations, to the food and desserts.
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Design Inspiration:
Ever since he’s been a baby, I always said Mavrick looks like one of those vintage babies… so the idea to have a vintage newspaper boy themed birthday party seemed to be the perfect match.
I asked my father to hand over months of newspapers (once he was done reading them, of course) and I used them throughout the event. I designed a vintage style newspaper invitation that I sent to family and friends just to give them a feel of what was to come. (ha, the surprise that was awaiting them)
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Project Details:
For the decorations I purchased Accordian Blue Paper Lanterns, crepe paper streamers and I DIY newspaper streamers to create the backdrop for the table. I also found on etsy some newsprint fabric that I used as table runners. I had some left over white 17″ balloons that I hung from our maple tree and purchased 36″ balloons and tied them around our pool. I used newsprint to DIY a “Mavrick” Banner I tied in the front of the table.
To go with the color theme of gray,white, black and blue, I opted to make a blue punch (which was really good, refreshing and easy to make (see bottom of post for recipe) I reused some baby food containers to serve as glasses. I purchased some striped paper straws from Rock Paper Scissors (for a really good price) and wrapped the glasses with some newsprint fabric
Seeing the theme was vintage related, I wanted the menu to reflect food from that time as well. I mean why not go all that way? So I decided to make mini burgers, mini hot dogs, fries with vintage containers, mac & cheese, grill cheese and smoke meat. All homemade. I decided to put the crudités in vases to make it more interesting, and I made salad on a stick (tomato, cucumber, cheese and fresh basil)As for the desserts I made, I also wanted to make some sweets they had back in the days so mini chocolate chip cookies, rice krispies squares, chocolate dipped marshmallows were a must and I made cake balls, cupcakes, cake and mini fruit skewers. I even had bazooka gum, blue rock candy swizzle sticks and homemade popsicles.For the cake, I decided to make it two-toned to mimic the colors of the newspaper. You don’t see it that clearly but there were a beige and two grayish layers. I decided to make dots all over the cake just for the fun of it. I DIYed a streamer cake topper with ribbon and fabric to really tie in the background decor and the cake.
What would be a birthday boy without a birthday hat? I DIYed a newspaper hat with a big fat “1″ on it. He didn’t really love wearing it, but the cake distracted him so we were able to capture a few shots. Seeing I wanted Mavrick to really indulge in his birthday cake, I made a mini vanilla cake him with a little less sugar. Let me tell you he loved it, and of course there was cake all over the place.The party was a huge success and everyone enjoyed the food and all the little details of the event. I want to say a huge thank you to my family and friends (you know who you are) for helping me out to make Mavi’s birthday a success. A shout out to my talented photographer Christina for capturing all these great memories. I have to admit, I’m looking forward to next year :] -
Favorite Items:
Resources
- 17″ & 36″ Balloons: 17″ = 14$ for 72, 36″ = 10$ for 6 // Bargain Balloons
- Newspaper Print Fabric : 12$ / yard // Etsy Seller Cottonholic
- Drink Dispenser : 19$ // Costco
- Paper Straws : $5 for 144 // Rock Paper Scissors, Wiscasset, Maine 207-882-9930
- Blue Paper Lanterns : $8.99 // Martha Stewart Celebrate
- Cupcake Stand (DIYed with newpaper trim): $10 // Martha Stewart
- Coloured Streamers : $4 // Local Dollar Store
- Bazooka Gum & Sugar Swivel Sticks // Bulk Barn
- Vintage Milk Bottles // Already Owned (purchased at thrift shops)
- Two Sided Standing Frame : $0.99 // Ikea
- Blue Milk Basket // Already Owned (purchased at Home Sense)
- Vintage Straw Dispenser // Already Owned (purchased on Amazon)
- Paper containers & checkered wax paper // Gift (purchased at Abc Emballuxe)
Images courtesy of : Christina Esteban Photography
Wow this is amazing! I LOVE the shade of blue you used. Great job!
Nancy(Quote) (Reply)
Nancy,
Thank you Nancy! :)
Kelly | Blushink(Quote) (Reply)
I really really love the vintage newspaper theme. I think you’re the first. Or at least I haven’t seen any other party with this theme before. So I think it’s really unique. But I have a feeling adults appreciate this theme more than the toddlers.
Tasha Cune(Quote) (Reply)
Amazing! Thanks so much for including all that information. It’s so helpful. What a fantastic birthday party for Mavrick – so cute!
India(Quote) (Reply)
Tasha Cune,
THANK YOU! I completely agree with you Tasha, but at 1 no matter what theme you opt for your toddlers won’t remember. ;) I just wanted to stay away from the classic boy themes.
Kelly | Blushink(Quote) (Reply)
OMg…! thats the theme i wanted for my boy last year. Aside from the invitations I didnt have anything…and just did’nt know how to execute it. Very Well Done…..!
Alma(Quote) (Reply)
Alma,
Thank you so much Alma!
Kelly | Blushink(Quote) (Reply)