Idaho is finally giving us hints that spring is here, and the season of fun starts now! Now is the perfect time for gatherings of all sorts, barbecues, and birthday parties.
I don’t know about you, but ever since I became a mom, there’s been a lot more pressure about parties. With Pinterest and Instagram pages full of party inspiration, we want it all: elaborate themes, decorations, and all the pretty food. Not only do we feel like we have to do all this work by ourselves, we feel like we have to spend hundreds to get there. It seems impossible to have the pretty and delicious parties of our dreams.
This is why I have sworn off elaborate kid’s birthday parties and fancy feasts. I have decided that my motto is “sweet and simple”…which translates to “good enough and easy”. If you’re into that, join me in my quest for an easier, sweeter, and happier way to party plan.
Firstly, never forget the alternatives.
Our birthday party guide has all the information you need to outsource an entire kid’s birthday, down to the theme and food. There are plenty of other places in town happy to host and cater adult parties, wedding or baby showers, luncheons, and more. No matter what, you always have other options rather than throwing your event at your home all by yourself. And no guest will bat an eye!
Where is your sweet spot?
What is your top priority for the event? What part really gives you joy when your guests are enjoying the party? If you enjoy baking cakes from scratch or creating a delicious charcuterie board, or handmade decorations are your thing, its ok to only put your time and energy on that one thing. Outsource or delegate everything else. Maybe you know someone who makes delicious cakes, your sister makes a killer charcuterie board, or you buy a decoration set instead of doing it yourself.
Keep. It. Simple.
(aka easy)
- Meat, cheese, fruit, and veggie trays from the deli are just fine and please everyone. Premade dip and a box of crackers can still be impressive on a nice platter. Even a fresh sandwich tray can go far!
- Ask family members or close friends if they would mind bringing a dish to share, even if it is store bought. Chances are they won’t mind and they would be happy to contribute!
- Cake can be messy and inconvenient…there are easier and more fun substitutes if you’re wanting to swap! Cupcakes, donuts, brownies, a cookie pizza, and cinnamon rolls are a few alternatives.
- Focus on one area to decorate, and it can also double as a background for photos.
- Speaking of photos, setting it up like a photo booth area with props counts as an activity, in my opinion. Another simple activity is having your guests write a nice message for the person being celebrated. Anything that can be written on can be used…the more unique, the better. Ideas: a book, a t shirt, a photo frame, a printed ready-to-hang photo.
- Sturdy clear plastic cups and utensils feel nicer than white or styrofoam. Plates are fun when they are colored or themed. Just keep it plain with napkins…those printed ones are cute but aren’t even absorbent.
- One grocery store bouquet of flowers can be cut down and put in enough jars or vases to decorate a whole buffet line. They are simple, but bring a fancier feel.
- Use large rolls of kraft paper (cut sheets yourself at Zurchers) to cover tables because it looks nicer than cheap plastic tablecloths, you can just tape it down, plus it can double as an activity by adding some crayons.
- To have a cohesive party theme, all you really need is a good color scheme and a just a few items that portray your theme. For example, if your kid is obsessed with Cars like mine, have Cars plates and a maybe poster, with the rest simply decorated in red, black and yellow. Solid color decorations are easier to find and cheaper than themed items. Not only that, but it avoids seeing a cartoon characters face plastered on every single item, which can bring a classier feel for the adults present.
- Target has had a little birthday section in the Dollar Spot for the last few months. The color schemes and patterns all match and the posters are very cute and well designed. I got almost everything for my son’s birthday from that section!
- Just ask for help if you need it!
What really matters?
At the end of the day, no matter the event, it isn’t truly about the party itself, it is about the event or celebration. It is about enjoying each other’s company, having conversations, and celebrating. It also matters that you, the one who put it all together, gets a chance to sit back and enjoy your work. Keeping it simple gives you the ability to do that.
“People will forget the things you do, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
