I can’t believe it’s been six years since my daughter crashed into our lives five weeks early via an emergency c-section on my 27th birthday. Since the day she was born, she has been full of life with a mind of her own. This year she insisted on a Minnie Mouse Bowtique birthday party, and while I usually shy away from character themes, I just couldn’t refuse her request. And the best part about this theme is that Minnie Mouse is such a lovable character, so it would be just as sweet for a first birthday as it was for my big girl!
While I may not have had a say in the theme, pulling the party together was still up to me, and since I’m pregnant with baby number three, I opted to keep the party small with just six little guests. I also knew right off the bat that no store-bought character decor was in my plan! Instead I focused on the bows to bring this Bowtique to life. Pink bows, and black bows, and white bows, OH MY!
Throwing a smaller party in my home allowed me to create more of a minimalist design. Balloons and easy DIY tissue paper tassels added punches of color, and the sweets became the centerpiece of the party. I designed matching bow-themed printable decorations for a custom touch.
Each little guest got a Minnie Mouse ears headband to wear instead of a party hat.
Even custom fortune cookies are better with bows, and they served as both eye candy and party favors. The fortunes read, “Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me! xo, Annabelle.”
I decorated a small fondant cake with Minnie Mouse ears and a bow.
I used Oreo Minis and Wilton Polka Dot Bows to dress up simple cupcakes.
I added printable treat wrappers to simple white treat cups filled with scoops of vanilla ice cream and topped with more Oreo Minis and Smucker’s Magic Shell Chocolate Topping to create the perfect mouse-themed sundaes.
I folded napkins into bows and added craft paper circles to black paper plates and craft bags to create Minnie Mouse-themed place settings.
Annabelle’s Disney Land souvenir hat served as a perfect centerpiece.
Fun and games included Pin the Bow on Minnie, a bow coloring contest and of course a Minnie Mouse-inspired papier-mâché piñata!
And here is Annabelle on her big day in a sweet dress from Janie and Jack.
The party ended on a sweet note with cake and ice cream. Keeping it small and simple was much less stressful than my usual extravaganza, but it was just as fun and memorable! By focusing on bright, happy colors, adorable sweets and some simple DIY projects, you can throw the perfect party!
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