Selected as Party of the Day on April 25th!

Levi's Great Grow UP First Birthday

Angela J By Angela J  in Birthday

Drinks

Party Recap

Having a baby is an adventure, and that first year is full of milestones!

When we had Levi, we knew he would be our last baby, so we made sure to savor every moment of his first year. He is our third son, and I wanted to throw him a party that reflected how much he has grown UP this past year and also symbolize the fact that this house was finishing an era of baby boys!

I chose a simple color palette of baby blue, white and sepia/brown.
The theme of the party was "Levi's Great Grow UP" - sort of like Gulliver's Travels, baby style! I ordered Levi an adorable vintage themed outfit from Dress me up Cute and shot a few pre-birthday photos of him in a suitcase and also in a basket/hot air balloon.

The balloon/travel theme continued with the invitation, which featured a poem I wrote. I also brought the hot air balloon theme inside by transforming our dining room chandelier into the focal point of the room.
I wanted the party to feel bright and airy, so I covered a portion of the dark wood trim in our dining room with large foam board clouds and white billowy fabric. The windows were dressed with multiple circle garlands, made of various shades of baby blue. I strung buntings made up of a combination of vintage fabrics, and created a lattice backdrop, which I used to tuck in mementos such as Levi’s birth announcement and photos from his first year

Repurposed glass jars (including baby food jars!) took center stage on the simple table layout. Each jar housed a sepia photo from each month of Levi’s life. I also purchased a set of personalized wooden blocks from Little Sapling Toys which were used as a decoration. They are sure to be a cherished keepsake for years to come!

Because our dining room is lacking wall space, I chose to place the treat/deserts on a round table adjacent to the room. It featured the cake I painstakingly hand beaded in a lattice pattern, as well as various other goodies which the guests enjoyed.

The party had other subtle vintage touches, including a pair of my white baby shoes, a collection of vintage suitcase, and my grandmother’s antique pitcher which I used to serve the punch.

Levi had a great time at his party, and especially loved playing with and eating his birthday cake! He sent his guests home with a small box of cookies, complete with an adorable favor tag designed by Hello Love Designs.

I am a bit emotional that my baby is already one, but am happy I was able to throw him this party and will surely look back on the baby years with fond memories.

Idea

Party Highlights

  • Best Dressed

    LEvi, in his spiffy suspenders and hat from Dress me up Cute

  • Desserts

    A simple vanilla cake iced in blue and decorated in a lattice pattern with edible pearl beads

  • Activities / Games

    The guests took some time to look over all of the momentos and keepsakes that were displayed, and viewed the photo album, as well as the photos in the glass jars

  • Budget

    I did spend a bit more on this party than I typically do... but it was the last first birthday I will ever throw! I saved money by making all of the decorations myself, and I splurged on the outfit and specialty decorations such as party printables from Hello Love and the wooden blocks from Little Sapling Toys

  • Party Favors

    butter cookies and a photo of the birthday boy

  • Best Moment

    Dressing Levi up in his little vintage inspired outfit

  • What People Ate

    We ate a lovely sit down meal of chicken con' broccoli, salad and garlic breadsticks

  • What People Drank

    Grow up punch out of glass jars with paper straws

  • Most Touching Moment

    Seeing the interaction of 4 generations of LOVE!

  • Funniest Moment

    Seeing Levi eat his smash cake!

Hand

Party Helpers

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2 comments

  • Melissa M

    Melissa M wrote:

    I love this outfit!! Where is it from?

  • Sarah M

    Sarah M wrote:

    Beautiful party! I love the sentiment. I'm not going to lie, I teared up. I'm planning my last little boy's first birthday party.