Monday, January 30, 2012

Hello Kitty Birthday Party (Party at Home)

I had so much fun sharing Natalie's Tinkerbell Ballet Birthday Party with you all that I decided to show you Michaela Byrd's Hello Kitty party that we threw for her 4th birthday two Saturdays ago. As much as I love Pinning photos of perfectly styled celebrations, we go for the budget route. If you are okay with simple party ideas that won't break the bank, then this post is for you!


Decorations, Food, and Activities:
I bought most of the decorations at The Party Store. To be completely and utterly honest with you, by January, I am usually a little worn out from the holiday hustle and bustle. Crafting mounds of matching party decorations that may or may not ever be used again didn't sound appealing to me, particularly as I was coming down with some sort of virus/sinus gunk/nastiness. So I opted for buying some adorable coordinating decorations and crafting a few of my own:























Because we hosted a morning party, food for the girls included homemade cupcakes with fun flower sprinkles (they coordinated with the party colors) ice cream, and juiceboxes, which I stored in a pink tub from Target's Dollar Spot. I stuck a tutu under the cupcake stand. I did make the cupcake toppers, and I'll share the tutorial later this week.


Goodie bags were small gift bags from the Dollar Spot filled with Hello Kitty crayons, pink and silver wrapped Dove chocolates, Hello Kitty stickers, and a Hello Kitty temporary tattoo. The other pink tub held Hello Kitty coloring books:

The dining room was turned into a little coloring station to keep the girls occupied while we waited for all the guests to arrive. I pulled a free Hello Kitty image from online and printed my own coloring pages through MS Publisher, adding a little "Thanks for coming to Michaela's party!" message at the top.

I made the tissue paper flower pom poms you see by following a Martha Stewart tutorial. The girls loved them!


We started the party with a game of "Pin the Bow on Hello Kitty" followed by "Quick Kitty," which was my own version of "Hot Potato." 

























Each girl got to choose a Hello Kitty temporary tattoo when she was out of the Quick Kitty games. They love being "inked."























And I've never seen a kid freak out over a candle like this either. It was all I could do to get Michaela Byrd to blow out her candle, but she did enjoy the cupcake.


After cake and presents, we just let the girls play for awhile. I could have planned more games, but really most kids just want to play! We dug out some Barbies, Polly Pockets, and the dollhouses, and the girls played so nicely before it was time to go home.
























The party was short, only an hour and a half: I've learned to tailor things to the kids. Two hours or more can drag on for little guests when you host at home, and we wanted to end things on a happy note. We keep the guest list small because it just makes everything easier when they start playing!

As I grow as a mother, I'm learning more and more that what really counts is that I make birthdays a special time for my girls. Putting parties together with the motives of trying to impress other moms or blog readers, or even just to "pack 'em in," is pointless and silly. Obviously, if our budget allowed for it, I might do more with decorations, food, or favors because I enjoy doing that sort of stuff. But more than anything, I want them to know how much I love them.

Michaela Byrd made my heart skip a beat when she came downstairs the morning of her party, saw the decorations and the cupcakes for the first time, and exclaimed, "Holy 'mackwal!'" 

It not be a "holy mackerel" moment for you, reader, but I'd say my work is done when I see the delight on my four year old's face! Nothing fills your heart with joy more than knowing that you've pleased a loved one.

What was your favorite birthday party growing up?

Linking to Today's Creative BlogHome Stories A to ZPositively SplendidTatertots and Jello

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23 comments:

  1. What an adorable party! "Holy mackwal" is right! I love what you did with the streamers, too! You are a sweet mama!

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  2. Amanda, anybody who would sit around criticizing or judging your parties you throw for your girls needs to get a life! I have seen the parties from last year and this year and they are ALWAYS cute and very creative! You should give yourself some more credit. LOVED the pom poms.

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  3. That sounds like such a fun party! I've learned that the kids usually don't even notice the things that you spend the most time working on...they just want to play and have a good time! I love the pom pom flowers! I've been wanting to make some forever, but I haven't really had a reason too yet:)

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  4. Oh my gosh, what a fantastic party! So cute!

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  5. Everything looks awesome - love it!

    I have to share - my son actually dove under the table when people started singing Happy Birthday, and we had to get the cake down there for him to blow out his candle! He said it was just "too loud" :D

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  6. I love it all. That picture of her with the candle is priceless! So adorable and funny.

    You did a great job, and I especially love the personalized coloring page thanking them for coming to the party. What a nice touch!

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  7. So cute!! Looks like the girls had a great time, which is the only thing that matters! : )

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  8. I love this party! We are also big fans of temporary tattoos at birthday parties, plus the party looks like it worked to get your playroom clean, it's so neat!

    As far as I can remember we didn't have "themes" growing up, just friends, cake, and maybe chalk to color on the sidewalk. I try to remember that each year when my own kids' parties come around.

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  9. Is that the same playroom that you were posting about cleaning a week or two ago? It's spotless. I need to hire you to come to my house and help me. I'm too slow!

    Looks like a great party! The girls are too cute!

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  10. The party came out adorable. The girls look like they had a great time. I love the pom poms. I also made these for my daughter's 2nd birthday http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/rileys-2nd-birthday.html
    but I managed to break two pairs of scissors in the process. LOL! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Hi. I landed here somehow through a blog hop. I like your site and am your newest follower. My daughter loves hello kitty so I am definitely getting some great ideas!

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  12. This looks like so much FUN, Amanda! I know your little girl will cherish it forever. My favorite childhood party had a Strawberry Shortcake theme (this was in like 1980!)...such a fun memory. Loving all the Hello Kitty stuff...it's super cute. I'm hosting a new party and would be thrilled if you would link up!
    http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/01/mop-it-up-mondays-party-1.html
    {HUGS},
    kristi

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  13. I'm a new follower! This birthday party is TOO cute!! Great job!

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  14. Do you think I could get away with having this adorable theme at MY next birthday? :)

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  15. Oh my goodness, my niece would love this. Great party set up! I heart Hello Kitty!

    I have a giveaway going on right now and a link party tomorrow. It'd be great if you have a chance to come by. http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/50-lowes-gift-card-for-you/
    karah @ thespacebetweenblog = your newest follower

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  16. I have a 14 yr. old that would LOVE this party!! Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  17. Oh, Amanda!
    The girls looked so happy and SO loved.
    What beautiful memories your girls will have of your cherishing them.
    HUGS!
    ~me

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  18. Just sat down at the computer to do a little work and saw this post. My heart is so heavy this week; it does me good to read about sweet Michaela Byrd's party. She looks so happy! You're a good mom to her.

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  19. Everything looked so wonderful! I can see why she was pleased! Gorgeous and creative!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  20. What a cute party, Amanda! They girls all looked like they really enjoyed themselves. And your girls are too cute! My daughter's birthday is coming up in a couple weeks and I'm already starting to plan the party. Although, I don't even have a theme picked. In years past I've done, butterflies, snowflakes and everything pink. This year I'm just not feeling one thing or another. Hmm...

    Anyway I saw you on someones new Linky followers list and came over to follow you and you don't have one yet. What's up with that? haha Get on it girl! =) You could stop by and follow me.Have a great weekend!

    ~ Catie

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  21. Looks like so much fun! I love Hello Kitty!

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  22. Everyrhing was so cute, Amanda. My daughter just had her birthday, too and it was down to Hello, Kitty and the Smurfs. She picked the Smurfs but I thought Kitty would have been fun, too. I agree about the big, over whelming parties. I have witnessed many a meltdown when parents try to over do it with little ones.

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  23. I just googled " Hello kitty party at home" and your blog came up-
    I LOVE!!! the party you planned and you are right- when it comes to pleasing the kids- all they want to do is play- keeping it short, sweet and simple keeps everyone sane and your pocket-book will thank you! Thank you for being an inspiration! My daughter is having a " pretend sleepover" themed hello kitty party- we're going to play dance central on the xbox kinect, eat, color and open presents and do sleepver party makeovers.. all in our P.j's - THe girls are all going home for the night( sleepovers not allowed yet) but my daughter came up with the idea and your blog just helped ease my anxiety!Thank you thank you thank you!
    wonderful job!

    Amber- A Mommy in Canada

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