Benjamin's First Birthday

 

 

 

     Benjamin's big number ONE was only a few short months away and I had to begin planning! I absolutely love planning parties but it can be stressful and I wanted to enjoy every step of the way! So I sat down, took a breath, and wrote down each step I needed to take.

 

1. Pick a theme for the party

2. Write out the guest list

3. Order invitations- Three weeks before

4. Send out invitations- Two weeks before

5. Get all party décor- Online for specific themes & dollar store for solid colored items

6. Personalize ideas- photos, picture frames, signature boards etc.

7. Cake- smash cake, themed cake or a simple cake- order a week in advance

8. Outfit change, snacks, and their favorite toys- keep them feeling safe and not overwhelmed

 

Being that Benjamin was turning a year we didn't host any games but we did do goodie bags, a bubble blower and a signature board.

Here's a look at the party- step by step, decorations, cakes, designs & the amazing time we had!

 

 

Decorations

Photo Timeline
 

 

 

I strung 16 photos from the day he was born to the most recent photo I had. It went from one side of the restaurant to the other. I used twine and black and gold glittered close pins to hang up all the photos!

 

(close up shot)

 

 

 

 Banners

     This is the birthday banner I had custom made. I wanted something classy yet bold and one solid color. All the local party shops had all block letters and multiple metallic colors, So we had this made to match his party theme colors.

(made by- instagram: @thedesignerie)



 

 

 

 

Benjamin's custom made Minion banner, "Palaloolali" meaning happy birthday!  Made by- Www.dawnnicoledesign.com

 

 

Chalkboard print

 

     Customizable print to show all Benjamin's current stats! Such a fun way to remember exactly everything going on with him at this age! I bought a frame from Goodwill for three dollars and wa-la! Perfect decoration for the party and afterwards you can hang up and keep forever! 

 



Print made by- Www.dawnnicoledesign.com

 

 

 



Signature Photo Frame

 

     I have seen this done for baby showers and I thought why not do it for a first birthday! A way to remember everyone who was there, have all his birthday wishes in one spot and its something he will be able to read and appreciate years down the road! I bought this frame from Target for about twenty dollars. We simply took the glass off the front and put it on a table at the party. We will put a photo of Benjamin from his party in the middle! We wanted a photo of everyone that was at the party with Benjamin in the middle, but we couldn't get everyone together at once. But that would be a great photo too!

 

 

 



 

 Cakes

 

     We had a couple cakes at the party. The first cake was Benjamin's personal smash cake! It was vanilla cake, whipped cream frosting, whipped cream filling with strawberries and bananas. We originally had an all organic, natural sweetener cake- but that fell through last minute. So we got the closest thing we could. But you only turn one once, so sugar it was!

      I had looked into cake toppers and designs pretty thoroughly and fell in love with this design! We used gold and blue instead of yellow and blue to match our minion theme, and it came out beautiful!

 

Smash Cake 

 

(Custom cake topper made by: Instagram- @thedesignerie)

 

 

Minion cake 

 

 

 

      I absolutely love the little minions and could not pass up getting a minion cake made for his party! Luckily, a family friend makes these beauties and it came out PERFECT! 

 

     Also not photographed, We had a buffet style food table! We did barbeque chicken sliders on Hawaiian rolls. We bought the Jack Daniels pre made chicken and stuck it in a croc pot! set out the buns and everyone served themselves. We also did salsa, guacamole and spinach dip with tortilla chips set out. We had a veggie platter, cupcakes and a few other snacks! Made it easy to make sure everyone is fed, but I didn't have to tend to them. So I could focus on my little man all night!

 



 

     And we had a blast! About 50 friends and family came and Benjamin had so much fun. He was running around, being a total ham and soaking up all the lovin! Here are a few photos from the party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that's a wrap!