EntertainingWinter Onederland Birthday Party Decor February 2, 2016I’m so excited to share all the details behind our Winter Onederland Birthday Party decor! I have a tendency to overdo things. My vision is always bigger than life and sometimes it’s either impossible or super expensive to put together. I had so many amazing ideas for her party, but really had to restrain myself in some ways. With the other renovation projects we’re tackling right now, there wasn’t a ton of time to prep for the party and I was adamant not to spend $500 on first birthday party decor. Man, the snow machine and white flowing curtains everywhere had to go. You think I’m kidding! Like I said, I overdo. I usually decorate every single nook and cranny of a space. No stone is left unturned. Instead, I chose several key areas to focus on that would make a pretty statement. I think that’s the key to making a beautiful party that doesn’t cost a lot of money and time. One thing that really helped us cut cost in a few areas was that we found so much snowflake stuff clearanced right after Christmas! We didn’t do a ton outside, but I did want some theme elements to greet guests as they arrived. We had bulb lights hanging from the eaves, our love seat filled with cozy throws and pillows, and lanterns lining the stairs. We had a simple, snowy, white berry wreath on the door. The lanterns were such a simple touch, but lit candles just says magic to me! Here’s a shot in daylight, so that you can see it a little more clearly. We used this fake snow around the lanterns on the stairs. The snow was the only thing we had to buy for out here and it was $8.75/a bag. Rosie’s Snowy Picture I knew I wanted to do something on the entry table. It’s the first and last thing guests see as they come and go. The party ended up being the perfect timing because Rosie’s first big snow was the weekend before! I took a sweet little photo of her sitting in the snow and made it black and white in Photoshop. Then, I turned to my trusty printing source: Staples Engineer Prints. They are $3.99 for a 3×4′ print. It has to be black and white and you can get it smaller and trim the white edges like I did with this one. I mounted her photo onto a piece of foam core that was the same size using double-sided tape. Then we leaned it up and had a sweet blown-up, snowy picture of her for $6! The Favors I wanted some really simple favors that guests could grab and take with them as they left. We found these “snow” pretzels in tins at Neiman Marcus. They had them for Christmas and they were clearanced. We bought five tins and filled simple little clear bags with several each and then tied with silver ribbon. This cased opening right in the entrance was the perfect place make a pretty statement. I pictured layers here, so I started with one of my DIY Tassel Garlands. I came up with it at Christmas when I wanted a tassel garland on our tree. It’s the simplest tutorial and I’m sure there’s some other good ones out there, but I’l share it later this week for those who want it. I used strips of white fabric, two shades of cream, and lace in each tassel for dimension. Then, I hung these bulb lights on top. We bought these bulb lights that had white (instead of green) cords so that they would completely blend in. The dining area is somewhere I’d planned to do so much more. I’d planned a tablecloth and a much bigger centerpiece. But we had 45 people in our house and served dinner! Obviously 45 people can’t fit around this table, but we knew we needed to maximize seats and too much fuss on the table would get in the way of that. So practicality won out. I stuck with a simple centerpiece of white carnations. I love how fluffy they are – they fit the theme perfectly to me. The gray plaid pillows in the end chairs are my moms and I love how they subtly tie in the theme. I wanted a backdrop for this area that fit the party theme. I found a picture of snowy woods and had it blown up at Staples for $3.99. We used silver washi tape to attach it to the wall. And then, a string of white twinkle lights makes it extra cozy. This is probably my favorite part of the party and it’s really the main focal point. I found this “Baby it’s Cold Outside” free printable. Then, you guessed it. I blew it up at Staples for $3.99 and washi taped it to the wall. I’d initially planned to use a lot more paper snowflakes, but these packed such a big punch. The secretary at my sister’s school made them for the office at Christmas and was going to throw them away! They were so sweet to give them all to us, which saved me a lot of time making them. You can make your own, though, using this tutorial. I liked the interest of just having them go up one side and then balanced the other side with a big, wild vase of baby’s breath. I love this delicate, little flower! It looks so much like snow to me. We used these birch napkins and gray and white polka dot plates for dessert. The tablecloth is my moms and I love the intricate detailing of it! It goes all the way to the floor, which I love the look of. Rosie’s highchair decorations were simple, but I love them. We got a big, silver 1 balloon from Party City to hang behind it. Then, I made a quick little garland with strips of the same fabric as the tassel garland. In the center, I taped on these silver letters from a craft store that spell her name. Oh and I always get asked, the highchair itself is from IKEA! We love it. No first birthday is complete without the monthly pictures! I absolutely loved seeing this all in a row. It’s crazy to see the changes in this way. To create this, we hung two sets of clear command strips on top of each other. Then, we tied some yarn to drape in between each one. I used scotch tape on the back of the pictures to attach them to the garland. Then, I tied on the same strips of fabric that I used in the garland. The light-up snowflake was from Target at Christmas. I got it on a great clearance after the season! Thanks for checking out Rosie’s party decor! I’m leaving most of this up until spring, I love it so much.
Gina says February 2, 2016 at 10:42 am You did a great job! I love it all. The picture of Rosie in the snow is perfect. Reply
Meg says February 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm Lovely, lovely, lovely! Way to go:) The first birthday party is so very magical and you nailed it. Rosie is a lucky gal. Hugs! Reply
Whitney Shortt says February 2, 2016 at 2:04 pm Love all the decor, especially the engineered prints! Reply
Baileywife @ IrishmanAcres says February 2, 2016 at 2:22 pm Love her sweet party, but especially the poster prints! You are a genius! I’m totally copying you for my daughter’s grad party this spring. (*cue big Mama tears!) ~Kim Reply
Debra says February 2, 2016 at 2:43 pm What fabulous decor! You’ve inspired me to think about the decor for my “baby’s” high school graduation this year! Thank you! Reply
Angie Burke says February 3, 2016 at 12:12 am So sweet!! Loved reading the details of the party but also enjoyed all the ideas you packed in too. Especially the engineer prints. I need to try that! Reply
Lindsay says February 3, 2016 at 10:52 am So pretty! Makes we wish we had a winter birthday to celebrate. I’m new follower and I love everything I see! Reply
Gena says February 3, 2016 at 1:10 pm I just loved all the ideas of a Onederland. Everything was fresh like snow and original!! Reply
Elise says February 3, 2016 at 4:57 pm Okay…the Staples info…AMAZING! Love the way you budgeted for a beautiful yet cost-friendly party. xx Reply