9/28/09

Easy Beaded Necklace Party!



I was so impressed with how my cousin, Jess, threw this inexpensive party for her one-year-old, Emma.

Why didn't I think of these things when my kids were little? I still remember having Elliot's 1st birthday party.  At the end of the night, he was exhausted by so much excitement and so many people crammed into our house, he put his little head down on his rocking chair and sobbed. He was pooped, and I was exhausted!

Jess's story goes like this:

Since we have such a large family and Chad is a pastor at our church, we had MANY friends to invite. I knew that I would not enjoy the party if it was at my home and I would have to fuss over extra details, so we made plans to have it at the Fountains downtown. Now the kids could play until their little hearts were content, and there was plenty of room for everyone.


  
THE CRAFT
As people felt inspired to do so, I asked them to paint a small wooden bead that I would later string as a necklace for Emma. 

MY INSPIRATION
My Mom had made a necklace similar to this when I was Emma's age and Emma loves to play with it, so I figured that she needed one of her own. The craft was a huge success and I actually ended up making two necklaces because there were so many beads!



THE FOOD
I asked a good friend of mine to help bake and frost cupcakes with me. She spoiled me and took on the entire project herself so that I could spend time with family that came to town for that weekend. My mom brought brownies and we had chips and strawberry lemonade.



THE PARTY FAVOR
I also made sugar cookies and baked them on sucker sticks and used them for party favors.
  


THE COST
I don't think I spent more than $20 on the entire party!

It was so easy, and we were able to just enjoy Emma being a whole year old and all of the friends and family who have loved and supported her thus far!

(Read what Emma's grandparents were up to earlier this summer, here.)

Winner to Barney Butter: Livinitfull and Little Home.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

What a cute idea! Thank you so much for sharing.

Gina said...

I love this idea! It's so easy to overdo it with parties-but this is a great reminder that simple is always best!

PollyS said...

I decided long ago that my kids' parties would be like a play date, just with more people and a little more food. I even ask that no gifts be brought (we want their presence, not their presents).
When we've gone to parties where the parents have gone overboard, we come home exhausted and cranky. And we're the guests! Imagine what the hosts feel like!
I LOVE Emma's mommy's ideas. I'll be using them myself.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

What a sweet party! :-)

Happy day Sandy!

Darcie said...

What an awesome birthday idea...truly so neat. Simple but yet so memorable...love it. I am trying to think of ideas for my daughters Sweet 16...I think it will start with the word...simple. Thanks for sharing.

Meredith said...

I love this!

Where did you buy the big wooden beads so inexpensively?

Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13 said...

Thank you for the reminder that it is okay to keep it simple!

alicia said...

I'm proud to claim her as my favorite sis-in-law! The party was great - distracted kiddos (playing in the fountain), yummy food, and very happy one-year-old :-)

Kirstin said...

VeRy cool!! I love that idea! When my oldest turned 11 we had a party with several of her friends and also many o the older youth and young adults from our church. I took a picture of her with each guest and then had them write something to her on a 3 x 5 card. I developed the pictures and put them along with the card in a small album! She loved the idea and actually a few years later threw a party for me and had people do the same for me...I still have the cards.

Smelling Coffee said...

What a great idea! I wish I had thought of that when my daughter was little, too! I'm going to try to remember that for grandchildren. (but hopefully that will be years and years away):-)

Stephen and Lacey said...

I love this idea.

Katybug said...

LOVE IT!!! This came a little late for my daughter's first birthday, but I can certainly save the idea for bday #2!!

Jess said...

Thanks Sandy! Her Birthday was tons of fun and worth every penny! Haha! Great job with the break down! Lots of Love!