This weekend we are celebrating Henry’s third birthday party. Henry is what is commonly referred to as a Christmas Baby. At least, that’s what everybody says when they find out that he was born on December 23rd. This year, he is completely taken with the idea of Christmas and has been talking about it since at least October. We can’t pass a tree or an ornament without Henry stopping to gawk and admire. So I thought it was only appropriate that we dedicate his third birthday to the majesty of winter.
I’ve been collecting all sorts of inspirational images over at Pinterest for the party. We’re having the party at a community centre in the neighbourhood so we’ll see how much of a transformation I am able to achieve. I’m loving the idea of mixing lots of icy blues and silvers with some colourful confetti-like accents. I think I might be up very late on Friday night with sheets of tissue paper before me!
Creature Comforts, Oh Happy Day, Bonjour Celine, Confetti System
I have two activities planned for the party and I hope they are enough to keep mainly three and four year olds occupied. (I might be pressing my luck!) I thought I would make ahead a few dozen sugar cookies in the shape of stars and have the kids decorate them with icing and sprinkles. This might be a completely, sticky disaster but I think the little ones will enjoy it.
I’m also planning on giving all the kids homemade snow globes as their goodie or takeaway treat . I’ll make ahead the jars which requires using heavy duty epoxy glue to adhere the figurines to the lids and then let the kids fill their jars with glitter, water and glycerin.
Anthropologie , Martha Stewart
Food wise I’m keeping it simple. I’m going to make this delightful white sprinkle cake maybe in the shape of a start and provide some good cheese and bread for the adults.
I’m still contemplating whether or not to set up a little hot chocolate station for the little ones complete with marshmallows and candy canes for decoration. (Could be another gooey undertaking.)
Herz Allerliest, My Sweet Savannah
All of this might seem a little excessive for a child’s birthday party but I think homemade events like this mean a lot in a small person’s life. These are the things you remember when you’re growing up. Maybe all the small details are unnecessary (and yes, probably more for me than for him – I really do get a lot of joy out of this kind of thing) but I think a little celebration on a big day is never a bad thing. I’ll let you know how the actual party goes!
18 Comments
I would like to go to a party like that!! I think the hot chocolate station is a great idea. Especially if the hot chocolate is already in some kind of urn so you don’t have to make each one a la minute, you know? You could also pre-fill each cup with the right number of marshmallows so they don’t go overboard!!
@ LifeBegins – True, but I know the marshmallows are Henry’s favourite part…even at 3 I don’t think he would settle for a pre-determined amount of marshmallows!!
Happy early birthday Henry! These are wonderful ideas. Can’t wait to see how it works out. I do so love a good handmade or thoughtful kids birthday party. I did some fun but possibly unnecessary crafting for my own littles first, but I’ll remember it forever.
I also am happy that we’ve decided to forgo a real 2nd birthday party in exchange for a family visit to Vancouver and a visit for my son in a real live helicopter. I’ve had other mums confused when I explain no party this time but this time I don’t feel like we need a party every year.
This sounds lovely. I like the handmade details at a party even when it’s for the little ones. Cookie decorating and hot chocolate sound like fun. I’m starting to think about my soon to be three year old party in February….
Those snow globes are adorable. Hope Henry has an awesome time at his birthday party!!
Love it all!
Oh, can I come?? That sounds like a wonderful party. I think the treats and crafts you have planned are completely adorable.
Great images!
The cake and cookies look amazing, great finds!
The cookie decorating will be perfect. We did that for Tomas’ birthday at that age as well. It was a hit with parents and kids alike. Have a wonderful party! p.s. I want to make snow globes now.
@Jana – the snow globes are surprisingly easy and i found all of the supplies at Michael’s.
I love the snow globe project (and I want to make a bunch for myself). Warning though: If you picked up a bag of 21 Lemax trees at Michaels like I did last week, they will make the water in your snow globes turn blue! I’m hoping that I can rinse off the trees and it won’t happen in the rest that I make, but it was a little frustrating when the water started changing color.
@Ryan – thanks for the warning! I’ll double check the figurines and maybe give them all a pre-soak first. I also saw another comment on a different post that said her water went cloudy. Will you let know how these turn out. It’s always a bit of a gamble!
Wow. All sounds wonderful. Can’t wait!
Sounds like Henry and his friends are in for a fun and memorable time.
3 and 4 year olds move through crafts a lot faster than you think (at least they always did at the parties we hosted for my kids). Making paper snowflakes is a simple and inexpensive craft and relatively safe with children’s scissors.
Looks like it’s going to be the perfect winter wonderland! I too am going to try my hand at Martha’s snow globes for 8 young ones…fingers crossed that they turn out!
it sounds so very lovely. and your images are just eye candy. i’m sticking to the opinion that celebrating a small person – well, any person, is so important, and if it fills you up, why not? it’s the collection of celebrated moments that will help keep him knowing he’s special:)
You are very brave Emma to contemplate such gooey pastimes for little ones
I wish you luck!
Isnt’ pinterest great for inspiration. What did we do before we had it?
Have a lovely weekend.
xx
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