As a mom of two girls, I've planned my fair share of parties but when it comes to perfecting the art of the party - you can count on Kelsey Klos, our guest blog host today. She's breaking down all the details on her Rainbow Christmas Party, including pieces from some of my absolute favorite small shops! Enjoy!
It's all in the Details
Throwing an amazing Party to remember
Throwing my daughters parties has become my FAVORITE thing to do! I've done a little bit of everything from 'Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ' on the beach to 'The Land of Sweets' Nutcracker ballerina Party. This past Saturday I threw my four year old a Rainbow Christmas Birthday, jammed packed with gingerbread house decorating and all the rainbow details. I wanted to share my favorite party tips I have learned over the years and some of my favorite go to shops for the decor!
Pick a Theme & have a Vision
My daughter wanted rainbows so it was a pretty easy theme to have. I wanted to add a Christmas touch being a December birthday and from there the idea was born. I immediately scour Pinterest and Instagram saving ideas and creating mood boards to nail down specific colors, ideas and elements I want to incorporate. Then I can start shopping! I plan WAY ahead, picking things up over a couple of months, so that I don't have to get everything all at once. Having a little mood board makes shopping so much easier, I do a lot of custom work with small shops and if I have something to send to them, they can get inside my head a little bit.
Stay in Season & Use what you have
You do not need to buy brand new decorations or get things that are not practical for every party. I like to mix in what I have or buy things I know I will use! For example, I bought colorful rainbow wrapping paper to use as a backdrop for the cake table. This will be what I wrap presents with this Christmas. I also used this opportunity to start my bottle brush tree collection, something I will get out year after year. I loved incorporating some of my Christmas things like garlands and Santa mugs, and boy was I happy that I own 10 of the same style bowl. I also love incorporating a seasonal activity! Last year we made snow globes and this year we decorated gingerbread houses, the perfect way to get the kids in the spirit!
Prep in advance & Take Photos
The last few parties I have thrown have been at home and it has been SO much easier and less stressful! I start the party prep a week in advance, setting things up and moving them around until it's perfect! Of course, being a blogger capturing the moment is on the top of my list! If you have it in your budget to hire a photographer, DO IT. The parties when I am not worried about capturing every detail have been so much more fun and relaxing for me, and those keepsakes last forever. For this party I shot everything myself. I made sure to get the birthday girl ready in advance, and everything set up so when the guests arrived they could dive into the fun and I wasn't distracted!
Follow through with the theme
DETAIL, DETAIL, DETAIL. This will set your party off, think about everything you are doing and make sure it relates to the theme and the color scheme. If there was an opportunity to create a rainbow, I did it! Even the cheese board I made for the adults was in rainbow order and it was a HUGE hit!
Shop Small
Shopping small is one of my favorite things to do, but when it comes to throwing a party I love it even more. Small shop owners typically want to work with you and are more likely to create something custom that will match your vision perfectly. PLUS, supporting a small business in this day and age is so important, and when you can show them a finished party, they are already invested, and enjoy the finished product just as much as you! For this party I worked with so many shops to create the perfect look, and I really think these elements made the party special.
Custom Name Tags by Chalk Designs By Me
Custom Flat ware by BKLYN Party
Curated party supplies from Ellie & Piper Co and Oh Happy Day Party Shop
Custom Cake Topper by Fancy Free Finery
Cake by Local Shop Suga Mama's Bakery
Custom necklace favors by Little Blue Olive
Nutcracker ornaments by Kailo Chic from Love of Character
Custom Garlands by Pearl & Jane
Balloons & Star garland by Studio Pep
This is where I was able to incorporate Ollie Jay, I loved having a sweet new dress for my middle daughter. The birthday girl got so much attention, it was perfect to surprise her with a new outfit too! If you have multiples, you know how important this is!
