Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

I really need to get a move on, and get the invites out (the party is going to be 8/14).

It's a Luau theme.

I have a few things in mind, but looking for some suggestions (between PG brain and working lots of OT, my brain is ... Done lol).


Some things i need ideas for:

Food
Entertainment
Theme "stuff"



For entertainment- looking for stuff for adults and kids. There will be a bunch of kids, but alot of adults that dont have kids- i want them to have just as much fun.

For food- debating on making some stuff ourselves, or having it catered, or hiring someone to BBQ- really all over the place lol

I think we're inviting around 85-90ish, so i'm assuming it would be around 60-70ish, since it's in the summer (if that makes a difference).


Anyone bored enough to want to plan?

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

What we did for Jack's 1st birthday party (June 28th)

Hired someone (not through a place, but personally) to come and BBQ for us. We got my cousins firehouse grill (it was huge) and paid his fireman friend to grill everything.

This saved us SO much money.

We made:
Burgers
Hotdogs
BBQ Chicken
London Broil
Sausage

We had a broccoli casserole, salad, orzo pasta, baked ziti, eggplant parm. There was a ton more, I don't remember since it was two years ago (I can try and search my posts bc I am sure I posted every last detail )

We got a cake made. I have an amazing woman who lives right by us if you want her info. Soooooo reasonable. She charged me 150 (Dortoni quoted me 800)

We had an ice cream bar (I bought two tubs from Baskin Robbins, had a ton of toppings)

For entertainment I had a bouncy house.

For favors I got buckets from Val. She did an amazing job.

Balloons for centerpieces.

Going to search my post now for some other things we did.

For theme related luau things I would go to oriental trading, they will have a TON of things for you to give out.

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

Thank you!


Yes- i started looking at Oriental Trading to get some ideas!

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

OMG, I just bumped Jack's First Birthday post and now I want to cry

As an aside, we had an edible arrangemnt too, and cookies, brownies, my aunt made a Tiramisu. It's all coming back to me now.

ETA: The cake looks tilted because I was supposed to put it in the fridge but didn't have any room - so the fondant got a little tipsy!

ETA: Just remembered from my honeymoon in Hawaii, you can do a Make your Own Lei activity. That is good for both the adults and kids. I would love that, and it's soooo easy to do I bet.

Message edited 6/25/2010 10:22:13 PM.

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

My suggestion is that you change the date so we can come

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

Posted by mrswask

My suggestion is that you change the date so we can come

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

Posted by neenie

Posted by mrswask

My suggestion is that you change the date so we can come

Blame Abby! If the kid had just come when she was actually due, you guys could've been there

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

They have a ton of luau themed decorations at Party City right now and Oriental Trading.

This seller in etsy will send you a pdf of all these decorations so you can print and assemble yourself



[L=http://www.etsy.com/listing/50224256/non-birthday-luau-party-hawaii-kit?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=luau+luau+invitations&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title]Decor[/L]

I searched Luau invites and these cute ones popped up







Cute labels for water bottles



You could get ones of these prints made that says Happy 1st Birthday and have everyone at the party sign it



[L=http://www.etsy.com/listing/50047640/5x7-matted-your-message-personalized?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=luau+decor&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title]Seller[/L]


Cute banner you can have customized



[L=http://www.etsy.com/listing/49678027/beachy-luau-aloha-banner?ref=sr_gallery_23&ga_search_query=luau+decor&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title]Seller[/L]

Cute outfit



[L=http://www.etsy.com/listing/50028316/hula-girl-tank-and-tutu-grass-skirt?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=luau+birthday+outfits&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title]Seller[/L]

There's also this tropical looking dress from Gymboree



and these from Janie & Jack

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

LOVE that grass skirt someone posted above!!

also wanted to add a suggestion for the entertainment...steel drum band
I had a luau for my college graduation and my parents hired one as a surprise...everyone loved it - children and adults

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

OMG Christine! I LOVE all of that stuff!!!


I was just searching for hours for invites and didn't see anything i liked. I need to spend more time on Etsy! lol



And, DH shot down the steel drum band idea. He's the worst father in the whole world

Re: Anyone want to help me plan DD's 1st birthday party?

Hi,

Here are some luao cake ideas if you don't have any yet.



http://media.cakecentral.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/533353/doraluau.jpg

Mary Ann